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Apply for Switching to a Health and Care Worker Visa UK

: Written by: Arshad Mahmood; Last Updated: 17 April 2026

You can apply to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa from inside the UK if you are already in the UK under a visa category that allows you to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa. You must meet all the relevant requirements as set out in Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Shortage Occupations List to succeed in your application for switching to a Health and Care Worker visa. For switching into a Health and Care Worker visa, you must be sponsored by the NHS, an NHS supplier or a care home to do an eligible job in the UK. Those applying for the Health and Care visa are exempt from the Immigration Health Charge and pay lower visa application fees.

Health and Care Visa applicants will pay the reduced application fees. The visa fee reduction applies to partners and dependants of Health and Care Visa applicants. In addition to the reduced visa fee, applicants for the Health and Care Visa and their family are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The Home Office UKVI will prioritise Health and Care Visa applications, aiming to have the vast majority processed within three weeks of the applicant providing their biometric information. There is dedicated support available, enabling Health and Care Visa sponsors to contact UKVI’s specialist team if they have any issues with the application process or eligibility for the Health and Care Visa. Sponsors can contact UKVI’s dedicated NHS team at the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Premium Solicitors, open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, are specialist UK immigration solicitors. The high quality of UK visa and immigration services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced SRA-regulated immigration solicitors is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients.

Free Immigration Advice For Health and Care Worker Visa

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide one-off, 5-minute free online immigration advice on your UK health and care worker visa application. Ask a question to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your application for a health and care worker visa UK.

Eligibility Requirements for Switching to a Health and Care Worker Visa

To be eligible for switching to a Health and Care Worker visa from inside the UK, you need to:

be in the UK with leave to enter or remain, from which switching into a Health and Care Worker visa is permitted by the Immigration Rules;
score 50 points from mandatory non-tradable points;
score at least 20 points from tradable points;
have funds for maintenance in the UK or your Health and Care Worker sponsor has certified your maintenance as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules;
meet the suitability criteria and not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal as set out in Appendix Part Sutiability of the Immigration Rules.

The employer is required to include a brief explanation in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that explains how the employee meets the Health and Care Visa eligibility requirements. The employer will also be responsible for informing the applicant that they are eligible for the Health and Care Visa so the applicant can correctly complete the visa application form. Where an employer is an organisation that provides services commissioned by the NHS, evidence of the contract arrangements with the NHS may need to be provided to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof that applicants are eligible to apply for a Health and Care Visa.

Eligible Occupation Codes For Health and Care Worker Visa

You can apply for a Health and Care Worker visa if your job is in one of the following occupation codes:

1171: health services and public health managers and directors
1232: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
2114: physical scientists
2211: generalist medical practitioners
2212: specialist medical practitioners
2221: physiotherapists
2222: occupational therapists
2223: speech and language therapists
2224: psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists
2225: clinical psychologists
2226: other psychologists
2229: therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
2231: midwifery nurses
2232: registered community nurses
2233: registered specialist nurses
2234: registered nurse practitioners
2235: registered mental health nurses
2236: registered children’s nurses
2237: other registered nursing professionals
2251: pharmacists
2252: optometrists
2253: dental practitioners
2254: medical radiographers
2255: paramedics
2256: podiatrists
2259: other health professionals not elsewhere classified
2461: social workers
3111: laboratory technicians
3212: pharmaceutical technicians
6131: nursing auxiliaries and assistants
6135: Care workers and home carers (in-country applications only)
6136: Senior care workers (in-country applications only)

Approved UK Health and Care Sector Employers

You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer holding a sponsor licence before you apply for a Health and Care Worker visa. Approved employers are also known as sponsors, because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK. You must have a job offer from:

the NHS
an organisation providing medical services to the NHS
an organisation providing adult social care

If your employer is not currently approved, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they are eligible. Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can help your employer with an application for a Health and Care Worker Sponsor Licence.

Salary Requirements for Skilled Worker Visa

To succeed in the Skilled Worker visa application, the applicant must score 50 points from mandatory non-tradeable points and at least 20 points from tradeable points.

Mandatory Non-Tradeable Points For Skilled Worker Visa

The applicant must score 50 mandatory non-tradeable points to succeed in an application for a Skilled Worker visa, and the remaining 20 points can be scored from tradeable points. The mandatory non-tradeable points are given in the table below:

Characterstics	Points
Sponsorship	20
Job at an appropriate skill level	20
English language	10

Tradeable Points For Skilled Worker Visa UK

The application process for skilled worker visas asks applicants and sponsors to provide all relevant information that might attract tradeable points. Applicants can score tradeable points in more than one way (although they cannot mix and match different options). To secure a successful skilled worker visa, an applicant must amass 20 tradeable points. These points can be acquired through various options, each offering its own set of criteria for point allocation. However, please note that the applicant can claim 20 points from only one of the available options.

The applicant must be awarded 20 points from one of the options in the table below, and for the purpose of meeting these points:

(a) An applicant can only be awarded points from options A to E, unless they meet the requirements in (b) or (c).

(b) An applicant can only be awarded points from options F to J if:

(i) they are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job; or
(ii) the date of application is before 4 April 2030, they were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).

(c) An applicant can only be awarded points from option K if they are being sponsored for a job in an appropriate eligible SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 3 or Table 3a of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

Salary Requirements Under Options A to E

The salary requirements for skilled worker visa under options A to E changed from 22 July 2025. Various options to score 20 tradeable points for meeting the salary requirement as per the new skilled worker visa rules, effective from 22 July 2025, for a skilled worker visa UK are as follows:

Meeting Salary Requirements Under Option A

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option A in accordance with the requirements of paragraph SW8.1 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules, the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

£41,700 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code, as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option B (PhD in a Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option B as per the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to SW9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£37,500 per year; and
90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option C (PhD in a STEM Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option C according to the requirements of paragraphs SW10.1 to SW10.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£33,400 per year; and
80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option D (Job On The Immigration Salary List)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option D in accordance with the requirements of SW11.1 to SW11.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£33,4000 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option E (New Entrant)

The applicant can score 20 tradeable points under Option E as per the requirements of SW12.1 to 12.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£33,400 per year and
70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 1 or Table 1a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Salary Requirements Under Options F to J

An applicant for a skilled worker visa can only be awarded 20 points from options F to J if:

They are being sponsored for a Health and Care ASHE salary job; or
The date of application is before 4 April 2030, they were granted permission as a Skilled Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Skilled Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded).

The salary requirements for skilled worker visa under options F to J changed from 22 July 2025. Various options to score 20 tradeable points for meeting the salary requirement as per the new skilled worker visa rules, effective from 22 July 2025, for a skilled worker visa UK are as follows:

Meeting Salary Requirement With Option F

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option F as per the requirements of SW8.1 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant’s salary equals or exceeds both:

£31,300 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option G (PhD in a Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option G in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to 9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£28,200 per year; and
90% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option H (PhD in a STEM Subject Relevant To The Job)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 points under Option H in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs SW9.1 to 9.4 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant has a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year; and
80% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option I (Job On The Immigration Salary List)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option I in accordance with the requirements of SW11.1 to SW11.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job on the Immigration Salary List and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year; and
the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option J (New Entrant)

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa can score 20 tradeable points under Option E as per the requirements of SW12.1 to 12.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is a new entrant at the start of their career and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year and
70% of the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 2, Table 2aa or Table 2a of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Option K (Job in a Listed Health or Education Occupation)

Some health and education occupation codes are listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations. The going rates for these occupations are taken from national pay scales, and no discounts to the going rates are available. If an applicant is being sponsored in an occupation code in Table 3, they can only score tradeable points based on option K.

The applicant applying for a skilled worker visa UK can score 20 tradeable points under Option K in accordance with requirements of SW13.1 to 13.3 of Appendix Skilled Worker of the Immigration Rules if the applicant is being sponsored for a job in a listed health or education occupation and their salary equals or exceeds both:

£25,000 per year; and
The going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code as set out in Table 3, 3a, 4 or 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations of the Immigration Rules.

Who Cannot Switch to a Health and Care Worker Visa?

You cannot apply to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa from inside the UK if you are currently in the UK:

on a visit visa
on a short-term student visa
on a Parent of a Child Student visa
on a seasonal worker visa
on a domestic worker in a private household visa
on immigration bail
because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example, on compassionate grounds

You must leave the UK and apply for a Health and Care Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.

Requirements for a Student Switching to a Health and Care Worker Visa

According to changes to the Immigration Rules introduced on 17 July 2023, a student switching to a health and care worker visa from inside the UK must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:

Condition A:

the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or

Condition B:

the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
the Certificate of Sponsorship must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or

Condition C:

the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
the Certificate of Sponsorship must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

Financial Requirement (Mandatory) For A Skilled Worker

If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application, either:

the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270 and the the applicant must show that they have held the required funds for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance; or
the applicant’s A-rated sponsor must certify that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment, to an amount of at least £1,270.

Period and Conditions of Grant for Health and Care Worker Visa

The applicant will be granted leave to remain as a Health and Care Worker until 14 days after the end date of their certificate of sponsorship (which may be up to a maximum of 5 years after the start date of their certificate of sponsorship).

The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:

no access to public funds; and
work is permitted only in the job the applicant is being sponsored for; and
supplementary employment is permitted, providing the person continues to work in the job for which they are being sponsored; and
voluntary work is permitted; and
working out a contractual notice period is permitted, for a job the applicant was lawfully working in on the date of application; and
study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.

Priority & Super Priority Service

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide a fast-track visa service to get you a decision on your application faster through the Priority Service or Super Priority Service. This way, you will get a decision on your application faster and will not have to wait months (sometimes years).

Our fast track immigration solicitors can prepare your application faster and submit your application under the Priority Service or Super Priority Service to get you faster decision on your application.

As specialist immigration solicitors in London, we are registered with the Home Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), to provide Priority Service or Super Priority Service for your application, which means a decision on your application will be made by UKVI faster. An application submitted through Priority Service is normally decided within 5 working days, and an application submitted through Super Priority Service is normally decided within 24 hours (usually by the end of the next working day).

How Can We Assist with Switching to a Health and Care Worker Visa?

Our specialist team of health and care worker visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation for your application to switch to a health and care worker visa on a fixed-fee basis. Our health and care worker visa solicitors can legally represent you in your application for switching to a health and care worker visa and carry out all the work on your application until a decision by the Home Office UKVI on your Health and Care Worker Visa application. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your application for switching to a health and care worker visa will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our health and care worker visa solicitors will advise you on the relevant requirements you must meet for your application to switch to a health and care worker visa to be successful.

Documentary advice: Our health and care worker visa solicitors will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to submit with your application to switch to a health and care worker visa.

Assessing documents: Our Health and Care Worker Visa lawyers will review your documents to ensure that all the evidence you provide in support of your application to switch to a health and care worker visa complies with the immigration rules.

Completing the application form: Our Health and Care Worker Visa lawyers will complete the relevant application form for your application to switch to a health and care worker visa.

Priority or Super Priority Service: If required, our Health and Care Worker Visa lawyers will submit your application to switch to a health and care worker visa online through the Priority/Super Priority service to expedite the decision.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After submitting your online application for switching to a health and care worker visa, our Health and Care Worker Visa lawyers will book an appointment with the application centre for you to enrol in biometrics.

Detailed Cover Letter: Our specialist team of health and care worker visa solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter to support your application to switch to a health and care worker visa. This letter explains the relevant legal requirements for your application to be approved by the UKVI.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our Health and Care Worker Visa lawyers will upload all supporting documents online to support your application to switch to a Health and Care Worker visa.

Follow-up work: Our Health and Care Worker Visa lawyers will conduct all necessary follow-up work until the Home Office UKVI has decided on your application to switch to a health and care worker visa.

Specialist Health and Care Worker Visa Solicitors in the UK

Our committed team of health and care worker visa solicitors possesses in-depth expertise in UK immigration law, with a specific focus on the health and care worker visa pathway. We are well-versed in the nuances of securing this visa and stay up to date with the latest regulations and requirements, providing precise guidance to our clients. Our immigration solicitors specialise in Health and Care Worker Visa applications, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of managing such cases effectively. We provide prompt, accessible, and reliable fixed-fee immigration advice and legal assistance customised to meet the requirements of your UK Health and Care Worker Visa application.

Premium Solicitors are specialist solicitors for Health and Care Worker Visa applications. The high quality of the services provided by our best team of fully qualified and experienced health and care worker visa solicitors is evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating earned by 99% of our clients.