<p>The ‘<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa" target="_blank">Health and Care Worker visa</a>’ was created to allow qualified healthcare professionals to work in the UK healthcare sector due to their <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://eminetra.co.uk/trueprofile-io-promotes-recruitment-of-overseas-nurses-for-britannia-healthcare/693151/" target="_blank">growing skills shortage</a>. If you meet the eligibility requirements to <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/part-one-nursing-in-the-uk-why-make-the-move" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work in the UK</a>, you can apply for the UK’s ‘Health and Care Worker Visa’. This article discusses application requirements, visa benefits, and additional information you will need to apply for the UK’s ‘Health and Care Worker Visa’. </p>
<h2>What is the ‘Health and Care Worker visa’?</h2>
<p>The ‘Health and Care Worker visa’ is a cheaper, quicker and easier way for healthcare professionals from anywhere in the world to work in the UK. People eligible for the visa can live and work in the UK, and if needed, they can <a href="https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-partner-and-children" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bring their dependents to the UK</a> with them.</p>
<h2>How much does a ‘Health and Care Worker visa’ cost?</h2>
<p>This visa also makes living and working in the UK more affordable than other visa application routes. For instance, a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Health and Care Worker visa’ for up to three years costs £232</a> while a visa for longer than three years costs £464.</p>
<h2>The ‘Skilled Worker visa’</h2>
<p>A ‘Health and Care Worker visa’ is not the only way to work as a healthcare professional in the UK. You can also obtain a ‘<a href="https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/if-you-work-in-healthcare-or-education" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skilled Worker visa</a>‘ if you have <a href="https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/support-topics/understanding-our-qualifications/framework-rqf.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regulated Qualifications Framework (RFQ</a>) level 3 or above in an eligible profession and are going to the UK to work for a sponsoring business. </p>
<h2>‘Skilled Worker Visa’ Eligibility Requirements:</h2>
<ul><li>Have a job offer from a UK employer</li><li>The job offer must be in an <a href="https://onsdigital.github.io/dp-classification-tools/standard-occupational-classification/ONS_SOC_occupation_coding_tool.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eligible occupation</a> </li><li>You must meet the required skill level</li><li>You meet the minimum salary requirements</li><li>You meet the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">English language requirements </a></li><li>You can <a href="https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">financially support</a> yourself while in the UK (you have at least £1,270 in your bank account)</li><li>Your UK employer is approved on the list of licensed sponsors by the Home Office </li><li>Your employer issued you a valid certificate of sponsorship</li></ul>
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<p>Between the two visa types, a ‘Health and Care Worker visa’ offers more advantages due to the reduced visa fees, fast-track entry, and dedicated support, which allows you to move into the UK with your family. The ‘Health and Care Worker visa’ also exempts you from the <a href="https://www.rcn.org.uk/get-help/member-support-services/immigration-advice-service/health-and-care-visas-and-the-immigration-health-surcharge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Immigration Health Surcharge</a>. </p>
<h2>Eligibility for the ‘Health and Care Worker Visa’</h2>
<p>This visa is not available to everyone. Only applicants from the following occupations list can apply for the UK’s ‘Health and Care Worker Visa’.</p>
<ul><li>1181: health services and public health managers and directors</li><li>1242: residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors</li><li>2112: biological scientists and biochemists</li><li>2113: physical scientists</li><li>2211: medical practitioners</li><li>2212: psychologists</li><li>2213: pharmacists</li><li>2214: ophthalmic opticians</li><li>2215: dental practitioners</li><li>2217: medical radiographers</li><li>2218: podiatrists</li><li>2219: health professionals that are ‘not elsewhere classified’, such as audiologists and occupational health advisers</li><li>2221: physiotherapists</li><li>2222: occupational therapists</li><li>2223: speech and language therapists</li><li>2229: therapy professionals that are ‘not elsewhere classified’, such as osteopaths and psychotherapists</li><li>2231: nurses</li><li>2232: midwives</li><li>2442: social workers</li><li>3111: laboratory technicians</li><li>3213: paramedics</li><li>3216: dispensing opticians</li><li>3217: pharmaceutical technicians</li><li>3218: medical and dental technicians</li><li>3219: health associate professionals not elsewhere classified</li><li>6141: nursing auxiliaries and assistants</li><li>6143: dental nurses</li><li>6146: senior care workers</li></ul>
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<p>You can find a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-job" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complete list of approved professions</a> when registering for your visa. If you are a skilled worker applying for the ‘Health and Care Worker visa’, you must work in the above occupations. You must also be engaged with an <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHS-commissioned service provider</a> or an NHS body or <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/pages/nhstrustlisting.aspx">trust</a>. If you do not meet these conditions, you can still apply for a ‘Skilled Worker visa’. </p>
<h2>Document Requirements for the ‘Health and Care Worker visa’</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_170806586-1024x535.jpg" alt="Document Requirements for the ‘Health and Care Worker visa’" class="wp-image-12363" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_170806586-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_170806586-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_170806586-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/09/shutterstock_170806586.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Document Requirements for the ‘Health and Care Worker visa’</figcaption></figure>
<p>In addition to the eligible professions, you must provide required supporting documentation, which serves as verification for your ‘Health and Care Worker visa’ application. </p>
<p><strong>Some of the supporting documents you need include:</strong></p>
<ul><li>A certificate of sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor. Approved employers (sponsors) are either the NHS, organizations providing medical services to the NHS, or organizations offering adult social care. The certificate contains a unique reference number that you will use when <a href="https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/live-in-crown-dependency/skilled_worker_out_uk?uid=cea475d0-1ad0-4081-8bac-440430d4c180" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">applying on the Home Office website</a> </li><li>A job offer with the relevant salary threshold. Different salary requirements are dependent on the occupation code</li><li>Enough <a href="https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">savings to support yourself in the UK</a> (you must have at least £1270 in your account for a minimum of 28 days before the date of your visa application)</li><li>A good understanding of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">English language</a>. You can prove your knowledge of English by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approved provider</a>. Certified doctors and nurses can prove their knowledge of English using their <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/passing-ielts-healthcare-employment-overseas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IELTS</a></li><li>Proof that you can travel abroad by submitting a valid passport or travel document and expired passports or travel documents to show travel history over the past 5 years</li><li>Depending on your country of origin, a tuberculosis test</li><li>Provide your criminal record for the country you’ve been living in for at least twelve months in the last ten years </li></ul>
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<p>If you meet the eligibility criteria, go to <a href="http://www.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.gov.uk</a>, the Home Office website, to <a href="https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/live-in-crown-dependency/skilled_worker_out_uk?uid=7230ab62-99f1-4748-971d-504af7d90c58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">begin your application</a>. <strong>Note:</strong> <em>you must apply for the visa within three months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.</em> If you do not have a certificate of sponsorship already, apply for a healthcare job by visiting <a href="https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHS Jobs</a> or<a href="https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Health Careers NHS</a>.</p>
<p>Once you have applied and received the certificate of sponsorship, proceed to <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueproofs-what-can-you-do-with-your-verified-documents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gather all the requirements and documents</a> to support your application. </p>
<p>Proceed online to fill in the relevant details about your country of origin so you can learn where to provide your biometrics. Fill out the application form and pay the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visa fee</a>. Next, register your email address and answer any questions that are asked. </p>
<p>Upload the required documents and create an appointment at the nearest visa application center, where your biometrics will be taken. </p>
<p>If you have dependents or a partner, you can apply for visas for each of your eligible children and partner. </p>
<p>‘Health and Care Worker visas’ are fast-tracked, meaning they get higher priority during the review process. You can expect to receive a response within three weeks after providing your biometrics. </p>
<h2>Working in the UK</h2>
<p>Amidst the pandemic, health workers are in high demand globally. Countries like the UK have created the ‘Health and Care Worker visa’ to allow eligible international healthcare professionals to <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/part-two-nursing-in-the-uk-preparation-application-costs-and-visas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apply for visas to work</a> in the country. If you meet the eligibility criteria, fill out your visa application and kick start your career overseas. </p>
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<h4>Ready to work in the UK? Kickstart your visa application with <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueproofs-what-can-you-do-with-your-verified-documents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">verified credentials</a> and a complete Digital CV page!</h4>
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