Who the Health and Care visa is for
- Doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, pharmacists, radiographers, physiotherapists and other eligible health professionals.
- Jobs with the NHS, NHS suppliers, or eligible social care employers.
- Applicants with a job offer from a licensed sponsor at a qualifying salary. Many NHS roles are paid on national pay scales, which have their own salary rules.
What changed for care workers
Since 22 July 2025, employers can't sponsor new care workers or senior care workers from overseas. People already in the UK can still switch into these roles until 22 July 2028, but only if they have worked legally for that employer for at least three months first. Be very wary of anyone offering a sponsored care job from abroad now.
Getting ready to apply
- Start professional registration early: the NMC for nurses and midwives, the GMC for doctors, the HCPC for many allied health roles.
- Use a UK-format CV with your registration status, clinical areas and years of practice near the top.
- Apply directly to NHS trusts and health boards. Many run international recruitment programmes and say so in the advert.
- Check that the employer is a licensed sponsor and that the role is graded at a level that qualifies.