Last Updated: May 12, 2026 · Source: UK Home Office — Health and Care Worker Visa and NHS Employers
TL;DR: The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is a sub-type of the Skilled Worker Visa for qualified nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and eligible adult social care workers. In 2026, key changes include: visa fees increased by 6.5% from April 8, 2026; care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) can no longer apply from overseas (closed from July 22, 2025); six previously eligible roles including dental nurses are no longer eligible; and nurses must earn at least GBP 25,000 per year or the NHS Agenda for Change going rate, whichever is higher. The visa lasts up to 5 years and leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years. Health and Care Visa holders pay reduced fees and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, saving thousands of pounds.
Nurses and healthcare professionals from Nepal are among the most actively recruited groups for UK health sector jobs. The UK has tens of thousands of NHS vacancies in nursing and allied health roles, and the Health and Care Worker Visa is designed to fill them from overseas talent. But the rules changed significantly in 2025 and 2026, and many Nepali nurses are applying under outdated information. This guide covers the exact 2026 requirements for nurses, the salary thresholds, the roles that are still eligible, what changed in April 2026, and the full step-by-step application process. If you are a Nepali professional also exploring agricultural work in the UK, see our guide on the UK Seasonal Work Visa from Nepal.
What is the UK Health and Care Worker Visa?
The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is a sub-type of the Skilled Worker Visa that offers reduced fees and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge for qualified medical professionals. It was launched in August 2020 to help the NHS and social care sector recruit internationally. Applicants must meet all the standard Skilled Worker Visa requirements: a job offer from a UK Home Office-approved sponsor employer, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a minimum salary at or above GBP 25,000 per year (or the going rate for your role, whichever is higher), and English language ability at CEFR Level B1. The key advantage over a standard Skilled Worker Visa is that the application fee is significantly lower (approximately GBP 232 for up to 3 years) and the IHS exemption saves the applicant approximately GBP 1,035 per year.
What roles are eligible for the Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026?
To qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa, your job must be in an eligible occupation listed under the UK government’s approved occupation codes. As of 2026, high-demand roles eligible for new overseas applications include:
| Role | SOC Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nurses (all specialties) | 2232–2237 | Fully eligible for new overseas applications |
| Doctors and surgeons | 2211–2217 | Fully eligible for new overseas applications |
| Midwives | 2231 | Fully eligible, NMC registration required |
| Pharmacists | 2213 | Eligible with GPhC registration |
| Allied health professionals (physios, OTs, radiographers) | Various 2219 codes | Eligible with HCPC registration |
| Care workers (SOC 6135) | 6135 | CLOSED for new overseas applicants from July 22, 2025 |
| Senior care workers (SOC 6136) | 6136 | CLOSED for new overseas applicants from July 22, 2025 |
| Dental nurses (SOC 6133) | 6133 | No longer eligible as of 2025 updates |
The closure of the care worker route for new overseas applicants is the most significant 2025 change. If you are a care worker who already held a visa before July 22, 2025, transitional arrangements allow you to extend or switch until July 22, 2028. But no new Nepali care workers can apply for this route from overseas. Qualified nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and allied health professionals remain fully eligible.
What are the salary requirements for nurses on the Health and Care Visa in 2026?
The salary requirement for nurses on the UK Health and Care Worker Visa depends on whether you are employed by the NHS on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scale, or by a private provider. According to Davidson Morris Immigration, the rules work as follows:
- For NHS-employed nurses: your salary must meet the published AfC pay band for your occupation. The National Living Wage and general Skilled Worker threshold (GBP 41,700) do not apply. The AfC band for a newly qualified nurse starts at around GBP 29,970 per year (Band 5, point 1).
- For private providers: you must earn at least GBP 25,000 per year or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher. The general Skilled Worker minimum of GBP 41,700 does not apply to Health and Care Visa roles.
- If your role is on the Immigration Salary List (ISL), you must still earn at least GBP 25,000 or the going rate, whichever is higher.
Salary discounts of 70% to 90% of the going rate may apply if you are under 26, recently graduated, in a STEM PhD role, or in a postdoctoral research position.
What are the English language requirements for nurses?
Nurses applying for the Health and Care Worker Visa must demonstrate English at CEFR Level B1 (or B2 for nursing registration purposes). If you are a nurse or midwife registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the NMC’s own English language assessment (IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no band below 7.0, or OET Grade B) is accepted as proof of language ability for the visa. You do not need to submit a separate English test if you have already passed an NMC-accepted English assessment. The NMC registration itself serves as evidence of your English level for the Home Office. Doctors, dentists, and nurses are specifically mentioned in the official guidance as being able to rely on professional body assessments for English.
Step-by-step: how to apply for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa as a nurse
The application process for a Nepali nurse applying for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa follows these steps in order:
- Secure a job offer from an approved UK sponsor. Only employers with a Home Office Skilled Worker sponsor licence can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship. NHS Trusts, private hospitals, and registered care providers are common sponsors. Use the NHS Jobs portal, private recruitment agencies, and NMC-registered nursing agencies.
- Get your NMC registration (or start the process). To work as a registered nurse in the UK, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The registration process includes a document check, English language test, and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Your employer typically sponsors you through a pre-registration arrangement while you complete the OSCE.
- Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer. The CoS reference number is valid for 3 months. Submit your visa application within this window.
- Apply online at the UK Visas and Immigration portal. Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before your job start date. Pay the reduced Health and Care Visa fee (approximately GBP 232 for up to 3 years or GBP 464 for more than 3 years). You are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Submit biometrics at VFS Global Kathmandu. Book an appointment at the VFS Global visa application centre in Kathmandu after submitting your online application.
- Receive your visa and travel. If approved, you will receive a vignette visa stamp. Travel to the UK and begin your employment and NMC registration process.
- Complete OSCE and full NMC registration in the UK. Most Nepali nurses arrive on a pre-registration period and complete their OSCE before obtaining full NMC registration and moving to their substantive nursing post.
How much does the UK Health and Care Worker Visa cost in 2026?
As of April 8, 2026, visa fees for the Health and Care Worker Visa increased by 6.5%. These fees are significantly lower than the standard Skilled Worker Visa and the IHS exemption is one of the most valuable financial benefits.
| Fee type | Health and Care Visa | Standard Skilled Worker Visa | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa application (up to 3 years) | ~GBP 247 | ~GBP 827 | Saving of ~GBP 580 |
| Visa application (3+ years) | ~GBP 479 | ~GBP 1,636 | Saving of ~GBP 1,157 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) | GBP 0 (exempt) | ~GBP 1,035/year | Saving of ~GBP 5,175 over 5 years |
| Dependant application (each) | ~GBP 247 (up to 3 yrs) | ~GBP 827 | Family members save significantly |
Amounts shown are approximate post-April 2026 fees. Always verify the current fee at the official visa fee table before applying, as fees are updated periodically.
Can Health and Care Visa holders get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Yes. The UK Health and Care Worker Visa leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of continuous legal residence in the UK. This applies as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements throughout your stay. According to Jobbatical’s 2026 overview, Health and Care Visa holders follow a 5-year continuous route to ILR, unlike most other Skilled Worker visa types which moved to a 10-year path from April 2026. This is a significant advantage for Nepali nurses planning to build a long-term career in the UK. After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nepali nurses still apply for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026?
Yes. Registered nurses, specialist nurses, and midwives remain fully eligible for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa in 2026. The route closed for care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) from July 22, 2025. If you are a qualified nurse registered with or working toward NMC registration, you can apply as long as you have a job offer from an approved UK sponsor and meet the salary and English requirements.
Do I need IELTS for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa as a nurse?
If you are applying as a nurse or midwife and have already completed the NMC’s English language assessment (IELTS Academic 7.0 in all bands, or OET Grade B), that assessment is accepted as proof of English ability for the Home Office and you do not need to take a separate test. If you have not yet gone through NMC registration, you will need to demonstrate English at CEFR B1 through an approved test such as IELTS, OET, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT.
What is the minimum salary for a Nepali nurse on the UK Health and Care Visa?
For NHS-employed nurses, the minimum is the Agenda for Change pay band for your role. A Band 5 newly qualified nurse starts at approximately GBP 29,970 per year (2026 AfC rates). For private employer-employed nurses, the minimum is GBP 25,000 per year or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher. General Skilled Worker thresholds (GBP 41,700) do not apply to the Health and Care route.
Can I bring my family to the UK on a Health and Care Visa?
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can apply to join you in the UK. They apply as dependants on your Health and Care Visa and are also exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. For care workers (SOC 6135 and 6136) who received their first visa before March 11, 2024, dependants can still join. For care workers who received their first visa after that date but before July 22, 2025, dependants are only allowed under specific conditions. For new applications, care workers are no longer eligible from overseas entirely.
How long is the UK Health and Care Worker Visa valid?
The Health and Care Worker Visa lasts for up to 5 years. You can extend it as many times as needed, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. After 5 years of continuous residence on this visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. There is no maximum number of extensions before ILR eligibility.
Official sources used in this article:
- UK Home Office — Health and Care Worker Visa: overview and eligibility
- UK Home Office — Health and Care Visa guidance (accessible version, updated July 2025)
- NHS Employers — Health and Care Visa guide for employers and applicants (2026)
- UK Home Office — Current visa fee table (updated April 8, 2026)