In case you’re a healthcare skilled planning your transfer to the UK or an NHS-linked employer making an attempt to safe expertise rapidly, the Well being and Care Employee visa will be probably the most cost-effective and streamlined route out there. But it surely’s additionally some of the tightly policed visa classes, with frequent rule modifications and strict checks round job codes, wage and sponsorship.
Lexvisa’s specialist immigration solicitors in London assist candidates and sponsors get this proper first time. We deal with technique, proof and compliance so that you don’t lose time, cash, or alternative.
What’s the Well being and Care Employee visa within the UK?
The Well being and Care Employee visa is a part of the UK’s Expert Employee system, designed particularly for eligible well being and care roles sponsored by an accredited UK employer (for instance, the NHS, an NHS provider, or an eligible grownup social care supplier).
The route is standard as a result of it may be cheaper than an ordinary Expert Employee visa and comes with sensible advantages for a lot of candidates, together with the Immigration Well being Surcharge exemption for eligible candidates.
How Lexvisa helps: our knowledgeable immigration workforce checks that your position, sponsor and paperwork match the Residence Workplace framework earlier than you submit so that you apply with confidence, not guesswork.
Who’s eligible for a Well being and Care Employee visa in 2026?
Eligibility is constructed round three pillars:
- A real job supply in an eligible well being/care position
- Sponsorship from an accredited UK employer
- Assembly the precise wage guidelines to your occupation code
A key level many candidates miss: wage necessities can differ relying in your occupation code. The Residence Workplace lists the occupation codes the place “completely different wage necessities” apply (together with healthcare managers, lab technicians, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and sure care roles).
Why Lexvisa: eligibility isn’t just concerning the job title. UKVI appears to be like on the duties, the SOC code choice and the wage construction. Our specialists construct a robust, constant software narrative so your case stands as much as scrutiny.
What’s the minimal wage for the Well being and Care Employee visa in 2026?
There isn’t one single wage determine that matches each applicant. The Residence Workplace applies wage guidelines by position and occupation code and a few roles have completely different wage necessities.
In apply, you have to be paid consistent with the related guidelines to your particular occupation code and the visa necessities for the route. In case you’re uncertain which rule applies to you, it’s price getting this checked correctly earlier than your sponsor assigns the Certificates of Sponsorship.
Lexvisa benefit: our specialist immigration workforce critiques your CoS particulars, wage breakdown (together with allowances the place related) and job code alignment to cut back refusal threat.
Can care employees nonetheless apply for the Well being and Care Employee visa after July 2025?
For many new abroad candidates, no. From 22 July 2025, entry clearance for care employees and senior care employees (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) is closed, that means new abroad recruitment underneath these codes will not be out there.
There are restricted transitional choices for in-country instances and the foundations are slim and time-limited. You must take recommendation early if:
- you might be already within the UK and want to increase
- you might be switching routes
- your employer believes transitional preparations apply
Lexvisa can assess your choices rapidly and inform you the most secure route ahead, together with whether or not another visa technique is extra life like.
Are you able to carry dependants on a Well being and Care Employee visa?
In lots of instances, sure. Your accomplice and youngsters can usually apply as dependants in the event that they meet the Residence Workplace standards.
Nevertheless, there are particular restrictions for care employee and senior care employee occupation codes. The Residence Workplace units out the situations and limitations in its dependant steerage, together with when dependants can apply and once they can not.
Why instruct Lexvisa: dependant purposes are a typical refusal level due to timing, relationship proof, upkeep documentation and misunderstanding the restrictions. We put together the primary and dependant purposes as one joined-up technique.
How a lot does a Well being and Care Employee visa price?
The Residence Workplace price is determined by the size of sponsorship:
- as much as 3 years: £304
- greater than 3 years: £590
One of many largest price advantages is that eligible candidates are exempt from the Immigration Well being Surcharge underneath this route.
Lexvisa tip: an avoidable refusal can price way over the appliance price when you consider delays, re-application and employment disruption. Our specialist immigration workforce focuses on prevention by means of sturdy proof, appropriate job coding and constant documentation.
How lengthy does the Well being and Care Employee visa take to course of?
Processing occasions can fluctuate based mostly on the place you apply from, biometrics/ID verification and whether or not UKVI raises questions. The Well being and Care Employee visa is designed to assist quicker processing than commonplace work routes in lots of instances, however pace relies upon closely on submitting a clear, full software.
If timing issues (begin dates, rota planning, relocation home windows), Lexvisa can prioritise the appliance construct so that you’re not scrambling on the final minute.
Does the Well being and Care Employee visa result in settlement (ILR)?
For a lot of healthcare professionals, the Well being and Care Employee visa will be a part of a longer-term plan to settle within the UK, topic to assembly the foundations on lawful residence, absences, wage and different necessities.
Lexvisa method: we don’t simply file the following software, we assist you plan the route. If ILR is your objective, we construction selections now (sponsor historical past, position modifications, dependant timing) to guard the larger image.
Why select Lexvisa to your Well being and Care Employee visa?
Lexvisa is a number one London regulation agency with a specialist immigration apply. Shoppers instruct us as a result of they need:
- A transparent sure/no evaluation of eligibility earlier than cash is spent
- A rigorously ready software that anticipates Residence Workplace considerations
- Assist for employers and candidates, together with sponsor-related checks
- Assured dealing with of complicated instances: dependants, switches, extensions and transitional care employee points
If you need your software dealt with by an knowledgeable immigration workforce that understands the healthcare sector and UKVI decision-making, we’re prepared to assist.
FAQ: Well being and Care Employee Visa UK (2026)
How do I do know if my job is eligible for the Well being and Care Employee visa?
Eligibility is determined by your occupation code, your sponsor kind and whether or not your position falls underneath the eligible framework for this route. In case your wage guidelines fall underneath “completely different wage necessities”, the small print have to be checked rigorously.
Can my partner work within the UK as my dependant?
Dependants who’re granted permission can often work, however eligibility and restrictions can rely on the primary applicant’s occupation code and the precise dependant guidelines.
Are care employees nonetheless eligible for the Well being and Care Employee visa in 2026?
New abroad care employee sponsorship underneath occupation codes 6135 and 6136 is closed from 22 July 2025, with solely restricted transitional in-country choices in particular circumstances.
How a lot is the Well being and Care Employee visa price?
£304 for as much as 3 years, or £590 for greater than 3 years and eligible candidates are exempt from the Immigration Well being Surcharge.
What if my wage or job particulars don’t match the occupation code?
It is a frequent motive for delay or refusal. Lexvisa’s specialist immigration workforce can evaluate the position description, SOC code alignment and wage construction earlier than submission to cut back threat.
Contact Us
For skilled steerage and help together with your software, contact our immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or full our contact type.
