Visa Assistance
Type of Visa for Healthcare professionals
If you work in a healthcare setting outside the United Kingdom, there is an opportunity for you to work with a public or private hospital in the UK. Besides other requirements you may need to make this a reality, visa acquisition is concerned.
To come to the UK to do an eligible job with an approved worker, you need a Skilled Worker Visa. This type of visa is currently known as Tier 2 work visa or in other words, Health and Care Worker Visa for healthcare professionals.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa (Health and Care Worker Visa), you must;
Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional.
Be working in eligible health or social care job.
Work for a UK employer certified by the Home Office
Be issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) by your employer stating details about the role you have been offered in the UK.
Be paid a minimum salary- depending on the employment standard.
Have a confirmed job offer before you apply for this visa.
Be able to speak, read, write and understand English
Benefits of the Visa
1. How Long the Visa Last
The health and care worker visa is valid for 5 years. To put it differently, your visa can last for up to 5 years after which there will be the need to extend it or update it if you want to change jobs or employers. This type of visa can be extended numerous times as long as you still meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Indefinite Leave to Remain
Health professionals on the Health and Care Worker visa will be able to apply to live permanently in the UK after 5 years. This is known as an ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain'. This mandates you to settle, work and study in the UK for as long as you wish and enjoy the benefits you are eligible for.
3. Free Healthcare surcharge
A Healthcare surcharge is a mandatory fee charged on visas so that applicants coming to the UK for 6 months or longer can access the National Health Service (NHS). One benefit of the Health and Care Worker visa is that you and your partner or children will not have to pay the healthcare surcharge, eventually reducing visa costs.
4. Dependants benefit
Health professional on this type of visa can bring their partners and children with them as dependents. Read more information about it here.
Cost of Visa for Healthcare Professionals
The cost of standard application depends on two factors;
- The number of persons you are applying for; you only, or your partner and/or children
- The number of years of stay in the UK
Intending to stay in the UK for up to 3 years, the visa cost is worth £232 per person and for more than 3 years, £464 per person.
In most instances, the employer will pay the application fee on your behalf. However, at times, an applicant will have to foot the bill and later be reimbursed once in the UK.
How to Apply for a Health and Care Worker visa
Before you apply for this visa, be sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. You should be issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) by your employer, have a valid passport, and other documents you might need include;
- Evidence that you have appreciable personal savings to cater for yourself in the UK. This is not necessary if your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you.
- A tuberculosis test results if you are from a listed country
- A criminal record certificate where applicable
- Proof of your relationship with your partner or children if applying with you.
You must apply online for a Health and Care Worker visa. If applying from outside the UK, find out more information about the process here.
Visa Processing Time:
Your Certificate of Sponsorship will specify the date to start work in the UK. You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are to commence work. Once you apply online, you will be booked for an appointment to provide all the necessary documents.
After submission of the documents, you will get a decision on your visa within 21 working days, probably, 3 weeks.
You may also be able to pay to have a priority and super-priority service, where you get a decision on your visa within 5 working days and by the end of the next working day respectively.
Find out more if you can get a faster decision when you apply for a visa.
Getting your visa approved means you can come to the UK to work for an approved employer.
Once you will be staying in the UK for more than 6 months, you will need a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).
BRP is a card issued to you by the UK immigration office once you get to the UK. You will be able to collect the card from the nearest post address (the address you provided during your visa application).
The biometric residence permit can be used to confirm your
- Identity
- Right to study, rent property or work in the UK
- Right to have access to any public services or benefits due to you.
Note: From April 6, 2022, BRP will not be used to confirm one’s right to work or rent in the UK. You will need to prove your right to work or rent online.
For detailed guidance and information regarding visa application and processing, please speak to one of our dedicated consultants using the contacts below;
