UK Bans Family Members on Health and Care Worker Visas
Overseas care workers will be banned from bringing family members with them on their visa under the new rules.
The Health and Care Worker Visa is open to qualified doctors, nurses, and other health and adult social care professionals who wish to undertake an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.
The Health and Care Worker Visa can lead to settlement in the United Kingdom after 5 years and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children. From 11 March 2024, social care workers (occupation codes 6145 and 6146) will not be permitted to bring dependents to the UK.
However, care workers and senior care workers holding a Health and Care Worker visa that was granted before 11 March 2024 may be accompanied or joined by dependents, including in cases where they change jobs to another sponsor who meets the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulation requirement.
The UK Government argues it will stop abuse of the system, but with around 15% of the workforce coming from abroad, it's been branded a “hostile, xenophobic” policy that will only harm a sector already in crisis.
This controversial decision is part of the UK Government's broader strategy to reduce net migration. As discussions surrounding immigration policies continue, the repercussions of these changes on the healthcare and social care sectors remain a subject of ongoing debate, with stakeholders expressing diverse opinions on the potential consequences for both the workforce and the quality of care provided.
Who Qualifies for a Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care visa is for overseas workers with specialist skills to come to the UK to work for licensed employers in eligible roles.
This visa route is open to individuals applying under the skilled worker route for entry clearance or leave to remain who will be taking up a job offer in one of the occupations specified within a prescribed list of Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.
| 4-digit SOC Code | Eligible Job Roles |
| 1181 | Health services and public health managers and directors |
| 1242 | Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors |
| 2112 | Biological scientists and biochemists |
| 2113 | Physical scientists |
| 2211 | Medical practitioners |
| 2212 | Psychologists |
| 2213 | Pharmacists |
| 2214 | Ophthalmic opticians |
| 2215 | Dental practitioners |
| 2217 | Medical radiographers |
| 2218 | Podiatrists |
| 2219 | Health professionals not elsewhere classified eg audiologists and occupational health advisers |
| 2221 | Physiotherapists |
| 2222 | Occupational therapists |
| 2223 | Speech and language therapists |
| 2229 | Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified eg osteopaths and psychotherapists |
| 2231 | Nurses |
| 2232 | Midwives |
| 2442 | Social workers |
| 3111 | Laboratory technicians |
| 3213 | Paramedics |
| 3216 | Dispensing opticians |
| 3217 | Pharmaceutical technicians |
| 3218 | Medical and dental technicians |
| 3219 | Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified |
| 6141 | Nursing auxiliaries and assistants |
| 6143 | Dental nurses |
| 6145 | Care workers & home carers |
| 6146 | Senior care workers |
Requirements for a Health and Care Worker Visa
To qualify for a Health and Care Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You are a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional;
- You work or will work in an eligible health or social care job, which falls within the list of approved occupation codes;
- You work or will work for a UK health and care sector employer that has been approved by the Home Office;
- You have a valid ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you have been offered;
- You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
- You will be paid the minimum salary or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you will be doing, whichever is higher;
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a criminal record certificate if working with vulnerable people; and
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if from a listed country.
The exact required documents will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
Applicants must have a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor before they can apply.
Are you eligible for a 5-year Schengen Visa? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.
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