UK Immigration 101: Visa Options for Hiring Healthcare Professionals

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and other health and social care sectors are facing significant staffing shortages, particularly in frontline roles like nurses, doctors, care assistants, and allied health professionals. To address these shortages, many employers are turning to international talent, but struggling to navigate the UK’s complicated immigration policies. 

In this blog post, we’ll cover all the important visa information companies should know about hiring healthcare professionals from abroad. We’ll cover several visa and permit options, with the most commonly chosen option being the Health and Care Worker Visa. 

What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?

The Health and Care Worker Visa is a UK immigration route specifically designed for overseas healthcare professionals looking to work in the NHS, adult social care, or private healthcare sectors. Introduced in 2020, this visa allows qualified international workers to fill critical roles in the UK’s healthcare and social care systems.

Key Facts for Employers

Employers in the health and care sectors stand to gain several advantages by hiring workers under the Health and Care Worker Visa:

1. Reduced Recruitment Costs: The application fees for the Health and Care Worker Visa are lower than those for other types of work visas. As of 2024, the application fee costs £284 if applying for a visa that will last 3 years, and £551 for a longer expiration period. Additionally, the visa’s holders are exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — a fee that is required to gain free access to the UK’s NHS medical services — reducing overall recruitment costs for employers.
2. No Labour Market Testing: Unlike some other types of work visas, employers hiring workers under the Health and Care Worker Visa do not need to conduct a Labour Market Test (LMT). This means employers are not required to prove that no suitable UK-based candidates are available for the role, which can significantly speed up the hiring process.
3. Pathway to Permanent Residency: Health and Care Worker Visa holders can stay in the UK for up to 5 years. After this period, they may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), providing a pathway for long-term employment and residence. 

Eligibility Criteria for Hiring Through the Health and Care Worker Visa

Here's what you need to know before hiring talent under the Health and Care Worker Visa.

1. Approved Sponsorship Status: Employers must be a registered sponsor with the UK Home Office. 
2. Eligible Job Roles: The Health and Care Worker Visa is designed for specific healthcare and care-related professions. It’s essential to ensure the role you’re recruiting for is on the government’s list of eligible occupations.
3. Salary Requirements: As of 2024, the minimum salary requirement for the Health and Care Worker Visa is £20,960 per year or £10.10 per hour. However, some roles, such as doctors or nurses, may require higher salary levels. We recommend reviewing the Home Office’s official salary guidelines.
4. English Language Proficiency: Expat talent must meet the UK’s English language requirement, which can be demonstrated through recognized English language tests or by having a formal degree taught in English. Talent must be able to prove that they can read, write, speak and understand the language to at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. 
5. Maintenance Funds: You must confirm that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to support themselves when they arrive in the UK. Alternatively, you must commit to covering this cost. Typically, employers need to confirm which route they’ll take during the sponsorship process.

How Employers Can Sponsor Workers

Once you have a sponsorship licence, you should follow several steps for a smoother hiring process:

1. Offer a Job to a Qualified Professional: Once you offer a job to a qualified healthcare worker in an eligible occupation, you issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the talent. This is a unique reference number that they will need to complete their visa application.
2. Submit the Visa Application: The talent will then use the CoS to apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa. The application process involves submitting personal details, providing evidence of qualifications, meeting English language requirements, and paying the reduced application fee.
3. Provide Support for the Visa: Employers are responsible for assisting the worker with collecting the required documents and ensuring that all paperwork is correct. Although the employee is responsible for submitting their visa application, you play a key role in providing the necessary sponsorship documentation and offering support throughout the process.
4. Comply with Reporting Requirements: Employers must meet ongoing obligations once the employee is hired. This includes reporting any changes in employment status to the UK Home Office (e.g., if they leave the role or breach visa conditions).

Challenges for Employers Hiring from Abroad

Despite the advantages of the Health and Care Worker Visa, you may face some challenges when hiring international workers:

1. Qualification Recognition: Healthcare talent trained abroad may need to have their qualifications and experience recognized by UK authorities (such as the General Medical Council (GMC) or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)). 
2. Retention and Integration: Once your talent arrives, Once international workers arrive, you may need to support their integration into the UK. This includes offering cultural orientation, professional development opportunities, and support for their ongoing professional qualifications.

Other Visa Options for Healthcare Talent

While the Health and Care Worker Visa is one of the most straightforward options for healthcare professionals, there are other visa routes you can explore to fill healthcare roles:

• Skilled Worker Visa: This general route applies to a wide range of skilled roles, including many healthcare jobs. It has broader criteria but is similar to the Health and Care Worker Visa in terms of salary thresholds and eligibility. Healthcare employers may use the Skilled Worker Visa if a role doesn’t qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa but still requires a skilled workforce.
• Global Talent Visa: For exceptionally skilled professionals, such as world-renowned medical researchers or senior healthcare professionals, the Global Talent Visa provides a route to work in the UK. This visa offers more flexibility than others and can be an attractive option for top-tier talent.

Conclusion

The UK offers healthcare employers several valuable pathways to recruit skilled international workers and fill critical roles. By understanding the eligibility criteria, visa application process, and the benefits of different visa options, you can streamline recruitment efforts, access a global talent pool, and help address staffing shortages in a crucial sector. 

With the right support in place, hiring from abroad can be a seamless and effective way to ensure your healthcare team is equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to deliver high-quality care.