If your job falls under one of the following occupation codes, you’ll need to meet specific salary requirements:
- 1171: Health services and public health managers and directors
- 1231: Health care practice managers
- 1232: Residential, day, and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
- 2113: Biochemists and biomedical scientists
- 2114: Physical scientists
- 3111: Laboratory technicians
- 3211: Dispensing opticians
- 3212: Pharmaceutical technicians
- 6135: Care workers and home carers
- 6136: Senior care workers
For all other eligible occupation codes, the salary requirements described under “Your Job” will apply.
General Salary Requirements
In most cases, you’ll need to be paid at least £29,000 per year or the lower ‘going rate’ for your specific job, whichever is higher.
Example: If your salary is £30,000 per year, but the going rate for your job is £33,000, you will not meet the standard salary requirement for this visa.
Each occupation code has its own annual lower going rate. You can find this information in the going rates table.
When You Can Be Paid Less
In some cases, you can still apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa if your salary is below £29,000 or your job’s lower going rate. You may be paid between 70% and 90% of the going rate if:
- Your salary is at least £23,200 per year.
- You meet one of the following criteria:
- You are under 26, a student or recent graduate, or in professional training.
- You have a PhD in a relevant science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) subject.
- You hold a postdoctoral position in a scientific field.
You cannot receive a reduced salary if your job is listed on the immigration salary list.
Immigration Salary List
If your job is on the immigration salary list, you must be paid at least £23,200 per year or the full going rate for your job, whichever is higher. You can check how much you’ll need to be paid by viewing the immigration salary list.
Salary Discounts for Specific Cases
1. Under 26, Student, Recent Graduate, or Professional Training
You can be paid 70% of the lower going rate for your job if your salary is at least £23,200 per year and one of the following applies:
- You’re under 26 at the time of your application.
- You’re on a Student visa, studying at a bachelor’s level or higher, or were in the last 2 years. A Student or Visit visa must have been your most recent visa.
- You’re working towards a recognised qualification in a regulated UK profession.
- You’re working towards full registration or chartered status for the job you’re being sponsored for.
Your total stay in the UK cannot exceed 4 years under this condition, including any time spent on a Tier 2 (General) work visa.
2. PhD Qualification
If you hold a PhD relevant to your job, you can be paid either 80% or 90% of the going rate, depending on the subject:
- STEM PhD: You can be paid 80% of the going rate if your salary is at least £23,200 per year.
- Non-STEM PhD: You can be paid 90% of the going rate if your salary is at least £26,100 per year.
In both cases, you must have a UK PhD or an equivalent overseas qualification (verified through Ecctis) and be able to prove that your qualification is relevant to your job.
3. Postdoctoral Position in a Scientific Role
You can be paid 70% of the lower going rate if your salary is at least £23,200 per year and you hold a postdoctoral position in one of the following occupation codes:
- 2113: Biochemists and biomedical scientists
- 2114: Physical scientists
Your total stay in the UK under this condition cannot exceed 4 years, including any time spent on a Tier 2 (General) work visa.
Cost of the Health and Care Worker Visa
When applying for a Health and Care Worker Visa, you’ll need to ensure you have enough funds to:
- Pay the application fee.
- Support yourself upon arrival in the UK, typically requiring at least £1,270 (unless you qualify for an exemption).
The exact amount you’ll need to pay will be provided during your application process.
Application Fees
The standard fee for the visa depends on the length of your stay:
- Up to 3 years: £284 per person.
- More than 3 years: £551 per person.
The fee is the same whether you apply from within the UK or from abroad.
Documents Required for Your Health and Care Worker Visa Application
When applying for a Health and Care Worker Visa, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – your employer will supply this.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
- Valid passport or other identity and nationality documents.
- Your job title and annual salary.
- Your job’s occupation code.
- Your employer’s name and sponsor licence number, which can be found on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
If you do not have your Certificate of Sponsorship, ask your employer for a copy.
Additional Documents You May Need
Depending on your situation, you may also be required to submit:
- Proof of sufficient savings to support yourself in the UK, such as bank statements (unless your Certificate of Sponsorship shows your employer can support you).
- Proof of relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you.
- Tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country.
- Criminal record certificate if you’re applying for certain jobs.
- UK PhD certificate or Ecctis reference number (if your qualification is from outside the UK) to verify your degree through Ecctis.
If you’re from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein (or if you’re from one of these countries but don’t have a biometric passport), you’ll also need to provide a blank page in your passport for your visa.
Certified Translations
You must include a certified translation if any of your documents are not in English or Welsh.
Criminal Record Certificate
You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you’re applying from outside the UK, except for jobs in the following occupation codes:
- 2113: biochemists and biomedical scientists
- 2114: physical scientists
- 3111: laboratory technicians
- 6132: ambulance staff (excluding paramedics)
Check the process for obtaining criminal record checks.
If You’ve Lived in Multiple Countries
You may need to provide a criminal record certificate from each country you’ve lived in, based on your age and the duration of your stay:
- If you’re under 28, you’ll need certificates for countries you’ve lived in for 12 months or more since turning 18.
- If you’re 28 or older, you’ll need certificates for countries you’ve lived in over the past 10 years.
