Alliance Law Chambers
Alliance Law Chambers
VISA CATEGORIES
The Health and Care Worker visa
The Health and Care Worker visa provides a pathway for medical professionals to enter or remain in the UK for eligible roles within the NHS, an NHS supplier, or adult social care.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, the following conditions must be met:
- Possession of qualifications as a doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional
- Engagement in an eligible health or social care role
- Employment with a UK employer sanctioned by the Home Office
- Possession of a 'certificate of sponsorship' from the employer, delineating the offered role in the UK
- Receipt of a minimum salary, contingent upon the nature of the work undertaken
You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa.
Applications that require an English language test
There are two distinct assessments, each tailored to the varying language proficiency requirements of different immigration pathways. The specific test you are required to undertake is contingent upon the nature of your application.
The following immigration routes necessitate the completion of a comprehensive test evaluating proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening:
- Health and Care Workers
- High Potential Individuals
- Innovator Founders
- Ministers of Religion
- Scale-up Workers
- Skilled Workers
- Start-up
- Student
Skilled Worker visa
The Skilled Worker visa enables individuals to enter or remain in the UK for the purpose of undertaking an eligible role with an authorized employer.
Eligibility Criteria
- Employment with a UK-based employer approved by the Home Office.
- Possession of a 'certificate of sponsorship' (CoS) from the employer, containing details of the offered position in the UK.
- Engagement in a job listed under the eligible occupations.
- Receipt of a minimum salary, the specific amount of which depends on the nature of the work and the date of receiving the CoS.
You must have a confirmed job offer before you apply for your visa. You need to have proficiency in the English language, including speaking, reading, writing, and understanding.
How long you can stay
Your visa can remain valid for up to 5 years before you need to renew it. You will need to apply to renew or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employers.
If you wish to stay in the UK for a longer period, You can apply to renew your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.
After 5 years, you may be eligible to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This will give you the right to live, work, and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.
How to apply
You must apply online.
If you are outside the UK and planning to come to the UK, or if you are inside the UK and want to extend your current visa or switch from a different visa, how you apply depends on your situation. If you wish to change your job or employer, you must apply to update your visa. Additionally, if eligible, your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependents.
How long it takes
You are eligible to apply for a visa up to 3 months before your scheduled start date for work in the UK, as indicated on your certificate of sponsorship. As part of the application process, it is necessary to provide documented proof of your identity. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to allocate additional time for appointment scheduling. Further guidance on this requirement will be provided at the onset of your application process.
Getting a decision
Once you have applied online, verified your identity, and submitted your documents, you will typically receive a decision on your visa within the following timeframes:
- 3 weeks if you are outside the UK
- 8 weeks if you are inside the UK
You may have the option to expedite the decision process by paying an additional fee. The process for doing this varies depending on whether you are outside or inside the UK.
How much does it cost? Each applicant, including your partner or children, will need to pay the application fee, the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay, and prove that you have enough personal savings.
Graduate Visa
