Health and Care Worker visa — pathway-to-ILR for NHS / care sector

Health and Care Worker visa is an overlay on Skilled Worker (Appendix Skilled Worker) with significantly favourable terms for eligible health + care professionals. It is the single most-common route used by Indian healthcare workers entering the UK.

For [CLIENT_NAME] ([PROFESSION]) joining [EMPLOYER]:

§1 — H&C OVERLAY BENEFITS (120-150 words)

Reduced costs compared to standard Skilled Worker:
  ▪ Application fee: GBP 247-298 (vs Skilled Worker GBP 719-1,500) [VERIFY]
  ▪ IHS: EXEMPT (saves GBP 1,035/year × duration)
  ▪ Faster Entry Clearance: priority service available; standard 3 weeks; priority 5 working days
  ▪ Family dependants pay same reduced fees + IHS exemption

Lower salary threshold:
  ▪ General H&C threshold: GBP 23,200/year minimum [VERIFY] (vs Skilled Worker GBP 38,700)
  ▪ Going rate for SOC code still applies (e.g. care worker SOC 6135 going rate)

Path to ILR same as Skilled Worker (5 years).

For [CLIENT_NAME] [SOC_CODE] [SALARY_GBP]: confirm salary meets H&C threshold + going rate.

§2 — ELIGIBLE PROFESSIONS (120-150 words)

H&C visa available for SOC codes including:
  ▪ 2211 Medical practitioners (doctors, junior + senior)
  ▪ 2212 Psychologists
  ▪ 2213 Pharmacists
  ▪ 2214 Ophthalmic opticians
  ▪ 2215 Dental practitioners
  ▪ 2231 Nurses (registered)
  ▪ 2232 Midwives
  ▪ 2235 Pharmaceutical technicians
  ▪ 2218 Physiotherapists
  ▪ 2219 Health professionals not elsewhere classified
  ▪ 6135 Care workers
  ▪ 6136 Senior care workers
  ▪ Various other allied health roles

Employer requirement:
  ▪ Must be CQC-registered (Care Quality Commission) for care provision, OR
  ▪ NHS trust / Health Education England, OR
  ▪ Private healthcare provider that meets care standards regulator

Care workers (6135 / 6136): role must be in care home / domiciliary care setting; NOT casual / agency basic carer.

§3 — INDIA-SPECIFIC QUALIFICATION RECOGNITION (120-150 words)

Indian healthcare qualifications + UK recognition:

For Registered Nurses ([INDIA_QUALIFICATIONS]):
  ▪ NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) UK registration required
  ▪ Path: NMC Computer-Based Test (CBT) + Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in UK
  ▪ Pre-registration: 6-12 months typical
  ▪ Indian INC (Indian Nursing Council) qualifications usually recognised but need NMC verification

For Doctors:
  ▪ GMC (General Medical Council) registration required
  ▪ Path: PLAB 1 (in India) + PLAB 2 (in UK) OR MRCP route OR international medical school recognition route
  ▪ Royal College examinations may also be needed for specialty registration

For Care Workers:
  ▪ No professional registration required at point of entry
  ▪ Some employers require Care Certificate (15 standards) within 12 weeks of starting

[INDIA_QUALIFICATIONS] map:
  ▪ Verify current Indian registration is active + in good standing
  ▪ Begin UK regulator registration BEFORE applying for H&C visa
  ▪ Some employers (NHS) require registration in place before issuing CoS

§4 — APPLICATION DOCUMENTS (120-150 words)

Standard Skilled Worker documents PLUS:
  □ Certificate of Sponsorship from H&C-licensed sponsor
  □ Evidence of UK professional registration (NMC PIN / GMC reference number / pharmacist registration)
  □ Indian professional registration (INC / MCI / Pharmacy Council / etc.)
  □ Degree certificates + transcripts (translated if needed)
  □ Evidence of healthcare-specific qualifications (Care Certificate / Nursing diploma / etc.)

For doctors:
  ▪ MBBS degree from recognised Indian medical college
  ▪ Internship completion certificate
  ▪ State Medical Council registration

For nurses:
  ▪ B.Sc Nursing / GNM diploma
  ▪ INC registration
  ▪ NMC of UK PIN (or OSCE booking confirmation)

For care workers:
  ▪ Education certificates (often Class XII minimum)
  ▪ Prior care experience evidence
  ▪ English language: B1 CEFR (IELTS UKVI Academic 4.0 each skill, or IELTS for UKVI General Training, or OET for healthcare)

§5 — IHS EXEMPTION + NHS USE (80-100 words)

H&C visa holders are EXEMPT from IHS payment. They + dependants can:
  ▪ Access NHS services from arrival
  ▪ Use GP / hospital / prescription services
  ▪ Children attend NHS dentistry

Note:
  ▪ IHS exemption applies only to H&C visa holders, NOT to Skilled Worker (who pay full GBP 1,035/year)
  ▪ Switching from H&C to Skilled Worker mid-stay = IHS becomes payable
  ▪ IHS already paid is NOT refunded if applicant switches mid-visa

§6 — FAMILY DEPENDANTS (80-100 words)

H&C visa dependants:
  ▪ Spouse / civil partner / unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation)
  ▪ Children under 18 (or older children continuing in education)
  ▪ Same favourable fee + IHS exemption as main applicant

Dependants can:
  ▪ Work full-time (no NHS restriction)
  ▪ Self-employment
  ▪ Children: free state school education

Maintenance:
  ▪ Each dependant: GBP 285 (partner) or GBP 285 (per child) for 28 days [VERIFY]
  ▪ Or sponsor-certified

§7 — PATH TO ILR + CITIZENSHIP (80-100 words)

H&C visa is on the "settlement-eligible" route:
  ▪ 5 years continuous residence on H&C → ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
  ▪ Continuous residence rules per Appendix CR (absences <180 days/year)
  ▪ Life in the UK test (under Appendix KOL)
  ▪ English at B1 CEFR (already demonstrated via H&C application)
  ▪ Maintenance: continued employment in eligible role
  ▪ ILR fee: GBP 2,885 [VERIFY]
  ▪ 6 years → Citizenship application (after ILR + 12 months on ILR)

Spouses of H&C workers: settlement under Appendix FM (5 years if H&C spouse already settled).

End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. Verify professional registration with UK regulator (NMC / GMC / GPhC etc.) BEFORE applying for H&C visa — some employers require it pre-CoS. Care sector roles (SOC 6135 / 6136) face additional CQC scrutiny on employer; ensure sponsor is CQC-registered."