At First Law Solicitors, we deliver expert, results-focused legal support for medical and healthcare professionals who wish to live and work in the United Kingdom.
Our solicitors represent NHS Trusts, private hospitals, and individual practitioners across the health and social care sector. We manage the entire visa process from sponsorship to settlement with precision, empathy, and compliance at every stage.
The Health and Care Worker Visa allows qualified professionals in eligible health occupations to work in the United Kingdom under a Home Office licensed sponsor.
This visa route forms part of the UK’s Skilled Worker framework, offering reduced application fees and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for both the applicant and dependants. It remains the preferred immigration route for clinical professionals including doctors, nurses, midwives, radiographers, physiotherapists, and other regulated healthcare staff.
However, the landscape for care roles has changed significantly.
Since 22 July 2025, new overseas applications for Care Workers (SOC 6135) and Senior Care Workers (SOC 6136) are no longer accepted.
This change marks a major policy shift by the Home Office, designed to stabilise domestic recruitment and safeguard ethical hiring practices.
Those who already hold valid Care Worker or Senior Care Worker visas can continue to live and work in the United Kingdom, extend their permission, or change employers if they remain in sponsored roles. These transitional rights will remain valid until 22 July 2028, when the category is expected to close entirely.
Dependants have been restricted in this category since 2024, and that limitation continues for all extensions and renewals under the transitional arrangements.
The Health and Care route benefits from protected pay structures distinct from the general Skilled Worker threshold.
Our solicitors verify every application against the correct Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and ensure that each contract complies with Appendix Skilled Worker and Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at Level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
However, the Home Office recognises professional registration as evidence of language ability. If you have already passed an English language assessment for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), General Medical Council (GMC), or General Dental Council (GDC), no separate English test is required.
Our solicitors coordinate directly with regulatory bodies to confirm that your registration and documentation meet Home Office evidential standards.
Eligible dependants can join or remain with a Health and Care visa holder, except where the role falls within the restricted care worker category.
Dependants are permitted to work, study, and live in the United Kingdom without restriction, except in professional sports or coaching roles. We ensure family applications are perfectly synchronised with the main applicant’s sponsorship to prevent expiry gaps or immigration inconsistencies.
The Health and Care Worker Visa is generally issued for up to five years and can be extended as long as the applicant remains employed in an eligible role.
After five continuous years, visa holders may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if they have maintained lawful employment, met salary thresholds, and not exceeded the permitted absences.
At First Law Solicitors, we manage your full immigration lifecycle from initial sponsorship to permanent residence and, ultimately, British citizenship.
From 1 January 2026, all Health and Care visa holders receive digital eVisas instead of physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). Immigration status is verified through a UKVI online account, with share codes replacing physical cards.
Our firm operates in full compliance with the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA), which governs secure digital identity management across the UK’s immigration system. We use Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) and encrypted verification tools to ensure secure document submission and data protection at every stage.
Sector-Specific Expertise: We understand the regulatory, ethical, and operational complexities of UK healthcare recruitment.
Strategic Oversight: We provide long-term immigration planning, including settlement and sponsorship transitions, for healthcare employers and professionals alike.
Digital Precision: Every application is managed through our encrypted client portal, fully compliant with DUAA 2025 standards.
Ongoing Protection: We monitor regulatory updates and proactively adapt client strategies to evolving Home Office policy.
At First Law Solicitors, our approach combines compassion with technical mastery, ensuring your professional journey in the United Kingdom is secure, compliant, and future-proof.
If you are a healthcare professional seeking to work in the United Kingdom, or an employer requiring a sponsor licence and recruitment guidance, contact First Law Solicitors today.
Call 0044 161 224 4066
Complete our secure online enquiry form to arrange a confidential consultation with a solicitor.
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