The recent changes to the Health and Care Visa UK, including an increased minimum salary, are expected to have diverse effects on both prospective applicants and the healthcare industry in the UK.
With these new requirements in place, are we set to lose hundreds of healthcare technology specialists and healthcare workers or improve the quality of our foreign specialists? Today, we invite you to consider the potential consequences when compared with the former visa requirements.
Overview of the Health and Care Visa
With a Health and Care Visa, medical professionals can live and work in the UK in adult social care, an eligible NHS role, or with an NHS supplier.
The online application involves providing personal details, information about the prospective employer and job offer, and supporting documents.
Eligibility Requirements UK Health and Care Worker Visa
All applicants must:
- Be paid a minimum salary
- Work for a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office
- Work in an eligible health or social care job
- Speak, read, write and understand English
- Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
- Have a certificate of sponsorship from UK employer
Cost of Applying UK Health and Care Worker Visa
- Money to support yourself (£1270)
- Application fee (£284 for up to 3 years in the UK, £551 for more than 3 years)
Processing Time UK Health and Care Worker Visa
Most UK Health and Care Worker Visas are processed within 3 weeks. However, applicants can pay for priority service to get a faster decision.
Documents Needed UK Health and Care Worker Visa Application
- Proof of knowledge of English
- Job’s occupation code
- Job title and annual salary
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number
- Valid passport
- Employer’s name and sponsor licence number
- Potential additional documents e.g., criminal record certificate, proof of relationship with dependants and UK PhD certificate
What are the New Health and Care Visa Requirements?
Several recent changes to the Health and Care Worker Visa were announced on the 11th March 2024.
Dependants
Care workers or senior care workers will no longer be permitted to bring their dependants with them to the UK, with the exception of children who were born in this country.
This will also affect current Health and Care Worker Visa holders, though there are several options allowing these individuals to stay with their dependants. They can either extend their visa, switch employers or pursue settled status.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration
In order for employers to be eligible to sponsor workers in England under the Health and Care Worker Visa, they will now need to be registered with the CQC and carrying out a regulated activity. This is not applicable to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Minimum salary threshold
The minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker Visa has risen from £20,960 to £23,200.
Transitional arrangements
Health and Care Worker Visa holders who are already sponsored will not be subject to the new changes to this pathway.
Benefits of the New Health and Care Visa Requirements
By requiring companies to register with the CQC, the Home Office is setting a new standard for the Health and Care Worker Visa. Visa holders will now strictly work for regulated businesses, meaning their rights will be protected and there will always be an opportunity to make a formal complaint about their company.
It’s likely that this new requirement will improve the quality of foreign specialists, as it will attract employees who are only comfortable working in a safe and secure organisation.
Moreover, the higher minimum salary threshold could appeal to skilled overseas workers as it promises a better quality of life in the UK, and demonstrates businesses are willing to increase their pay to reap the benefits of hiring foreign medical professionals.
Overall, holding businesses to a higher standard benefits Health and Care Worker Visa applicants, as it means they will be entering companies that have proven they value a diverse workforce.
Risks of the New Health and Care Visa Requirements
As it is no longer possible for senior care workers and care workers to bring their dependants to the UK, we must acknowledge that this could result in the loss of many talented healthcare technology and healthcare professionals who cannot leave their children in their home country. In an environment where healthcare and particularly healthcare tech talent is already scarce, could this be limiting for the NHS?
Despite the new minimum salary requirement potentially attracting foreign applicants, some businesses will opt out of the scheme for financial reasons, and this could result in fewer opportunities for medical professionals in the UK. If it’s more affordable to hire UK citizens, this is going to be the next course of action for certain companies.
Conclusion
Ultimately, there is no definitive outcome to the new Health and Care Worker Visa requirements. It is possible that the UK will lose hundreds of potential medical professionals, but it’s also possible that these changes will improve the quality of the scheme.
As with all changes to visas, the future remains unknown. However, there is hope that the reformed Health and Care Visa will attract only the most skilled medical professionals from abroad, boosting the UK’s economy and diversity.
