Changes have been recently declared in the rules connecting to the Health and Care Worker visa. The visa is a very important route for overseas healthcare workers who wish to find work in the UK. These changes alert the way the UK will deal with skill shortages within the healthcare sector, ensuring all foreign workers get fair competitive wages. Below, we break down what the Health and Care Worker visa is, who will be eligible, and key changes to the rules taking effect beginning in 2024.
But, What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The Health and Care Worker visa has been designed for overseas healthcare professionals with specialist skills. It allows workers to come to the UK for an employer ( they ought to be licensed) to work in one of the eligible roles for a Health and Care visa: doctors, registered nurses, pharmacists, and adult social care workers. This visa is thus purposed to fill significant gaps in the UK’s health workforce and maybe offer a pathway to permanent residency.
Advantages of the Health and Care Worker Visa
Duration of work: Holders of this visa can work in the UK for up to five years.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): The holder can apply after five years without immigration controls and the need for visa sponsorship, allowing greater job flexibility.
Eligible Employers: They are able to work with the NHS, NHS suppliers, or in adult social care.
Eligibility Conditions
Applicants of the Health and Care Worker visa must be able to satisfy the following conditions:
1. Job Description: Doctor, nurse, health professional, or adult social care professional
2. Employment: Applicant ought to have a job offer in an eligible health or social care role. They need to make sure that it is approved by the Home Office.
3. Certificate of Sponsorship: Applicant required to obtain a certificate from the employer for the details of the job offer
4. Salary: Also, it is mandatory that the minimum salary requirements are met for the post offered.
5. English Knowledge: Applicants are required to know English to speak, read, write, and understand it.
New Rules Effective from 2024
Changes Effective 11 March 2024, Dependents: Migrating Care workers and senior care workers are no longer permitted to bring dependents. Only providers registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England can sponsor Health and Care Visa applicants.
Changes Effective 4 April 2024, Salary Requirements:
• NHS Bands: Certificates of Sponsorship must meet the national pay scale or a minimum salary of £23,200, whichever is higher.
• Non-NHS Roles: A general salary threshold of £29,000 will apply to roles, not on a national pay scale.
• Skilled Worker Visa (NHS Sponsored): For roles like data analysts and IT professionals sponsored by the NHS, the new salary threshold will be £38,700.
• Exemptions: Current Skilled Worker visa holders will be exempt from new salary thresholds when changing occupation or sponsor or when settling.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Health and Care Visa holders remain exempt from the IHS, though the surcharge has increased to £1,035 per person per year as of 6 February 2024.
• New Immigration Salary List (ISL): Replaces the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). Occupations on the ISL can have a lower salary threshold but must meet specific criteria, such as £23,200 for Health and Care Visas.
Conclusion
Updates in the rules of the Health and Care Worker visa seek to make it easier and smoother for qualified health professionals to move to the UK and work at competitive rates. By understanding the changes, prospective applicants can better prepare their applications and sail through the new requirements with some sort of agility. For further information and to read complete guidance, please go to GOV.UK.
Also Read : How to Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK
