New Health and Care Visa for overseas medical workers opened for new applications on 4 August 2020. According to the new scheme, qualified doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals can use fast-track entry, reduced visa fees, and dedicated support to come to the UK with their families. The prospective medical migrants also had to have passed training to a recognised standard.
Skilled worker’s sponsors
The new entry clearance visa will operate within the existing skilled worker (General) immigration category. Besides, the applicants will need a Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer with a Skilled worker’s sponsorship licence.
Moreover, skilled worker sponsors must explain briefly in the Certificate of Sponsorship how the prospective employee can meet the new health and care visa requirements.
Working visa application
Full representation services for working visas applications. Entry Clearance/leave to remain for individuals outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Eligible professions
Furthermore, a new scheme will be available only for the applicants coming to do one of the roles from the list of 18 eligible occupations in the UK. However, this type of visa is not for care home workers.
The complete list of eligible professions is as follows:
- 2112 – Biological scientists, as well as biochemists
- 2113 – Physical Scientists
- 2211 – Medical Practitioners
- 2212 – Psychologists
- 2213 – Pharmacists
- 2214 – Ophthalmic Opticians
- 2215 – Dental practitioners
- 2217 – Medical Radiographers
- 2218 – Podiatrists
- 2219 – Health Professionals not elsewhere classified
- 2221 – Physiotherapists
- 2222 – Occupational Therapists
- 2223 – Speech as well as Language Therapists
- 2229 – Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
- 2231 – Nurses
- 2232 – Midwives
- 2442 – Social Workers
- 3213 – Paramedics
In short, to be eligible for a Health and Care Visa, the worker must be offered one of the above jobs with an NHS Trust, Health Board or NHS-commissioned service provider. The prospective worker can also get an offer for eligible occupations in the social care sector.
Requirements for new health and care visa
In summary, applicants must meet the usual Skilled worker’s (General) visa requirements. Besides, it includes the English language requirement. Applicants for this particular visa and their dependents will also be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The Home Office aims to process most applications within three weeks.
