If you are currently in the UK under a visa that permits switching to a Health and Care Worker visa, you can apply for this transition from within the country. To successfully switch your immigration status, you must fulfill the specific criteria outlined in Appendix Skilled Worker, Appendix Skilled Occupations, and Appendix Shortage Occupations List. It is essential to be sponsored by the NHS, an NHS supplier, or a care home to secure an eligible role in the UK. Additionally, applicants for the Health and Care Worker visa are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge and benefit from reduced visa application fees.

The reduced application fees extend to partners and dependents of Health and Care Visa applicants, and the exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge applies to both the applicants and their families.

The Home Office UKVI prioritizes Health and Care Visa applications, aiming to process the majority of them within three weeks from the submission of biometric information. There is also dedicated support available, allowing Health and Care Visa sponsors to reach out to UKVI’s specialized team should any issues arise regarding the application or eligibility process. Sponsors can contact the UKVI NHS team directly via email at UKVINHSteam@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Aden & Co Solicitors are expert immigration solicitors specializing in UK visa and immigration legal services. Our highly skilled team, renowned for delivering top-tier legal support, is reflected in our clients’ exceptional 5-star Google Reviews, with 99% of clients recommending our services.

Our dedicated team of Health and Care Worker visa solicitors specializes in applications for switching to a Health and Care Worker visa from within the UK. As one of the leading providers of Health and Care Worker visa services in London, Aden & Co Solicitors offer extensive expertise and experience, ensuring high-quality fixed-fee legal assistance for individuals seeking to switch to the Health and Care Worker visa.

Complimentary Immigration Consultation for Health and Care Worker Visa Applications

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert immigration team offers a free, one-time online consultation regarding your application to switch to the Health and Care Worker Visa in the UK. Whether you have a specific query or need comprehensive guidance, you can easily reach out to our specialists for tailored immigration advice. Simply submit your question online or schedule a detailed consultation with one of our experienced immigration solicitors. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your visa application process is as smooth and informed as possible.

New UK Immigration Laws: No Dependants for Care Workers

In December 2023, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced significant changes to UK immigration policies, stating that new amendments will be introduced to the UK Immigration Rules. These updates will restrict care workers from bringing dependants along under the Health and Care Worker Visa program. This change is set to impact the eligibility of dependants, marking a shift in the immigration landscape for care workers.

Eligibility Criteria for Switching to the Health and Care Worker Visa

If you’re considering switching to a Health and Care Worker visa while in the UK, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

• You must be in the UK with valid leave to enter or remain, allowing you to switch to the Health and Care Worker visa under the Immigration Rules.
• Achieve a total of 50 points from mandatory non-tradable criteria.
• Secure at least 20 points from tradable points, which may include factors such as salary and job offer specifics.
• You must have sufficient funds for maintenance, unless your Health and Care Worker sponsor has certified your maintenance in compliance with the Immigration Rules.
• You must satisfy all suitability requirements and avoid grounds for refusal based on general immigration criteria.

Employers must provide a brief explanation in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) regarding how the employee meets the Health and Care Worker visa eligibility requirements. Additionally, the employer is responsible for informing the applicant about their eligibility, ensuring that they complete the visa application accurately. If the employer is an NHS service provider, evidence of the contract with the NHS may be required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to confirm the applicant’s eligibility for the Health and Care Worker visa.

Eligible Occupation Codes for Health and Care Worker Visa

To qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, your occupation must align with one of the following eligible occupation codes:

• 1181: Health Services and Public Health Managers and Directors
• 1242: Residential, Day, and Domiciliary Care Managers and Proprietors
• 2112: Biological Scientists and 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 (including audiologists, occupational health advisers)
• 2221: Physiotherapists
• 2222: Occupational Therapists
• 2223: Speech and Language Therapists
• 2229: Therapy Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified (including osteopaths, psychotherapists)
• 2231: Nurses
• 2232: Midwives
• 2442: Social Workers
• 3111: Laboratory Technicians
• 3213: Paramedics
• 3216: Dispensing Opticians
• 3217: Pharmaceutical Technicians
• 3218: Medical and Dental Technicians
• 3219: Health Associate Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified
• 6141: Nursing Auxiliaries and Assistants
• 6143: Dental Nurses
• 6146: Senior Care Workers

To apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, it is essential that you secure a job offer from a UK employer who is an approved sponsor with a valid sponsor licence. These approved employers, also known as sponsors, are responsible for endorsing your application to live and work in the UK.

Eligible employers include:

• The National Health Service (NHS)
• Organisations that provide medical services to the NHS
• Providers of adult social care services

If your employer is not yet an approved sponsor, they can apply for a sponsor licence, provided they meet the necessary criteria. Aden & Co Solicitors, with expertise in immigration law, can assist your employer in navigating the application process for a Health and Care Worker Sponsor Licence, ensuring full compliance with UK immigration regulations.

Mandatory Non-Tradable Points (50 Points Required)
To successfully switch to the Health and Care Worker Visa, applicants must accumulate 50 mandatory non-tradable points. The remaining 20 points can be obtained from tradable points. The mandatory non-tradable points are outlined in the table below:

Tradable Points for Switching to Health and Care Worker Visa (20 Points Required)
An applicant must secure 20 tradable points from the options below. It is important to note that points can only be earned from one category in the table.

Salary Requirements for Health and Care Worker Visa

To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, your employer holding a sponsor licence must ensure that your annual salary is no less than £20,960. However, if the standard ‘going rate’ for your specific job exceeds this amount, the higher rate will apply. Each job category is assigned a distinct occupation code, and the corresponding annual salary rate is determined based on this code. The going rate varies depending on the job and location, with NHS pay bands and the area within the UK where you will be working also influencing the salary structure.

Who Is Ineligible to Switch to a Health and Care Worker Visa from Inside the UK?

Certain individuals cannot transition to a Health and Care Worker visa while remaining within the UK. If you are currently in the UK under one of the following conditions, you will not be able to switch to this visa category from within the country:

• Visit visa
• Short-term student visa
• Parent of a Child Student visa
• Seasonal worker visa
• Domestic worker in a private household visa
• Immigration bail status
• Granted permission to remain outside the standard immigration rules (e.g., on compassionate grounds)

If you fall under any of these categories, you are required to leave the UK and apply for a Health and Care Worker visa from outside the country.

Requirements for Students Transitioning to the Health and Care Worker Visa

As per the changes to the Immigration Rules implemented on 17 July 2023, students wishing to switch to a Health and Care Worker Visa from within the UK must meet one of the following conditions on the application date:

Condition A:
The applicant must have successfully completed the course for which they were granted a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), or a course covered under ST 27.3 of Appendix Student.

Condition B:
The applicant must be enrolled in a full-time degree-level course or higher at a higher education institution with a proven compliance history. Additionally, the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must have a start date that aligns with the course completion date.

Condition C:
The applicant must be undertaking a full-time PhD program at a higher education provider with a solid record of compliance. Furthermore, the CoS must be dated no earlier than 24 months after the commencement of the course.

Financial Requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa – Essential Criteria

When applying for permission to remain in the UK, the financial requirement must be met to ensure the applicant’s ability to support themselves. For applicants who have been residing in the UK for 12 months or more at the time of their application, the financial requirement is automatically satisfied, and no additional evidence of funds is needed.

However, if the applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the application date, they must meet one of the following conditions:

• Personal Funds: The applicant must have a minimum of £1,270 in their possession. Furthermore, they must demonstrate that these funds have been maintained for a continuous 28-day period, as outlined in Appendix Finance.
• Sponsor Certification: Alternatively, if the applicant’s sponsor holds an A-rated status, the sponsor can confirm that they will provide the necessary financial support for the applicant, including accommodation, for up to one month of employment, to a value of at least £1,270.

Health and Care Worker Visa – Duration and Conditions of Grant

For individuals applying under the Health and Care Worker Visa category, leave to remain will be granted until 14 days after the end date of their certificate of sponsorship. This period may extend up to a maximum of 5 years from the certificate’s start date.

The visa grant will be subject to the following conditions:

• The applicant will not have access to public funds.
• Employment is restricted to the specific role for which the applicant is being sponsored.
• Supplementary employment is allowed, provided the applicant continues to work in the sponsored role.
• Voluntary work is permissible.
• The applicant is allowed to fulfill a contractual notice period for a role they were legally employed in at the time of application.
• Study is allowed, subject to the ATAS condition specified in Appendix ATAS.
• If applicable, the applicant may be required to register with the police.

Super Priority Service for Health and Care Worker Visa: Decision Within 24 Hours

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our dedicated team of immigration experts offers a fast-track visa service, ensuring a swift decision on your Health and Care Worker visa application through the Priority or Super Priority service. This enables you to avoid lengthy waits for your visa decision, which can often extend for months, or in some cases, years.

Our experienced immigration solicitors expedite the preparation and submission of your application, ensuring it is processed under the Priority or Super Priority service for quicker results.

As a trusted immigration firm based in London, Aden & Co Solicitors is officially registered with the Home Office and UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), as well as its commercial partner, UKVCAS Sopra Steria. By utilizing the Priority or Super Priority service, we facilitate a faster decision from UKVI. Applications processed under the Priority Service typically receive a decision within 5 working days, while those submitted through the Super Priority Service are usually decided within 24 hours—often by the end of the following business day.

Exclusive One-Time Service for Fast-Track UK Visa Application Submission via Super Priority Service

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert immigration team offers an exclusive one-time service to submit your UK visa and immigration application through the Priority or Super Priority Service, ensuring faster processing times and quicker decisions on your application. This service is designed to expedite the application process, offering you peace of mind with prompt results.

We operate on a no-submission, no-fee basis, meaning if we do not submit your application through the Priority or Super Priority Service within 48 hours of receiving payment, we will refund the entire fee without any deductions.

Our services are provided under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). In the rare event that we are unable to submit your application within the 48-hour window, we will fully refund all fees paid to us.

If we successfully submit your application through the Priority or Super Priority Service within 48 hours, we will charge a fixed fee of £250 + VAT (£300 inclusive of VAT) as per the CFA agreement signed between you and Aden & Co Solicitors.

How We Can Assist You with Your Immigration Application

At Aden & Co Solicitors, our expert team of immigration lawyers offers comprehensive immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis. Our transparent fixed fee ensures that you pay only once for the entire process, covering all the essential tasks until a decision is rendered by the Home Office UKVI. Here is a breakdown of the services provided by our skilled immigration solicitors:

• Guidance on Immigration Requirements: Our immigration experts will assess your case and provide tailored advice on the necessary criteria you must meet for a successful application.
• Document Preparation and Review: Aden & Co Solicitors will create a detailed list of the required documents for your immigration application and carefully evaluate all your supporting paperwork to ensure full compliance with immigration rules.
• Application Form Completion: Our immigration lawyers will efficiently complete the necessary application forms for your case, ensuring accuracy and adherence to all regulations.
• Priority and Super Priority Service: Whenever feasible, our team will submit your online application via the Priority or Super Priority Service, accelerating the decision-making process to provide you with a faster response.
• Biometrics Appointment Scheduling: Once your application is submitted, our solicitors will handle the appointment scheduling with the application centre for your biometric enrollment, ensuring a smooth process.
• Preparation of a Detailed Cover Letter: Our solicitors will draft a professional cover letter that outlines the legal criteria for your immigration application and demonstrates how the submitted documents satisfy those requirements.
• Uploading Supporting Documents: Prior to your biometrics appointment, our legal team will upload all necessary supporting documents online, ensuring everything is in place for review by the Home Office.
• Comprehensive Follow-up: From start to finish, our immigration solicitors will handle all follow-up tasks, including communicating with the Home Office UKVI until a final decision is reached on your immigration application.

Aden & Co Solicitors’ Exclusive One-Off Immigration Services

Aden & Co Solicitors offers an extensive range of one-off legal services tailored to UK visa and immigration applications. These services cater to individuals who prefer not to engage in our comprehensive immigration support. Opting for any of these specialized one-off services allows for a more flexible approach to your visa and immigration process. Below are the services available:

Aden & Co Solicitors: Transparent Fixed Fees for Health and Care Worker Visa Applications

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer clear and competitive fixed fees for employer-sponsored Health and Care Worker Visa applications. Our professional services ensure a seamless process for your visa journey, with transparent pricing and no hidden charges. Below is the detailed fee structure for our services:

The final fee for your application will be determined based on its complexity and the volume of casework required. Please note that, in addition to our fixed fees, applicants are responsible for paying the Home Office UKVI application fees.