UK Health and Care Worker Visa 2026: What Changed for Care Workers
Overseas recruitment for care worker and senior care worker roles closed in July 2025. The visa still exists for eligible health professionals and for care workers already in the UK — here is the state of play.
The Health and Care Worker visa is a version of the Skilled Worker route with lower fees and no Immigration Health Surcharge, for eligible health and social care professionals sponsored by an approved UK employer. In 2026 it looks very different for care workers than it did two years ago.
The big change: overseas care worker recruitment has closed
Since 22 July 2025, UK employers can no longer recruit Care Workers or Senior Care Workers (roles below degree level) directly from overseas on this visa. If you are outside the UK and looking for a care worker role, this route is not open to you.
What still works
Health professionals — doctors, nurses, midwives, many allied health professions, and other roles at the required skill level — can still be sponsored on the Health and Care Worker visa from overseas, provided the employer is approved and the salary and skill requirements are met.
Care workers already in the UK benefit from transitional arrangements. If you are here on this route, you can generally extend your visa and change employers until 22 July 2028, subject to the usual rules. A separate provision lets some workers whose sponsorship ended switch employers within a set period.
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Requirements that apply to everyone in 2026
- English at CEFR B2 for new overseas applicants from 8 January 2026 (up from B1), across reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- Dependants are no longer permitted for new applicants in below-degree-level care worker and senior care worker roles — this mainly affects the in-country cohort now, given overseas recruitment has closed for those roles.
- eVisas replace physical Biometric Residence Permits for right-to-work checks.
- A genuine job offer from an approved health or care sector sponsor, at or above the relevant salary and going rate.
If you were planning a care worker move from overseas
That specific plan does not work anymore. Realistic alternatives to look at:
- A health profession role if you are qualified (nursing being the most common) — still sponsorable.
- The standard [Skilled Worker visa](/blog/uk-skilled-worker-visa-2026) for a different occupation at degree level.
- Study routes into the UK, if a qualification would open a sponsorable role — see our [study in the UK guide](/blog/study-in-uk-complete-guide-2026).
Run a free [Evaluation](/evaluation) to see which UK and other routes actually fit your profile before you commit to one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a UK care worker visa from overseas in 2026?+
No. Overseas recruitment for Care Worker and Senior Care Worker roles closed on 22 July 2025. Health professionals such as nurses can still be sponsored from overseas.
I am a care worker already in the UK on this visa — what are my options?+
Transitional arrangements let you extend and change employers until 22 July 2028, subject to the rules. Get advice specific to your sponsorship situation, especially if your current sponsor's licence is at risk.
Does the Health and Care Worker visa still skip the Immigration Health Surcharge?+
Yes — eligible applicants pay reduced visa fees and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. That has not changed.
What English level do I need for the Health and Care Worker visa now?+
CEFR B2 for new overseas applications from 8 January 2026, up from B1.
Can I bring my family on the Health and Care Worker visa?+
Health professionals at the required skill level generally can. New applicants in below-degree care worker and senior care worker roles cannot bring dependants. --- *ImmigraPath is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Rules and fees change — confirm everything against the official government page for your visa, or with a licensed adviser, before you apply.*
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