If you are a medical professional or a care worker who has been offered a job in the UK’s health or social care sector, you may be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa. This visa is part of the Skilled Worker visa route and allows you to work in the UK for up to five years. You can also bring your partner and children with you, as well as extend or switch your visa if you meet the requirements.
But how much does it cost to sponsor one person to the UK on a care visa? And what are the registration processes and procedures you need to follow? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with all the information you need to know about applying for a Health and Care Worker visa.
What is a Health and Care Worker visa?
A Health and Care Worker visa is a type of Skilled Worker visa that is designed for medical professionals and care workers who have been offered a job in the UK’s health or social care sector. The health and care sector includes the National Health Service (NHS), an NHS supplier, or an organisation that provides adult social care services.
To be eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:
1.have a valid job offer from a UK employer that is a licensed sponsor
2.have a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employer that confirms your job offer and salary
3.have a job that is on the list of eligible occupations for the Health and Care Worker visa
4.have a salary of at least £20,480 per year or the appropriate rate for your occupation, whichever is higher
5.have a good knowledge of English language
6.have enough money to support yourself and your dependants in the UK
7.have a valid tuberculosis (TB) test result if you are from a country where you have to take the test
8.have a valid criminal record certificate if you are working with vulnerable people
You can check the full list of requirements and guidance for applicants on the official government website.
How much does it cost to sponsor one person to the UK on a care visa?
The cost of sponsoring one person to the UK on a care visa depends on several factors, such as the duration of your visa, the size of your employer, and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. Here is a breakdown of the main costs you need to consider:
Application fee: The standard application fee depends on whether you will be in the UK for up to three years or more than three years. The fee is the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. The current fees are:
Up to 3 years: £284 per person
More than 3 years: £551 per person
Immigration health surcharge: The immigration health surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee that gives you access to the NHS during your stay in the UK. The amount you have to pay depends on how long your visa is valid for. The current rate is £624 per year per person. However, as a health and care worker, you are exempt from paying the IHS. You will still need to complete the IHS application form, but you will not be charged.
Money to support yourself: You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa. You will usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:
you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they are in the UK. The amount they need depends on how many dependants you have and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. You can check the official guidance on financial evidence for more information.
Other costs: Depending on your circumstances, you may also have to pay for other costs, such as:
1.a tuberculosis (TB) test, if you are from a country where you have to take the test
2.a criminal record certificate, if you are working with vulnerable people
3.a biometric appointment, if you are applying from outside the UK
4. a courier fee, if you are applying from outside the UK and want your documents to be returned by courier
5. travel costs, if you need to travel to the UK or to a visa application centre
You can check the official website for more details on these costs and how to pay them.
What are the registration processes and procedures for applying for a care visa?
The registration processes and procedures for applying for a care visa vary depending on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. Here is a general overview of the steps you need to follow:
Check your eligibility
Before you apply, you should make sure you meet all the requirements for the Health and Care Worker visa. You should also check if you need a TB test or a criminal record certificate, and arrange them in advance if necessary.
Get a certificate of sponsorship
You will need a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employer to apply for the visa. A CoS is a unique reference number that confirms your job offer and salary. Your employer will need to be a licensed sponsor and have a CoS available for you. You can check the list of licensed sponsors on the official website. You will need to use your CoS within 3 months of receiving it.
Apply online
You will need to fill in an online application form and pay the application fee. You will also need to complete the IHS application form, but you will not be charged. You will need to provide some personal and biometric information, such as your name, date of birth, passport number, and fingerprints. You will also need to upload some supporting documents, such as your CoS, proof of English language, and proof of funds. You can check the list of documents you will need to apply on the official website.
Attend an appointment
If you are applying from outside the UK, you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre in your country. You will need to bring your passport, your application confirmation, and any other documents that you have not uploaded online. You will also need to provide your biometric information at the appointment. If you are applying from inside the UK, you will need to book and attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre. You will need to bring your current passport or biometric residence permit, your application confirmation, and any other documents that you have not uploaded online. You will also need to provide your biometric information at the appointment.
Receive your decision
You will usually receive a decision on your visa application within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or within 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK. You may be able to pay for a priority or super priority service to get a faster decision. You can check the current processing times on the official website. If your application is successful, you will receive a vignette (sticker) in your passport if you apply from outside the UK, or a biometric residence permit (BRP) if you apply from inside the UK. These will show your visa validity and conditions. You will also receive an email confirmation with your immigration status and rights in the UK.
Conclusion
Sponsoring one person to the UK on a care visa can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also involves some costs and procedures that you need to be aware of. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can prepare yourself for applying for a Health and Care Worker visa and start your journey to working in the UK’s health or social care sector. We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us. We wish you all the best with your visa application and your future career in the UK.
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