How much does the UK Health and Care Worker visa cost?
The Health and Care Worker visa is the route most qualified doctors, nurses and other health professionals use to work in the UK. It is cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker route, mainly because of the Immigration Health Surcharge exemption. Here is what it costs the applicant, from GOV.UK.
Reference period: July 2026. Figures are drawn directly from the official sources named on this page.
How much does the UK Health and Care Worker visa cost in 2026?
As of July 2026, the UK Health and Care Worker visa application fee is £324 per person for a visa of up to three years, or £628 for more than three years, per GOV.UK. Crucially, this route is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (£0), which the standard Skilled Worker route charges. You must usually be paid at least £25,000, or the going rate for your job if higher.
What the visa costs you
The two headline costs of a UK visa are usually the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. The Health and Care Worker route keeps the first low and removes the second entirely. The table below is the applicant-facing cost; the employer pays separate sponsorship fees.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee — up to 3 years | £324 per person | Each dependant pays the same |
| Application fee — more than 3 years | £628 per person | Each dependant pays the same |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £0 — exempt | A significant saving vs the standard Skilled Worker route |
| Minimum salary | Usually £25,000+ | Or the occupation going rate if that is higher |
Why it is cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker visa
The Health and Care Worker visa sits inside the Skilled Worker system but has a reduced application fee and — the big one — a full exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which on the standard route is charged for every year of the visa. Over a multi-year visa with dependants, that exemption alone can be worth several thousand pounds. You still need a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer; you cannot apply speculatively. Confirm the current figures for your occupation code on GOV.UK before you plan.
Health and Care Worker visa cost: FAQs
- How much is the Health and Care Worker visa application fee?
- The application fee is £324 per person for a visa of up to three years, or £628 per person for more than three years (source: GOV.UK, July 2026). Your partner and children each pay the same fee.
- Do I have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?
- No. The Health and Care Worker visa is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge for the main applicant and their dependants. On the standard Skilled Worker route the surcharge is charged per year of the visa, so the exemption is one of the main financial advantages of the health and care route.
- What is the minimum salary for the Health and Care Worker visa?
- You must usually be paid at least £25,000 a year, or the "going rate" for your specific occupation code if that is higher — whichever is greater. Each occupation code has its own going rate, so check the current figure for your role on GOV.UK.
- Who pays for the certificate of sponsorship?
- The employer that sponsors you. A licensed UK sponsor (for example an NHS trust) issues an electronic Certificate of Sponsorship for the specific role and pays the associated sponsor fees. Health and Care Worker roles are also exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge that applies to most other Skilled Worker sponsorships. Exact employer fees are set out on GOV.UK.
- Can Gera or GeraClinic sponsor my visa?
- No. GeraClinic does not hold a sponsor licence, does not issue Certificates of Sponsorship and does not place anyone into UK jobs. The sponsoring employer provides the Certificate of Sponsorship, and you apply for the visa yourself through GOV.UK. This page is information only.
Working out your total move cost?
The visa is one line in a bigger budget. Our relocation breakdown adds registration, exams and the English test so you can see the full cost of moving to the UK as a healthcare worker.
Contains public sector information published by UK Home Office (GOV.UK) and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker visa: how much it costs (July 2026).
Contains public sector information published by UK Home Office (GOV.UK) and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: GOV.UK — Health and Care Worker visa (July 2026).
This page is independent educational information for people researching UK healthcare qualification, registration and pay of their own accord. It is not legal, immigration, financial or careers advice, and it is not a job offer. Gera Systems Ltd is not a medical regulator and is not a recruitment agency — it does not register clinicians and does not place anyone into NHS or other UK jobs. Fees, pay scales and immigration rules change periodically — always confirm the current figure with the named source (NHS Employers, GMC, NMC and GOV.UK) before making any decision.