The Health and Care Worker Visa for India-Qualified Doctors
Once you have a job offer from a UK employer, the Health and Care Worker visa is the route most India-qualified doctors use to come and work. This page explains what the visa needs, the advantages it carries over the standard Skilled Worker route, and how it fits with your GMC registration. It is information only β the authoritative source is GOV.UK.
Figures and rules on this page were last checked against their official sources in July 2026 and are reviewed by their issuers periodically β confirm the current position at the linked sources before you rely on any figure.
In short
The Health and Care Worker visa is a Skilled Worker route for health professionals. It requires a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-licensed sponsor, and it carries reduced fees plus exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge. You apply yourself on GOV.UK β no third party sponsors the visa for you.
What the visa requires
A job offer from a licensed sponsor
You need a confirmed offer for an eligible health role from a UK employer that holds a Home Office sponsor licence β for example an NHS trust. You cannot apply for this visa speculatively without a sponsoring employer.
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your sponsoring employer issues an electronic Certificate of Sponsorship for the specific role. Its reference number goes into your visa application. The CoS is tied to that job and employer.
An eligible occupation and salary
The role must be on the list of eligible health and care occupations and meet the salary rules for the route. Salary thresholds are set by the Home Office and change, so check the current figure for your occupation code on GOV.UK.
Proof of English
You must meet the Home Office English language requirement. This is separate from the GMCβs English requirement, though a qualifying test often helps with both.
Why this route, not the standard Skilled Worker visa
The Health and Care Worker visa sits inside the Skilled Worker system but is designed for the health workforce, so it is generally cheaper and faster. Two benefits stand out for doctors: the application fee is reduced, and you are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge β the annual charge most other migrants pay to use the NHS. Over a multi-year visa with dependants, that exemption alone can be worth a substantial sum. The route can also count towards settlement.
Sequencing it with GMC registration
The tidiest sequence is usually: meet the English requirement, pass PLAB, get GMC registration with a licence to practise (or be clearly on track for it), secure a job offer from a sponsoring employer, then apply for the visa using the Certificate of Sponsorship they issue. Because the GMC and the Home Office run to different timelines, give yourself buffer β and remember the two-year window to register after PLAB 2. Always confirm the current fees, salary thresholds and rules on GOV.UK before you commit to dates.
Frequently asked questions
Which visa do India-qualified doctors use to work in the UK?
Most use the Health and Care Worker visa β a route within the Skilled Worker system for qualified doctors, nurses and other health professionals coming to work for the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. It requires a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor.
What are the advantages of the Health and Care Worker visa?
Compared with the standard Skilled Worker route it has reduced application fees and is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, which can save a significant amount. It also allows you to bring dependants and can lead to settlement over time. Exact fees and rules are on GOV.UK and change periodically.
Do I need GMC registration before I get the visa?
The visa and GMC registration are separate. In practice employers issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for a role you are eligible to do, which for a doctor means being on track for, or holding, GMC registration with a licence to practise. Sequence your GMC application, job offer and visa so they line up β many doctors secure the job offer once registration is in hand or imminent.
Can Gera or GeraClinic sponsor my visa or find me the job?
No. GeraClinic does not hold a sponsor licence, does not issue Certificates of Sponsorship, and does not place doctors into UK jobs. The sponsoring employer β such as an NHS trust β provides the Certificate of Sponsorship, and you apply for the visa yourself through GOV.UK. This page is information only.
Can my family come with me?
The Health and Care Worker visa generally allows eligible dependants (partner and children) to join you, subject to the Home Office rules and additional fees. Check the current dependant rules and costs on GOV.UK before you plan.
Practise remotely while you prepare
Preparing for UK registration takes time. GeraClinic is a separate remote telemedicine platform where doctors who hold valid NMC / State Medical Council registration in India can consult with patients online, set their own hours and fee, and keep clinical skills sharp β from home, around exam preparation. It is not connected to your GMC application or any UK role.
See remote telemedicine work for doctors in IndiaMore in the India β UK doctor pathway
- Pathway overviewA plain-English, independent guide for India-qualified doctors on how to register with the GMC and work in the UK β PLAB/UKMLA, English tests, the Health and Care Worker visa, specialty registration, and NHS pay. Information only, with links to official sources.
- PLAB / UKMLA examHow the PLAB assessment works for India-trained doctors: PLAB 1 (Applied Knowledge Test) and PLAB 2 (Clinical and Professional Skills Assessment), where they are held, current fees, and the two-year registration window. Independent guidance.
- GMC registrationThe routes an India-qualified doctor can use to obtain GMC registration with a licence to practise β PLAB/UKMLA, accepted postgraduate qualifications, and sponsorship β plus the primary-qualification and evidence requirements. Information only.
- English (IELTS / OET)The English-language evidence the GMC accepts from India-qualified doctors β IELTS Academic and OET β the scores required, validity window, and how it fits with PLAB and your visa. Independent, source-linked guidance.
- Specialty routesHow India-trained specialists progress in the UK: entering the specialist or GP register via CCT or the Portfolio Pathway, and the Royal College membership exams (MRCP, MRCS, MRCGP and others). Educational overview with official links.
- NHS salaryCurrent NHS England basic pay scales by grade β resident (junior) doctor nodal points, SAS grades and consultants β with London weighting and out-of-hours enhancements explained. Figures attributed to the BMA and NHS Employers.
Official sources
This guide summarises publicly available information. For the current, authoritative position, go to the primary sources: