Understanding the UK Health & Care Visa: A Guide for Indian Applicants

The United Kingdom is experiencing a significant shortage of health and care workers, leading to the issuance of 77,700 long-term work visas for care workers. This marks a substantial increase from the previous year. In response to the growing vacancies, the UK government added senior care workers to the Shortage Occupation list in 2021, followed by care workers in February 2022.

To address the shortage, the Health & Care Worker visa was introduced in August 2020, allowing medical professionals to work in the UK with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. This article provides essential information for Indians interested in this visa route.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify, applicants must be qualified doctors, nurses, health professionals, or adult social care professionals with a job offer from a UK employer approved by the UK Home Office. The salary for the job must meet minimum requirements listed on the UK Government website. Applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency to at least level B1 on the CEFR scale.

Recognition of Degrees:

Applicants with degrees from Indian universities need to confirm the equivalence of their qualifications to a UK bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC).

Application Process:

Indians applying from outside the UK can apply online through the official UK government website. As part of the process, applicants will need to prove their identity, usually by providing fingerprints and a photograph at a visa application center in India to obtain a biometric residence permit.

Fees and Financial Support:

There are various fees associated with the Health and Care Visa, and applicants must demonstrate financial support by having at least £1,270 available. The standard application fee depends on the visa length, ranging from £284 for up to three years to £551 for more than three years.

Processing Time:

Upon submission of the online application and necessary documents, decisions are typically made within three weeks. However, some cases may take longer, depending on factors such as document verification or personal circumstances.

Visa Duration and Renewal:

The Health and Care Visa can last up to 5 years and is renewable. Holders must apply to extend or update visas when they expire or if their job or employer changes.

Benefits for Dependents:

Dependant partners or children, including those born in the UK during the stay, may accompany visa holders. Evidence of these relationships must be provided during the application process.

Transition to UK Citizenship:

After five years, Health and Care Visa holders may apply for permanent settlement in the UK under the ‘indefinite leave to remain’ scheme. This grants the right to live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely, with eligibility for certain benefits.

It’s important to note that while visa holders are not eligible for benefits before this period, they can receive health treatment on the NHS. In 2022, 30,000 Indian nationals moved to the UK under the health and care worker visa route, with over half bringing dependents with them.

Originally published at http://amitkakkareasyvisa.wordpress.com on January 12, 2024.