What is the healthcare visa?

The UK healthcare worker visa was introduced in October 2021 to assist with the high demand for healthcare professionals. According to the hiring lab, in the United Kingdom, the term ‘nurse’ accounted for 6.9% of CV searches. There is an undeniable skill shortage in the sector. The study also shows that care work features prominently, particularly for the elderly or those with a disability, with support worker (2.4%) and care assistant (1.6%) ranking highly. These statistics reflect the UK’s ageing population figures, making healthcare workers an in-demand collective.

The healthcare worker visa, a definition

The UK healthcare worker visa aims to attract skilled individuals from outside the United Kingdom to work in the country’s heathcare services such as the NHS, adult social care and other healthcare roles.

The visa is valid for five years and can be extended as many times as necessary if the employee meets the eligibility requirements. Healthcare professionals who have been on the visa for at least five years can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.

The NHS hires overseas professionals on the healthcare visa programme on a regular basis. This allows them to address staffing shortages and to ensure that critical positions are filled to meet the growing need for healthcare services.

Related: Cost-effective suggestions for navigating the UK nurse shortage

Healthcare professionals’ eligibility requirements

To qualify for the newly introduced visa opportunity, healthcare professionals from abroad must meet several key requirements. Eligible applicants include qualified professionals such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other healthcare specialists with appropriate qualifications.

In addition, candidates must:

• Have a job offer from a licensed sponsor authorised to hire overseas workers
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of the English language
• Be able to pay the visa application fees
• Meet the required salary thresholds 

For up-to-date information about eligibility criteria, check the government website.

Healthcare worker visa, what employers need to know

The sponsorship system aims to ensure that only skilled workers are eligible for the healthcare worker visa. Employers must obtain a sponsorship licence that will allow them to assign certificates of sponsorship to migrant workers. This application process to become a sponsor is dealt with by the Home Office, which assesses whether the organisation complies with sponsorship requirements and is capable of fulfilling its duties. Once a healthcare worker has been assigned a certificate of sponsorship, they can start their visa application process.

Related: Indeed Analytics and Hiring Insights: using data to find the right talent

Employers’ requirements for work visa sponsorship

To obtain a sponsorship license, employers must demonstrate how the employee meets the healthcare visa eligibility requirements. For organisations providing services commissioned by the NHS, evidence of the contract arrangements with the NHS must also be provided.

Below is an overview of the key requirements:

• Have a genuine business requirement for the role
• No history of failing to comply with immigration rules
• Implement the adequate system, such as HR and sponsor management system, to track and manage their sponsored workers
• Proof that the company operates legally in the UK
• Demonstrate the ability to comply with sponsorship obligations
• Ensure that the role offered is compliant with the UK work regulations

Related: The EU and UK Are Attracting More Foreign Workers. But Is It Enough?

The sponsorship licence application process for employers

The sponsorship licence application process is designed to verify that employers are genuine and have a legitimate need to hire from abroad. This includes demonstrating that they are unable to find suitably skilled workers within the UK to meet their employment needs. The steps are thorough and include the following:

• Collecting information: Preparing the sponsorship documentation should be the first step for employers. This documentation includes details about the company, the role and evidence that the organisation has not been able to find candidates in the UK.
• Completing the online application: Once all required information is ready, employers can complete the online sponsor licence application form, available on the UK government’s website.
• Paying the fees: The fee to be paid is part of the application process and the amount will depend on a several different factors.
• Providing support documentation: After submitting the application, the organisation will be required to send the documentation to the UK Visas and Immigration office.
• Passing the UKVI assessment: This involves the UK Visas and Immigration departments analysing the organisation’s application and reviewing the documentation provided. Their decision is usually made within eight weeks.
• Keeping records and ensuring compliance: The sponsor licence must be maintained by the employer on an ongoing basis. Employers have the duty to keep records and file them correctly. UKVI conducts random checks to ensure compliance by employers.
• Reporting any changes: It is the employer’s responsibility to report any changes to employment status. For example, if the employee changes jobs within the organisation or terminates the contract, the employer should report this to UKVI.
• Renewing the sponsor licence: For employers, the sponsor licence is not permanent. It needs to be renewed periodically with UKVI reassessing the employer’s eligibility.

Related: The employer’s guide to right to work documentation and right to work share code

Benefits and drawbacks of hiring healthcare visa workers

In the United Kingdom, the contribution of immigrants to employment has risen significantly. In July 2024, 4.9% of all clicks on UK job postings came from outside the UK. Before deciding if hiring from abroad is the right decision for your organisation, it is essential to be aware of the benefits and the drawbacks of this solution.

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Benefits of hiring workers from overseas

The main advantage of hiring an employee from abroad is to broaden the talent pool beyond local applicants. This significantly increases the likelihood of finding qualified individuals. The healthcare visa also requires employers to prove that their selected candidate meets the qualification criteria, adding an extra layer of assurance.

Interestingly, the complexity of the visa process can also be advantageous. It demonstrates the employer’s commitment to the role and fosters mutual dedication between employer and employee to carry out the sponsorship for the duration of the contract. This often leads to increased engagement and loyalty to the organisation throughout the contract period.

Additionally, employees from abroad often bring unique skills and techniques that offer a new perspective to organisations. This can lead to improved patient care and business progress, enhancing the patient experience.

Related: How to develop talent and improve employee experience

Drawbacks of hiring workers from overseas

The main disadvantage of hiring overseas individuals is the lengthy process, which can take as long as three months. One way to offset delays is to anticipate by obtaining a sponsorship licence even if the need is not immediate.

Another consideration is the additional costs associated with the healthcare worker visa. Employers should account for these expenses when considering the healthcare worker visa.

Related: Recruitment and Section: How to Choose the Right Candidate

The healthcare visa is a unique opportunity for organisations in the healthcare industry. It offers a number of benefits to both employees and the organisation sponsoring their visa. For employers struggling to find candidates for their job vacancies, the programme might be the right fit and help ensure business operations are not disrupted by resource shortages or skill gaps in their teams.

Related: What is skills-based hiring?