Navigating the UK’s immigration system can be challenging, especially when trying to determine which visa is right for you. The Health and Care Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa are two of the most common options.
While they both cater to skilled workers, there are key differences that potential applicants should understand.
What is the Health and Care Visa?
The Health and Care Visa is specifically designed for individuals looking to work in health and social care roles.
Launched as part of the UK’s effort to attract healthcare professionals to address workforce shortages, this visa allows eligible applicants to come to the UK to work for the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.
Check here to get a clearer understanding about the bands in the UK healthcare jobs.
Key Features of the Health and Care Visa:
- Eligibility: Applicants must have a job offer in a qualifying health or care role, such as a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other healthcare professional.
- Sponsorship: You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an approved employer.
- Application Fees: Generally lower than the Skilled Worker Visa, with specific exemptions for certain roles.
- Health Surcharge: Reduced or waived for many applicants, which can significantly lower the cost of applying.
- Family Inclusion: Eligible applicants can bring dependents (spouses and children) with them.
Read also: Top Websites for NHS Jobs: Your Guide to Starting a Career in The NHS
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa is a more general visa category for individuals with job offers in a wide range of skilled occupations. It aims to fill skill gaps across various sectors of the UK economy, not limited to healthcare.
While job seeking, it is important to know if the potential company can sponsor your visa, check here to know how.
Key Features of the Skilled Worker Visa:
- Eligibility: Applicants must have a job offer from a UK employer that is a Home Office-approved sponsor. The job must meet the required skill level and salary threshold.
- Sponsorship: Similar to the Health and Care Visa, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship is required.
- Application Fees: Higher than the Health and Care Visa, with varying costs based on the length of stay and whether the job is on a shortage occupation list.
- Health Surcharge: A standard health surcharge applies, which grants access to the NHS.
- Family Inclusion: Like the Health and Care Visa, dependents can accompany the main applicant.
Key Differences
1. Sector Specificity:
- The Health and Care Visa is tailored specifically for health and social care roles.
- The Skilled Worker Visa is broader, covering various industries including IT, engineering, finance, and more.
2. Application Costs:
- The Health and Care Visa often comes with lower application fees and potential waivers for the health surcharge.
- The Skilled Worker Visa has higher fees, especially for roles not on the shortage occupation list.
3. Job Requirements:
- For the Health and Care Visa, jobs must be in specific health-related fields.
- The Skilled Worker Visa requires that the job meets a minimum skill level, which can be more varied across different sectors.
Salary Thresholds:
For the Health and Care Visa, applicants with an eligible occupation on the Immigration Salary List must receive an annual salary of at least £23,300 or the going rate for their job, whichever is higher.
As per the new Immigration Rules published on 13 March 2024, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has increased to £38,700, effective from 4 April 2024.
Additionally, the going rate for individual SOC codes will also change on this date. Check this for the new entrant salary requirements in the UK.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Health and Care Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa depends largely on your profession and circumstances.
If you’re a healthcare professional looking to contribute to the UK’s health and social care sector, the Health and Care Visa may be the right choice.
However, if you work in another skilled occupation, the Skilled Worker Visa could be the way to go.
Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision about your future in the UK.
Be sure to consult official resources or seek professional advice to ensure you’re on the right path to securing your visa.
See also: 20 Facts About Working From Home.
