UK Health and Care Worker Visa: Everything Sri Lankans Need to Know
What Makes This Visa Special?
The Health and Care Worker Visa is a sub-category of the UK Skilled Worker route, available to doctors, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals taking up roles with the NHS, NHS-funded social care, or registered health and care providers. Key benefits:
- Government application fee waived (employer pays)
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) waived — saving £4,000+ over a 5-year visa
- Processing in 3–5 weeks (standard) or 5 working days (priority)
- Direct path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years
Eligibility Requirements
You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK employer. Your job must appear on the eligible occupation list, and your salary must meet the minimum threshold (currently £29,000/year or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher).
English Language
Sri Lankan nurses applying through the NMC pathway must pass OET (Grade B in all components) or IELTS Academic 7.0+ in each component. Doctors registered with the GMC follow a separate English evidence route.
NMC Registration for Nurses
Before your visa can be granted, nurses must pass the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) and complete the NMC's Computer-Based Test (CBT). Many UK hospitals offer OSCE preparation support after you arrive on a short-term visa or upon entry.
Salary Expectations
| Band | Annual Salary (2025) |
|---|---|
| Band 5 (Staff Nurse) | £28,407 – £34,581 |
| Band 6 (Senior Nurse) | £35,392 – £42,618 |
| Band 7 (Specialist) | £43,742 – £50,056 |
How to Find a UK Employer
The NHS Jobs portal (jobs.nhs.uk) lists international recruitment campaigns. Private recruitment agencies specialising in healthcare — such as Medacs, Acacium, and NES Healthcare — actively recruit from Sri Lanka.