What is the Health and Care Worker Visa?
The Health and Care Worker Visa is a special category of the Skilled Worker Visa designed for qualified medical professionals. It allows Kenyan nurses, doctors, and care workers to work in the UK healthcare sector with significant benefits:
- Lower visa fees than the standard Skilled Worker Visa
- IHS Exemption: You don't pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (saves you thousands)
- Faster processing in most cases
- Path to settlement after 5 years
Who Can Apply?
This visa is for healthcare professionals with a job offer in an eligible occupation:
- Registered Nurses and Midwives
- Doctors and Physicians
- Paramedics and Medical Technicians
- Care Workers and Home Carers (adult social care)
- Other allied health professionals
Important: Your job offer must be from an approved sponsor (NHS Trust, private hospital, or registered care provider).
Have a job offer from a UK healthcare provider? We can help you prepare your visa application and gather the required documents. Book a consultation →
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
This is the most critical document for your application. The CoS is issued by your UK employer and contains:
- Your personal details and job title
- Salary and working hours
- SOC code (occupation code) – this must match eligible healthcare roles
- Start date of employment
You cannot apply for the visa until you have your CoS reference number. This is not a physical document – it's a unique code in the UK immigration system.
English Language Requirement
You must prove your English proficiency. Options for Kenyan healthcare workers:
For Nurses
- IELTS Academic: Minimum 7.0 overall, 7.0 in each component
- OET (Occupational English Test): Grade B in all four components – often preferred by nurses
For Doctors
- IELTS Academic: 7.5 overall, 7.0 minimum in each component
- OET: Grade B in all four components
- PLAB Test: If you pass PLAB, you've demonstrated English proficiency
Kenya-Specific Requirements
TB Test
All Kenyan applicants must take a Tuberculosis test at IOM Kenya (International Organization for Migration) in Nairobi. Book early as slots fill up quickly.
- Cost: Approximately KES 8,000
- Location: IOM Nairobi
- Validity: 6 months from test date
Police Certificate
You need a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Apply via eCitizen portal:
- Cost: KES 1,050
- Processing: About 2 weeks
- Validity: 6 months
NMC Registration (For Nurses)
Before applying for the visa, you typically need to complete the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) registration process, which includes CBT test and OSCE.
Navigating NMC registration and visa together? Our team understands the process for Kenyan nurses and can guide you step by step. Get expert guidance →
Financial Requirements
You must show you can support yourself in the UK until your first salary:
- Minimum funds: £1,270 in your account for 28 days
- Alternative: Your sponsor can certify they will support you (Certificate of Sponsorship confirms this)
Application Process
- Get job offer from UK healthcare employer
- Complete professional registration (NMC for nurses, GMC for doctors)
- Receive CoS from your sponsor
- Take TB test at IOM Nairobi
- Get Police Certificate from DCI
- Apply online at GOV.UK
- Pay visa fee (IHS is exempt!)
- Book biometrics at VFS Global Nairobi
- Await decision
Why Kenyan Nurses Choose This Route
The UK has a significant shortage of healthcare workers, making this one of the most accessible work visa routes for Kenyan professionals. Key advantages:
- High demand for nurses in NHS and private care
- Competitive salaries (£20,000-35,000+ depending on role)
- Clear path to permanent residence
- Option to bring family (spouse and children)
- No IHS fee – significant savings
Want to bring your spouse and children? They can join you under the Spouse/Partner Visa as dependants.