Blogs > Visas

Extending your Health and Care Worker Visa

• October 01, 2021

The Skilled Worker Visa has replaced the Tier 2 visa. More specifically, the Health and Care Worker Visa is the category international doctors will come under when applying. The fees and requirements for this are slightly different; here we explain how you can obtain and extend the Health and Care Worker Visa.

Can I extend my visa?

You can usually apply to extend a Skilled Worker visa or a Tier 2 (General) work visa if all of the following are true:

• you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
• your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
• you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship

What if I change job or employer?

You’ll need to apply to update your Skilled Worker or Tier 2 (General) work visa if:

• you want to change your job and your new job is with a different employer
• your job changes to a different occupation code, and you’re not in a graduate training program
• you leave a job that’s on the shortage occupation list for a job that is not on the list

What about dependents?

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Please note: whilst your application is in process you must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

What if I currently have a Tier 2 (General) work visa?

You may need to meet different eligibility requirements, depending on:

• whether you got the certificate of sponsorship for your first Tier 2 visa before or after 24 November 2016
• whether you applied for your first Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker visa before 6 April 2021
• your occupation code - some have different going rates

The requirements will apply if you either:

• have a Tier 2 (General) work visa
• had a Tier 2 (General) work visa which you’ve extended as a Skilled Worker visa

What fees will be involved?

You may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.

When you apply for a Health and Care Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:

• pay the application fee
• support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

The standard application fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £232 per person
• more than 3 years - £464 per person

These fees are for the Health and Care Worker visa which is the category IMGs will come under when applying for the Skilled Worker visa. The fee is the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. In addition, your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.

This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.

You may have seen the Healthcare surcharge of £624 per year that people on the Skilled worker visa need to pay. However, this DOES NOT apply for healthcare workers.

When do I apply to update my visa?

You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.

You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered, or to work out your notice period - as long as you apply before your current visa expires.

You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission.

How do I start my application to update my visa?

You must apply online to extend your visa application: Click here.

How long will it take to get a decision?

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

How can BDI Resourcing help?

If you’re an international doctor that has any questions regarding your Health and Care Visa or if you are still looking for a position within the NHS please email your CV to [email protected] and we can support you in securing an NHS post and on your journey to relocate to the UK.

Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We have over 60 videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS!

Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go to IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have a number of episodes with tips and advice on relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.