Health and Care Worker Visa for Romanians: How to Apply (2026)

Romanian doctors, nurses, and care workers can move to the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa, which has significantly reduced fees and faster processing than the standard Skilled Worker route — and which exempts both the applicant and their dependants from the Immigration Health Surcharge entirely.

This guide covers who qualifies, what the current fees are, which roles changed in July 2025, and the step-by-step application process. For the full range of available routes, see our overview of UK visa options for Romanians.

Health and Care Worker vs Skilled Worker: Key Differences

The Health and Care Worker visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker route — it uses the same sponsorship framework but with significantly better terms for eligible healthcare applicants.

Over a 5-year visa, the combination of lower fees and full IHS exemption saves a single applicant approximately £7,600 compared to the standard Skilled Worker route — and more if dependants are included (dependants are also IHS-exempt on this route).

Who Is Eligible

You must meet all four of the following conditions to qualify:

• Eligible role — your job must appear on the Health and Care Worker visa eligible occupations list on gov.uk. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, most allied health professionals, and selected social care roles. Your employer will know the correct SOC code for your role.
• Approved employer — you must work for the NHS, an organisation providing services directly to the NHS, or a CQC-regulated adult social care provider. Private hospitals and clinics that do not deliver NHS-funded services do not qualify.
• RQF Level 6 or above — for new applications from 22 July 2025, the role must require degree-level skills. Some lower-level roles remain eligible if on the Immigration Salary List (until December 2026). Check your SOC code on gov.uk.
• Salary meets the threshold — for most NHS roles, Agenda for Change Band 5 and above comfortably meets the thresholds. The minimum is £25,000/yr for roles on the Agenda for Change pay scale, or the going rate for your occupation code if not on AfC — whichever is higher.

Visa Fees and Costs

The Health and Care Worker visa is significantly cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker route — and the IHS exemption makes the total saving over a 5-year visa substantial.

Eligible Roles

The following professions are among those currently eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa. This is not an exhaustive list — always verify your specific SOC code on gov.uk:

• Medical practitioners (doctors) — SOC 2211, 2212
• Nurses (registered) — SOC 2231
• Midwives (registered) — SOC 2232
• Pharmacists — SOC 2213
• Physiotherapists — SOC 2221
• Occupational therapists — SOC 2222
• Radiographers — SOC 2223
• Paramedics — SOC 3213
• Social workers — SOC 2461
• Dental practitioners — SOC 2215
• Laboratory technicians (SOC 3111) — on Temporary Shortage List until end 2026
• Nursing auxiliaries and assistants (SOC 6131) — eligible from 1 April 2026 where Band 3 salary is met

The Immigration Salary List (ISL), which allows some lower-level roles, is scheduled to be phased out in December 2026. If your role depends on ISL eligibility, check the current status at gov.uk before applying.

Professional Registration Before You Can Work

Most regulated healthcare roles require UK professional registration before you can begin practising. This is separate from the visa and typically takes several months. Plan for this in your overall timeline:

• Doctors — General Medical Council (GMC). Requires PLAB test or GMC-recognised specialist qualification. Takes 3–6 months typically.
• Nurses and midwives — Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Requires a Computer Based Test (CBT) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Most NHS employers provide support and funding for the OSCE.
• Pharmacists — General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Overseas assessment route required.
• Allied health professionals — relevant professional body (HCPC for most). Portfolio-based or competency assessment.

You can apply for the visa while registration is in progress in some cases — your employer will advise on the specific documentation requirements. Never start working in a regulated role in the UK without the appropriate registration in place.

How to Apply

1. Secure a job offer from an NHS body, an organisation delivering NHS-funded services, or a CQC-regulated adult social care provider on the licensed sponsors register. Confirm your SOC code is eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa.
2. Employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship — they do this through their Sponsor Management System. You receive a CoS reference number. Valid for 3 months — apply within this window.
3. Gather documents — CoS reference number, current passport, proof of English (B2 level — IELTS for UKVI, relevant degree, or exemption), professional qualifications and registration documents, and financial evidence if required.
4. Apply online at gov.uk — use the Skilled Worker visa application form. When asked whether you are applying for a Health and Care Worker visa, select Yes. This routes your application to the correct fee and processing track. Applying under the wrong category results in paying standard Skilled Worker fees.
5. Pay the visa fee — £304 for up to 3 years (£324 from 8 April 2026) from outside the UK. There is no IHS payment on this route.
6. Attend biometrics at a Visa Application Centre in Romania (Bucharest). Give fingerprints and hand over your passport.
7. Await decision — typically within 3 weeks. Applications are prioritised by UKVI. A dedicated NHS support team is available at UKVINHSteam@homeoffice.gov.uk for queries.
8. Receive eVisa — from 25 February 2026, no physical BRP is issued. You receive a digital eVisa linked to your UKVI account. Your NHS employer will verify your status online.

Bringing Family

Your partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants on your Health and Care Worker visa. Crucially, dependants are also exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge — a saving of £1,035 per year per person, or £5,175 over a 5-year visa for each dependant.

Dependants have general right to work in the UK — they can work for the NHS, in another sector, or not work. Your salary must meet the dependant income threshold (currently £29,000/yr) to bring a partner.

Path to Settlement

The Health and Care Worker visa leads to ILR after 5 continuous years of UK residence — the same as the standard Skilled Worker route. This is a significant advantage in 2026: most other visa categories are transitioning to a 10-year ILR route from April 2026. Health and Care Worker visa holders retain the 5-year path.

After ILR, you can apply for British citizenship after a further year. Romania permits dual citizenship — you would not need to give up your Romanian passport.

Choosing This Route

For any Romanian healthcare professional who qualifies, the Health and Care Worker visa is straightforwardly the better choice over the standard Skilled Worker route. The fee savings are real and substantial, the processing is faster, and the 5-year ILR path is preserved. The only question is whether your role and employer are eligible — and that comes down to the specific SOC code and whether your employer holds the right sponsor licence type.

The July 2025 changes narrowed the route for care workers at the lower end of the occupational scale. If you are a registered nurse, doctor, or allied health professional, the changes do not affect you. If you work in adult social care, the picture is more complex and depends on your specific occupation code and employment setting.

Verify your eligibility directly on gov.uk — the eligible occupations list is updated periodically, and the Immigration Salary List on which some roles depend is scheduled to be withdrawn in December 2026. Both details can change. Using this guide as a starting point is sensible; using it as the final word before submitting an application is not.

Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK immigration rules change frequently. Fees shown reflect rates as of April 2026. Always verify current requirements at gov.uk before making any application. Last reviewed April 2026.