UK Healthcare Worker Visa Extension Guidance

Last updated: 10 April 2024

If you currently hold a UK Healthcare Worker visa that is expiring soon, you can apply for an extension (renewal), allowing you to continue your employment in the UK. In most cases, you can renew a Health and Care Worker visa for up to 5 years, and there is no limit to the number of extensions you can apply for.

As when you first applied for your Health and Care Worker visa, when applying for your extension, you will be exempt from paying the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS). If you hold one of the older Tier 2 Health and Care visas, you will still be able to extend your visa to remain in the UK, but different salary rules may apply depending on when you applied.

It is also important to bear in mind that if you have changed jobs or employers, rather than applying for a Healthcare visa extension, you will need to apply to update your visa instead.

UK Healthcare visa extension requirement

To extend your UK Healthcare visa, in most cases, you will simply need to continue to meet the requirements you met when you were granted your visa. This means you must:

• Still have the same job you held when you were granted your Health and Care Worker visa (your current job must have the same occupation code)
• Still, be working for the same employer that issued your current certificate of sponsorship
• Have a new Certificate of Sponsorship covering your new length of employment
• Still meet the salary requirements (these may differ depending on the type of visa you held and when you applied for it).

Salary requirements

The salary requirements you need to meet may differ depending on the type of healthcare work visa you currently hold and when you applied, as follows:

• If you hold a Health and Care Worker visa, you will need to show evidence that you still have a salary of at least £29,000, or the ‘going rate^1, for your occupation (whichever is higher).
• If you hold a Tier 2 Health and Care visa and received your Certificate of sponsorship before 24^th November 2016 and you renew your healthcare visa prior to 24^th May 2023, you must have a salary of at least £20,800 per year or the ‘going rate’ (whichever is higher).
• If you hold a Tier 2 Health and Care visa and received your Certificate of sponsorship after 24^th November 2016 and you renew your visa prior to 1^st December 2026, you must have a salary of at least £29,000, or the ‘going rate’ for your occupation (whichever is higher). However, most importantly, your salary can include any allowances you receive (e.g., a London weighting), but these must be guaranteed for the length of your stay.

If you are unsure whether you meet the salary requirements, speak to an immigration solicitor prior to submitting your application for a Healthcare Worker visa extension.

Health Worker visa extension applicants may only require a salary of between 70% and 90% of the going rate for their profession (as long as it is no less than £23,200 per year) if they:

• Have a job that is on the UK shortage occupation list
• Are under 26, studying or a recent graduate
• Are in professional training
• Have a PhD in science, technology, engineering or maths
• Have a postdoctoral position in a scientific role

How to apply for a UK Healthcare Worker visa extension

To renew your UK Health and Care Worker visa or a Tier 2 Health and Care visa, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Get a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer covering your new length of employment.
• Prepare and submit the online application form² - this must be done before your current visa expires. Your dependants (partner and children) must apply separately to extend their dependant visa. This can be done when you apply or any time before their current visa expires.
• Pay the application fee (£247 per person for up to 3 years or £479 per person for more than 3 years).
• Book and attend a biometric appointment at your nearest UKVCAS service point.
• Upload any documents requested by the Home Office (including your new Certificate of Sponsorship).

In most cases, you can expect to receive a decision on your UK Healthcare visa extension from UKVI within 3 weeks once you have proven your identity and provided your documents. Even if your current visa expires, you can continue working while waiting for visa decision in the UK during this time.

How can Reiss Edwards help?

Reiss Edwards is a leading immigration solicitor based in Central London. We are experienced in handling UK visa applications and renewals, including visa extensions for health care workers. We can:

• Review your eligibility for a UK Health Worker visa extension
• Explain your other immigration options (e.g. settlement, family visa, business visa)
• Handle your UK Health and Care Worker visa or Tier 2 Health and Care visa extension application on your behalf
• Ensure that your immigration status and that of your family are secure
• Assist with a refusal of your UK Health and Care Worker visa renewal application

References

¹ GOV.UK: Going rates for eligible occupations

² GOV.UK: Online application form