Health and Care Worker visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian doctors, nurses, health professionals and adult social care professionals with a confirmed job offer and certificate of sponsorship apply online on gov.uk for a Health and Care Worker visa — they do not pay the healthcare surcharge and usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Lets medical professionals come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care, with a certificate of sponsorship from an approved employer.
- Validity
- Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it.
- Entries
- You can travel abroad and return to the UK during your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 5 years before you need to extend it.
When to start
Start 21 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
You must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional, work in an eligible health or social care job, and have a confirmed job offer before you apply.
You must have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer before you apply.
Complete the application on gov.uk. It costs £324 per person for up to 3 years or £628 for more than 3 years — and you do not pay the healthcare surcharge. You can apply up to 3 months before you start work.
As part of your application you'll need to prove your identity — using the ID Check app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre.
You'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
What you'll need
- Valid passport — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number — Your certificate of sponsorship reference number — your employer will give you this. ✓ verified
- Proof of knowledge of English — Proof of your knowledge of English. ✓ verified
- Employer name and sponsor licence number — The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number — this will be on your certificate of sponsorship. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — either with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a UK visa application centre (VFS Global) in India.
Fees
| Health and Care Worker visa (up to 3 years) | GBP 324 |
Gotchas to watch
- You - and your partner or children - will not have to pay the healthcare surcharge.
- You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK.