Skilled Worker vs Health & Care Worker visa
Two UK sponsorship routes that are often confused. Here's who each is for, how the costs differ, and what changed for care roles in 2025.
| Skilled Worker visa | Health & Care Worker visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Eligible graduate-level roles across sectors | Eligible health and care professionals (e.g. nurses, doctors) |
| Sponsor licence | Standard Worker licence | Worker licence covering the health & care route |
| Immigration Skills Charge | Payable per sponsored year | Exempt |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Payable (usually by the worker) | Exempt |
| Care worker / senior care worker | Not the intended route | Closed to new overseas applicants since 22 July 2025 |
| Typical cost to sponsor | Higher (ISC + IHS apply) | Lower for eligible roles (ISC + IHS exempt) |
Which should you choose?
For eligible clinical roles, the Health & Care Worker visa is usually cheaper to sponsor because it's exempt from both the Immigration Skills Charge and the Health Surcharge — a meaningful saving over a multi-year hire.
But the overseas care-worker and senior-care-worker route closed to new applicants in July 2025, so that specific group can no longer be recruited from abroad under it. The mainstream Skilled Worker route covers most other roles.
We confirm which route a specific role qualifies for — and whether Ireland is the better market for care roles — before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Skilled Worker and Health & Care Worker visa?
Both are sponsored UK routes, but the Health & Care Worker visa is for eligible health and care professionals and is exempt from the Immigration Skills Charge and the Health Surcharge, making it cheaper to sponsor. The Skilled Worker visa covers eligible roles more broadly.
Which visa is cheaper for employers?
For eligible clinical roles the Health & Care Worker visa is typically cheaper because the ISC and IHS don't apply. For other roles the standard Skilled Worker route applies and those charges do.
Last reviewed: 16 July 2026. General information for employers, not legal advice.
Sources: UK Home Office / UKVI.
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Not sure which route fits?
Tell us the role and country — we'll recommend the right permit or visa and handle it end to end.