Last updated: 6 November 2026. UK visa rules change often, so check GOV.UK before you apply.
Can healthcare assistants still get UK visa sponsorship?
Yes, until 31 December 2026, and only in the right kind of job. Healthcare assistant and healthcare support worker roles in settings with registered nurses (SOC code 6131) can still be sponsored from overseas. That access comes through the Immigration Salary List, which ends on 31 December 2026. Care home and home care worker roles closed to overseas applicants in July 2025.
Key dates at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 22 July 2025 | Care worker (SOC 6135) and senior care worker (SOC 6136) roles closed to new applicants from overseas. |
| 8 January 2026 | English requirement for new Skilled Worker applicants rose to level B2. |
| 1 April 2026 | 2026/27 NHS pay award: entry-level Band 3 pay now clears the £25,000 Health and Care visa minimum. |
| 31 December 2026 | Immigration Salary List entry for healthcare assistants (SOC 6131) ends. Only certificates of sponsorship issued before this date count. |
| 22 July 2028 | End of the transition period for care workers already in the UK to switch or extend (kept under review). |
Who can still apply, and who can’t
| Your situation | Overseas applicant | Already in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare assistant / support worker in a hospital or clinical team with registered nurses (SOC 6131) | Yes, if your certificate of sponsorship is issued before 31 December 2026 | Yes, same deadline |
| Care worker or senior care worker in a care home or home care (SOC 6135 / 6136) | No, closed since 22 July 2025 | Possibly: switching or extending is allowed until 22 July 2028 if you meet the conditions |
| Registered nurse (degree-level) | Yes, not affected by the 31 December deadline | Yes |
Healthcare assistant vs care worker: why the job code matters
Job titles overlap, but the visa rules follow the occupation code your employer uses on your certificate of sponsorship, not the job title on the advert.
- SOC 6131 (nursing auxiliaries and assistants): healthcare assistants, healthcare support workers, maternity care assistants and similar roles. For visa purposes this only covers jobs in settings where registered nurses or other registered healthcare professionals also work, typically NHS hospitals and clinical services.
- SOC 6135 / 6136 (care workers and senior care workers): care home and home care roles focused on daily living support. These are closed to new overseas applicants.
If an advert says “care assistant” in a care home, it is most likely a 6135 role, even if the pay looks similar. Ask the employer which code they will use before you spend money on an application.
What you need for a healthcare assistant visa right now
- A job offer from a licensed sponsor. Check the employer on the register of licensed sponsors.
- A role that fits SOC 6131, in a setting with registered nurses.
- Salary of at least £25,000 or the NHS pay scale rate, whichever is higher. Band 3 in 2026/27 starts at £25,760.
- English at level B2 for new applications made from 8 January 2026.
- A certificate of sponsorship issued before 31 December 2026. The employer pays for this. They should not pass the cost to you.
What happens after 31 December 2026?
Under the rules as they stand, a certificate of sponsorship for a healthcare assistant role issued on or after 31 December 2026 will not qualify. NHS Employers has said new applications under SOC 6131 will not be possible after December 2026.
In July 2026 the Migration Advisory Committee recommended 28 occupations for a new Temporary Shortage List from January 2027. Healthcare assistants were not on that list. As of early November 2026 the government had not published its response, so this could still change. We will update this page when it does.
What to do if you’re applying now
- Focus on Band 3 NHS-type roles. Those are the healthcare assistant jobs most likely to be sponsorable before the deadline. See the latest healthcare assistant jobs on Lavhi.
- Ask about timing early. At interview, ask whether the employer can assign your certificate of sponsorship before 31 December 2026.
- Get your English test booked. You’ll need B2, and test dates can be the slowest part.
- Make your CV fit UK healthcare. Read our 7 CV tips that get healthcare interviews in the UK.
- Avoid anyone charging you for a job or a sponsorship certificate. See how to find UK healthcare jobs with visa sponsorship without getting misled.
Your options after the deadline
- Train or qualify as a registered nurse. Degree-level nursing roles stay eligible for the Health and Care visa.
- If you’re already in the UK on another visa, care worker roles may still let you switch until 22 July 2028, if you have worked for the sponsor for at least three months first.
- Think about settlement too. Nurses and other health professionals on national pay scales keep a 5-year route to settlement under the newly announced rules, while most others will wait 10 years. Read who still gets ILR in 5 years.
- Look at other healthcare roles that stay eligible in our guide to healthcare jobs still open to overseas applicants.
Employers that sponsor healthcare roles
Start with our lists of licensed companies offering healthcare visa sponsorship and care agencies that offer visa sponsorship. Care agency roles are mainly an option for people already in the UK. For the wider rules, read everything you need to know about UK healthcare and Skilled Worker visas.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply from Nigeria, Ghana or India for a healthcare assistant job?
Yes, if the job is a SOC 6131 role in a setting with registered nurses, pays at least £25,000, and your employer issues your certificate of sponsorship before 31 December 2026.
Is a care assistant the same as a healthcare assistant for visa purposes?
Not always. Care home and home care roles usually use SOC 6135, which closed to overseas applicants on 22 July 2025. Hospital healthcare assistant roles usually use SOC 6131, which is open until 31 December 2026.
What is the minimum salary for a healthcare assistant visa?
£25,000 a year or the NHS pay scale rate for the role, whichever is higher. Entry-level Band 3 is £25,760 in 2026/27.
What if my certificate of sponsorship is issued before 31 December but I apply in January?
The rule looks at when the certificate was issued. A certificate issued before 31 December 2026 should still count, but check with your employer and GOV.UK, because certificates have their own validity period.
Can I bring my family on a healthcare assistant visa?
The ban on dependants applies to care workers and senior care workers (SOC 6135/6136). Check GOV.UK for your role before you plan, as dependant rules have changed several times.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Immigration Rules Appendix Immigration Salary List
- GOV.UK: Health and Care visa guidance for applicants
- NHS Employers: Health and Care Worker visa salary threshold
- NHS Employers: MAC recommends occupations for the Temporary Shortage List
