UK HEALTH AND CARE WORKER VISA FOR SWISS RESIDENTS

The UK Health and Care Worker Visa is available to qualified Swiss (and non-Swiss) doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and individuals working in the adult social care sector within Switzerland. This visa allows such healthcare professionals in Switzerland to undertake eligible health or social care jobs in the UK and is part of the broader Skilled Worker Visa category. The visa can lead to UK settlement after five years.

Most applicants from Switzerland can be joined by their dependent partner and children. However, dependents of care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6145 and 6146) are no longer permitted to come to or stay in the UK.

Requirements for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa from Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa in Switzerland, you must meet the following criteria set by UK Visas and Immigration:

• Age: Be aged 18 or over.

• Qualification: Be a qualified doctor, nurse, allied health professional, or adult social care worker.

• Job Eligibility: Work in an eligible job within specified Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.

• Employer Approval: Be employed by a UK health or care sector employer approved by the Home Office.

• Certificate of Sponsorship: Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you plan to do.

• CQC Regulation (if applicable): If working under SOC codes “6145 – Care workers and home carers” or “6146 – Senior Care Workers,” be employed by a CQC-regulated employer.

• Salary Requirement: Earn a salary meeting both a general threshold and the 'going rate' for the SOC code.

• Language Proficiency: Demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B1 (IELTS 4.0 equivalent).

• Immigration Skills Charge: Ensure your sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge.

• Financial Sufficiency: Have sufficient funds to support yourself without public funds.

• Criminal Record Certificate: Provide a criminal record certificate if working with vulnerable people.

Exact requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Consulting an immigration lawyer specialising in UK immigration law is advisable for expert advice.

Eligible Jobs for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa from Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Health and Care Work Visa as a Swiss passport holder, or holder of another nationality, your job must fall within these specified SOC codes:

• Healthcare Managers and Directors: 1171, 1231, 1232

• Scientists and Technicians:2113, 2114, 3111

• Medical Practitioners: 2211, 2212

• Therapists and Psychologists: 2221-2226, 2229

• Nurses: 2231-2237

• Pharmacists and Optometrists: 2251, 2252

• Other Health Professionals: 2253-2256, 2259

• Social Workers: 2461

• Technicians and Assistants:3211-3213, 3219, 6131-6133

• Care Workers: 6135, 6136

This list is exhaustive. Some roles may qualify under the general Skilled Worker category.

Approved UK Health and Care Sector Employers

Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) applying for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa must be employed by a UK health and care sector employer approved by the Home Office. Approved organisations include:

• NHS Foundation Trusts and NHS Trusts.

• Organisations providing regulated activities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

• Entities regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000 or the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016.

• Providers registered with Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland or engaged in NHS-related services.

• General Practitioner Federations and entities contracted by the Northern Ireland Regional Health and Social Care Board for Family Practitioner Services.

• Regulatory bodies such as the General Chiropractic Council, General Medical Council, etc.

If unsure about your employer’s approval status, our UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland can assist.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement for Swiss Residents

Residents of Switzerland applying for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by an authorised employer for the job they plan to do. The CoS must be issued not more than three months before the visa application and include:

• The applicant's name, job, and salary details.

• A start date within three months of the visa application date.

• Confirmation that the CoS has not been used in a previous application and has not been withdrawn or canceled.

Care Worker and Senior Care Worker Sponsorship

Care homes in England must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to sponsor migrants as care workers and home carers (6135) or senior care workers (6136). This does not apply to applicants working solely in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Care workers and senior care workers holding visas granted before 11 March 2024 can extend their permission and settle without the CQC regulation requirement.

UK Health and Care Worker Visa Salary Requirement for Swiss Residents

Swiss national (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland must be paid a salary that meets both a general threshold and the 'going rate' for the SOC code:

• National Pay Scale Jobs: At least £23,200 per year or the ‘going rate’, whichever is higher.

• ASHE Jobs: Generally, at least £29,000 per year, but this may vary with tradable points for other attributes.

UK Health and Care Worker Visa English Language Requirement for Residents of Switzerland

Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR Level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This requirement can be met by:

• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country.

• Passing a Secure English Language Test.

• Holding a degree-level qualification taught in English.

• Having a UK GCSE, A Level, or equivalent qualification.

• Meeting the requirement in a previous successful application.

Immigration Skills Charge

Your employer must pay the Immigration Skills Charge for each foreign worker they employ. This charge is non-transferable to the applicant.

Financial Maintenance Requirement

UK Health and Care Worker Visa applicants applying from Switzerland must have at least £1,270 available to support themselves, held for at least 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the visa application date. This requirement is waived if:

• The applicant has been in the UK for 12 months or more.

• The employer certifies maintenance on the applicant's CoS.

Criminal Record Certificate Requirement

If applying from Switzerland, Swiss (and non-Swiss) applicants must provide a criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years, unless applying for specific occupation codes.

Benefits of the UK Health and Care Worker Visa for Health Care Workers in Switzerland

• Visa Fee Reduction: Reduced application fee for applicants and dependents.

• Fast-Track Entry: Applications prioritised with a target processing time of three weeks.

• IHS Exemption: Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Switching into the Health and Care Worker Visa Route in the UK

If you are a Swiss citizen (or non-Swiss citizen) residing in the UK with permission, you can switch into the Health and Care Worker route from another immigration category unless you are a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or have leave to remain outside the Immigration Rules.

UK Health and Care Worker Visa Duration and Conditions of Stay

Health and Care Worker Visas are granted for up to five years, ending 14 days after the CoS end date. Extensions are possible if the applicant continues to meet salary and employment conditions.

Settlement as a Health and Care Worker

After five years, Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) may apply for settlement in the UK if they meet continuous residence, salary, and employment requirements, and have passed the Life in the UK test.

Application Fees in Switzerland

Fees effective from 10 April 2024:

• £284 for stays up to 3 years.

• £551 for stays over 3 years.

Dependants of Health and Care Workers

Dependants may accompany you, except for care workers and senior care workers (occupation codes 6145 and 6146) under certain conditions.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our team of specialist UK immigration lawyers assists employers and skilled workers across various industries. We can help you plan to meet your start date in the UK and align your career progression with your UK immigration goals.

Our immigration team also assists UK employers (including Swiss companies with a branch in the UK) in obtaining Skilled Worker sponsor licences, maintaining the highest rating, and complying with sponsor duties.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive, providing clear and reliable immigration advice to residents of Switzerland as part of a professional and friendly service.

For professional assistance and expert advice on a UK Health and Care Worker Visa application from Switzerland, contact our British visa specialists in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.