UK Health and Care Visa Changes: Rules for Allied Health Staff

Recent updates to immigration policy have introduced revised salary thresholds, increased application fees, and tighter rules on employer repayment clauses for internationally educated healthcare professionals moving to the UK. Entry-level Band 3 salaries increase to £25,760 under the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay award, meeting the minimum eligibility threshold for the Health and Care Visa, while laboratory technicians are currently the only Health and Care Visa role on the interim Temporary Shortage List. These changes directly affect how your Certificate of Sponsorship salary is calculated, whether you can bring dependants, and which occupation codes remain open to overseas recruitment.

Salary Thresholds and Banding Updates

Salary requirements for the Health and Care Visa and Skilled Worker routes were updated on 22 July 2025. Following the 2026/27 Agenda for Change pay award, entry-level Band 3 positions reach £25,760, ensuring these roles satisfy the minimum salary threshold required for Health and Care Visa sponsorship.

Transitional protections remain in place for individuals who held a Skilled Worker Visa prior to 4 April 2024. If you fell into this category before that date, you are exempt from the higher general salary threshold when:

• Changing your employer or sponsor
• Changing your occupation code
• Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement)

However, exempt individuals must still satisfy the applicable lower threshold and the standard going rate for their specific occupation.

Employer Repayment Clauses and Salary Calculations

A critical update for international applicants concerns employer repayment clauses. Employers frequently include clauses in contracts to recover upfront immigration or relocation costs, such as visa fees.

Under official guidance, any contract clause that guarantees the recovery of immigration or business costs must be deducted from the salary stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). If this deduction reduces your net salary below the required minimum threshold, your visa application cannot be approved. Applicants must review contractual repayment terms carefully before applying.

Visa Fees and Shortage Lists

Application costs and role classifications have also been adjusted across the immigration system:

• Visa Fee Increase: UK visa fees have increased by 6.5 per cent for most applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026.
• Temporary Shortage List (TSL): The UK maintains an interim TSL for sponsored roles. Laboratory technicians (SOC code 3111) are currently the only Health and Care Visa role included on the TSL.

Care Worker and Senior Care Worker Restrictions

Overseas recruitment rules for specific support roles have seen substantial adjustments:

• Closure to Overseas Applicants: New visa applications from outside the UK for care workers (SOC 6135) and senior care workers (SOC 6136) officially closed on 22 July 2025.
• In-Country Transition Period: A transition period is active until 22 July 2028. This allows individuals already in the UK on eligible routes to extend their visa or switch employers within these occupation codes. Anyone switching into these roles from inside the UK must have been legally employed by their sponsoring employer for at least three months prior to submitting the application.
• Dependant Rules:
  • Care workers and senior care workers who entered the route before 11 March 2024 can remain with their dependants, extend their stay, change employers within their SOC code, and apply for settlement.
  • Individuals who switched into a care worker or senior care worker role from inside the UK after 11 March 2024 are not permitted to bring or stay with dependants.

Summary of Key Rules and Effective Dates

Rule / Subject Area	Change or Status	Key Condition / Requirement
Band 3 Salary Threshold	Increased to £25,760	Meets Health and Care Visa baseline salary requirement.
UK Visa Application Fees	6.5 per cent fee increase	Applies to most applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026.
Repayment Clauses	Subtracted from CoS salary	Deductions must not drop salary below the eligibility threshold.
Pre-April 2024 Visa Holders	Exempt from higher general threshold	Must still meet the applicable lower threshold and role going rate.
Temporary Shortage List	Laboratory technicians (SOC 3111)	Currently the only Health and Care Visa role on the TSL.
Care Workers (SOC 6135/6136)	Overseas recruitment closed	Transition until 22 July 2028 for in-UK extensions/switches (requires 3 months prior employment).

What This Means for You

Navigating these regulatory updates requires careful planning before signing employment contracts or submitting visa forms. Take these practical steps to prepare your relocation:

1. Verify Your SOC Code and Salary Baseline: Confirm whether your qualified allied health role or support role meets the threshold for your band. Ensure your salary meets or exceeds £25,760 if entering at Band 3.
2. Examine Contract Repayment Terms: Check job offers for repayment clauses covering visa or relocation expenses. Guarantee that any mandatory cost deductions will not reduce the salary on your Certificate of Sponsorship below eligibility limits.
3. Factor In Updated Application Costs: Adjust your relocation budget to account for the 6.5 per cent increase in UK visa application fees for submissions made on or after 8 April 2026.
4. Check Dependant Eligibility: If applying for care or support roles from within the UK, confirm your initial entry date to determine whether your family members can accompany you.

Understanding immigration policies ensures a smooth transition to your new professional role abroad. WE Intelligence tracks exact registration and visa steps for free, with WESolutions available for hands-on paid support to assist you at every stage of your international journey.