If you currently hold a UK Health and Care Worker visa that is expiring soon, you can apply for an extension (renewal), allowing you to continue your employment in the UK. In most cases, you can renew a Health and Care Worker visa for up to 5 years, and there is no limit to the number of extensions you can apply for.
When applying for your extension, you will be exempt from paying the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS). If you hold one of the older Tier 2 Health and Care visas, you will still be able to extend your visa to remain in the UK, but different salary rules may apply depending on when you applied.
It is also important to bear in mind that if you have changed jobs or employers, rather than applying for a Healthcare visa extension, you will need to apply to update your visa instead. Under the new immigration rule, you need to meet a different salary threshold based the job you are applying for. For more information, please view our article: Changing Jobs or Employers on a Skilled Worker Visa
UK Health and Care Worker visa extension requirement
To extend your UK Health and Care Worker visa, you will usually need to continue meeting the same requirements that applied when your visa was first granted. This means you must:
- Still have the same job you held when you were granted your Health and Care Worker visa (your current job must have the same occupation code)
- Still working for the same employer that issued your current certificate of sponsorship
- Have a new Certificate of Sponsorship covering your new length of employment
- Still meet the salary requirements (these may differ depending on job you have).
Salary requirements for Health and Care Worker visa extension 2025
From 22 July 2025, new rules apply to the Health and Care Worker visa. For example, Care Worker and Senior Care Worker roles are now closed to new overseas applicants. However, those who already hold such visas can continue to extend their stay or switch employers.
Under the new rule, if you want to extend your Heath and Care Worker visa after 22 July 2025, you need to meet the new salary requirement depends on your occupation and circumstances:
- General threshold (Option A): at least £41,700 or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- Relevant PhD (Option B): at least £37,500 or 90% of your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- PhD in a STEM subject (Option C): at least £33,400 or 80% of your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- Role on Immigration Salary List (Option D):
- at least £33,400 for degree-level (RQF 6+) occupations or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
- at least £23,200 for sub-degree (RQF 3–5) occupations or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher
If your current job is below RQF level 6, you received sponsorship before 4 April 2024 and have remained continuously sponsored, you can meet the new transactional salary requirements: Option J (includes specific health, care, or education roles): at least £25,000 per year or your job’s going rate, whichever is higher.
For more information about the new salary requirements for Skilled Worker Visa, please check our article: UK Skilled Worker Visa New Requirements and Rules Explained 2025
If you have any questions about your Health and Care Worker visa extension or need advice on the applicable salary requirement, please contact our immigration lawyers by calling us at 02037442797 or completing our enquiry form.
How to apply for a UK Healthcare Worker visa extension
To renew your UK Health and Care Worker visa, you will need to complete the following steps:
- Get a new Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer covering your new length of employment.
- Prepare and submit the online application form – this must be done before your current visa expires. Your dependants (partner and children) must apply separately to extend their dependant visa. This can be done when you apply or any time before their current visa expires.
- Pay the application fee.
- Book and attend a biometric appointment at your nearest UKVCAS service point.
- Upload any documents requested by the Home Office (including your new Certificate of Sponsorship).
In most cases, you can expect to receive a decision on your UK Healthcare visa extension from UKVI within 3 weeks once you have proven your identity and provided your documents. Even if your current visa expires, you can continue working while waiting for visa decision in the UK during this time.
How can Reiss Edwards help?
Reiss Edwards is a leading immigration solicitor based in London. We are experienced in handling UK visa applications and renewals, including visa extensions for health and care workers. We can:
- Review your eligibility for a UK Health and Care Worker visa extension and explain the new requirements you need to meet based on the new immigration rules
- Handle your UK Health and Care Worker visa extension application on your behalf
- Ensure that your immigration status and that of your family are secure
- Assist with a refusal of your UK Health and Care Worker visa renewal application
Reference:
GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa
GOV.UK: Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors
