OUR CANDIDATES

ALL OUR OF CANDIDATES ARE CERTIFIED AND FULLY-VETTED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS NURSES, MIDWIVES, ALLIED HEALTH SPECIALISTS AND CARERS

CARERS INCLUDING

Carer
Care assistant
Senior Care assistant
Nursing Home assistant
Live-In carer
Support worker

NURSES AND MIDWIVES INCLUDING

District nurse

General practice nurse
Health visitor
Neonatal nurse
ICU nurse
Theatre nurse

ALLIED HEALTH SPECIALISTS INCLUDING

Art therapists
Dietitians
Drama therapists
Music therapists
Occupational therapists
Operating department practitioners
Orthoptists
Osteopaths
Occupational therapists

WHAT DO OUR CANDIDATES NEED?

TAKING YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND MOVING TO THE UK IS A CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING OPPORTUNITY. REST ASSURED, WE'LL BE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

UK Visa Requirements

The Health and Care Worker visa was introduced to provide a faster, more affordable route for qualified health professionals to work within the UK’s health and care sector. At Med Staff International, we ensure your application aligns with the latest 2026 Home Office requirements. Key benefits include:

Priority Processing: Applicants typically receive a decision within three weeks following their biometric enrolment, significantly faster than standard work visas.
Reduced Application Fees: This route offers substantially lower fees compared to the standard Skilled Worker visa. As of 2026, fees are £304 (for up to 3 years) or £590 (for over 3 years). These reduced rates also apply to eligible partners and children.
Full IHS Exemption: Unlike most UK migrants who pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (currently £1,035 per year for adults), Health and Care Worker visa holders and their families are exempt. This represents a saving of over £5,000 for a 5-year visa.
Dedicated Support: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) maintains a dedicated team to resolve issues for NHS and social care applicants. Our team coordinates directly with this service to prevent delays.
Family Rights: Most medical professionals (including Doctors, Nurses, and AHPs) can bring partners and children as dependents. Note: Under rules updated in 2024, those specifically sponsored as Care Workers or Senior Care Workers (SOC 6135/6136) are generally not permitted to bring dependents unless they meet specific transitional criteria.

Your Partner in the UK

Working as a medical professional in the UK is a rewarding career move. Med Staff International provides end-to-end support—from ethical recruitment following the WHO Code of Practice to post-arrival induction—ensuring the best possible outcomes for you, your family, and the patients you serve.

Why Work For The NHS?

Med Staff International partners with leading healthcare providers to place qualified professionals in high-impact roles. Our clients are currently seeking:

Nurses & Midwives (all specialties, from General to Critical Care)
Allied Health Professionals (Radiographers, OT, Physiotherapists, etc.)
Specialist Medical Practitioners
Senior Care Professionals

Our Ethical Commitment

We are proud to be ethical recruitment consultants. We strictly adhere to the WHO Global Code of Practice and never charge candidates a fee to find or secure a position in the UK.

The NHS Benefits Package

Working for the National Health Service (NHS) offers more than just a competitive salary; it provides one of the most comprehensive benefit packages in the UK:

Generous Annual Leave: Starting at 27 days plus 8 bank holidays, rising to 33 days based on service.

Financial Enhancements: Regular pay uplifts for nights, weekends, and on-call duties.

Career Growth: Dedicated funding and time for on-going professional development and specializations.

Family Support: Industry-leading maternity, paternity, and parental leave policies.

Health & Wellbeing: Ample paid sick leave and access to mental health support services.

Secure Future: Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best in the world.

Exclusive Discounts: Access to the Blue Light Card for significant savings at thousands of UK retailers.

Salary Expectations (2026/27)

Salaries in the UK are standardised and transparent, ensuring fair pay across all regions.

NHS Salaries: Typically range from £25,272 (Support staff) to £129,783 (Senior Consultants), plus generous overtime and shift enhancements.

Note: Most international Registered Nurses start at Band 5, with a starting salary of approximately £32,073.

Care Sector Salaries: Salaries in the private care sector range from £26,500 to £48,000 per annum, depending on seniority and specialised skills.

Visas & Relocation

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

To work in the UK, you require a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is a digital record issued by your employer once they have offered you a position.

Sponsorship Costs: Your employer is responsible for the cost of assigning the CoS.
Validity: Once your CoS is issued, it is valid for 3 months (90 days). You must submit your online visa application within this timeframe.
Timing Your Move: You can apply for your visa up to 3 months before your job's start date. Once your visa is granted, your digital status (eVisa) will specify your "Valid From" date, providing you the flexibility to travel to the UK before your official start.

The Visa Application Process

Once you have your CoS reference number, we will help you begin your online application for the Health and Care Worker Visa.

Proving Your Identity: For most applicants in 2026, this is done via the "UK Immigration: ID Check" smartphone app. This allows you to scan your passport chip and provide a digital photo without visiting a centre.
Biometric Appointments: If you are unable to use the app, you will be invited to a face-to-face appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Keeping Your Passport: Under the new Digital Visa rollout (February 2026), most applicants now keep their passport during the process. Physical "vignette" stickers are being phased out in favour of eVisas.
Decision Timeline: As a Health and Care priority route, you can typically expect a decision within 3 weeks of verifying your identity.

Your Digital eVisa

Upon approval, you will not receive a physical permit (BRP). Instead, your immigration status will be linked digitally to your passport. You will create a UKVI account to view and share your status with us and your new employer.

Visa Costs, Processing Times & Eligibility

Costs and Financial Requirements

We believe in full transparency. Here is a breakdown of the standard costs and savings requirements for your 2026 application.

1. Visa Application Fees

The Health and Care Worker visa is significantly cheaper than a standard work visa. The cost depends on the length of your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):

Up to 3 years: £304 per person.
More than 3 years: £590 per person.
Dependants: Your partner and children pay the same reduced fee as you (e.g., £304 or £590 each).

2. Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

One of the biggest benefits of this visa route is the IHS Exemption. While other UK migrants pay over £1,000 per year for healthcare access, you and your dependants pay £0.

3. Personal Savings (Maintenance)

To qualify, the Home Office requires proof that you can support yourself upon arrival. You must show you have held these minimum balances in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before you apply:

Main Applicant: £1,270
Partner: £285
First Child: £315
Each Additional Child: £200

Note: Many of our NHS and private healthcare clients will "certify maintenance" on your Certificate of Sponsorship. If they do this, you do not need to show bank statements or personal savings. Our consultants will confirm if your employer is providing this.

4. Timeline & Entry

Decision Time: You will typically receive your decision within 3 weeks of your biometric verification.
Entry to the UK: As of 2026, the UK has transitioned to eVisas. You will no longer receive a physical "30-day permit" or a "Biometric Residence Permit" (BRP). Instead, your status is digital and linked to your passport, allowing you to travel to the UK as soon as your visa is granted.

Eligibility: The Points-Based System

The "Tier 2" visa has been replaced. You now apply under the Health and Care Worker route, which requires a total of 70 points. These are awarded as follows:

UKVI IELTS/OET - English Language Proficiency

To work in the UK healthcare sector, you must demonstrate a high standard of English. This is a two-step process: meeting the requirements for your professional registration (NMC, GMC, or HCPC) and meeting the requirements for your UK visa.

1. Professional Registration Requirements

Before you can be sponsored for a visa, you must be registered with your respective UK regulatory body. Their standards are higher than the visa minimums to ensure patient safety.

2. UK Visa Requirements

As of January 8, 2026, the Home Office has increased the English requirement for new Health and Care Worker visa applications to CEFR Level B2.

The Score: You must achieve at least a 5.5 in each of the four components of the IELTS for UKVI (General or Academic).
Already registered? If you have already met the higher standards required by the NMC or GMC (e.g., a score of 7.0+), you automatically satisfy the visa requirement.
Validity: Your test results must be no more than 2 years old at the time of your visa application.

3. Exemptions

You may not need to take a test if:

You are a national of a majority English-speaking country (e.g., USA, Australia, Jamaica).
You have a degree-level qualification that was taught and researched in English (verified by UK ENIC).

NMC Registration

A Step-by-Step Guide

To practice as a nurse or midwife in the UK, you must be on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register. At Med Staff International, we guide you through each of the following stages:

Stage 1: English Language Proficiency
Before starting your application, you must meet the NMC’s English standards via the IELTS Academic or OET exams.

Tip: If you miss the required score by a narrow margin (0.5 in IELTS or half a grade in OET), we can advise you on how to use Supporting Information from Employers (SIFE)—a 2023/2024 update that helps eligible candidates qualify.

Stage 2: Eligibility & Qualification Evaluation
You will create an account on NMC Online and upload your primary nursing qualification. The NMC will verify this with your home country’s regulator.

Stage 3: Test of Competence – Part 1 (CBT)
The Computer-Based Test (CBT) is a theoretical exam consisting of numeracy and clinical questions.

Location: This is taken in your home country at a Pearson VUE test centre.

Support: We provide practice materials to ensure you pass this stage before you begin your visa application.

Stage 4: Visa Application & Relocation
Once you have passed the CBT and completed your "Health and Character" declarations, you are eligible for sponsorship. We will match you with an employer, and you will travel to the UK on your Health and Care Worker Visa.

Stage 5: Test of Competence – Part 2 (OSCE)
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a practical exam that tests your clinical skills in a simulated ward environment.

Location: This must be taken in the UK at an approved university test centre (e.g., Oxford Brookes, Northampton, or Ulster).

On-boarding: Your employer will typically provide 4–6 weeks of intensive OSCE training after you arrive to ensure you are fully prepared.

Stage 6: Admission to the Register
After passing your OSCE, the NMC will complete a final assessment. Once you pay your registration fee, you will receive your NMC PIN, allowing you to practice legally as a Registered Nurse in the UK.

4 SIMPLE STEPS

At Med Staff International, we’ve streamlined the transition to the UK into four clear phases. We provide expert guidance at every stage to ensure your success.

Preparation & Qualification

Before applying for a role, you must prove your eligibility to practice in the UK.

English Proficiency: Achieve the required scores in IELTS Academic or OET.
NMC/GMC Eligibility: Complete your initial "Self-Assessment" on the regulator’s portal and pass your Part 1 Test of Competence (CBT) in your home country.
Initial Review: We review your clinical experience and documentation to match you with the ideal NHS Trust or private healthcare provider.

Interview & Job Offer

Once you are "exam-ready," we present your profile to our network of premier UK healthcare employers.

Virtual Interviews: We coordinate and coach you for your interviews (usually held via MS Teams).
Offer Letter: Upon success, you’ll receive a formal job offer detailing your salary, location, and a comprehensive relocation package.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your new employer will issue your digital CoS—the "golden ticket" required for your visa application.

Visa & Travel

With your job offer secured, we move into the immigration phase.

Fast-Track Visa: We assist you with your Health and Care Worker Visa application. Most decisions are received within 3 weeks.
The eVisa System: As of 2026, you'll use the UKVI ID Check app to verify your identity; your visa is digital, so you keep your passport and don't need a physical BRP card.
Flight & Arrival: We coordinate your flight to the UK and ensure you are met at the airport by our pastoral support team.

OSCE Training & UK Registration

The final step takes place after you arrive in the UK and begins your paid induction.

OSCE Training: Your employer provides 4–6 weeks of intensive training to prepare you for your Part 2 Practical Exam (OSCE).
NMC/GMC PIN: Once you pass, you will be granted your UK registration (PIN).
Full Practice: You officially move from a "Pre-Registration" role to a fully qualified Registered Professional, with an immediate salary increase to match your status.