Skilled Worker and Health and Care Visa: Step-by-Step Guide for Zimbabwean NHS and Care Sector Workers

The Health and Care Worker visa has become the dominant route through which Zimbabweans enter the UK workforce. In 2025, 841 Zimbabwean nationals were granted UK work visas under the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker routes, with roughly 75% — around 630 people — coming through the Health and Care Worker pathway. The top occupations were care workers and home carers (415 grants), social workers (75), senior care workers (41), generalist medical practitioners (24), and registered nursing professionals (21). Nearly 20,000 Zimbabweans received these visas between 2021 and 2024, reflecting the scale of this migration pathway over recent years. However, the landscape has shifted significantly. Grant numbers fell 68% in 2025 compared to 2024, driven by tightening UK immigration policy. The British government has signalled its intention to end the recruitment of overseas care workers altogether as part of broader immigration reforms. Anyone planning to use this route should monitor GOV.UK for current policy, as rules are actively changing. ## The Two Routes Explained **Health and Care Worker Visa** is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker route, specifically for NHS staff, NHS contractor staff, adult social care workers, and allied health roles. Key benefits over the standard Skilled Worker visa include reduced application fees, exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (worth over £1,000 per year per person), and typically faster processing — around three weeks from outside the UK. An initial grant covers up to five years and leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years of continuous residence. **Skilled Worker Visa** covers a broader range of professional occupations. Zimbabweans on this route in 2025 included vehicle technicians and mechanics (55 grants), welding trades (13), engineering technicians (12), electricians (11), and chartered accountants (10). The process is the same structurally but without the fee reductions and IHS exemption available under the Health and Care Worker route. ## Step 1: Secure a Job Offer from a Licensed Sponsor Before anything else, you must have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer that holds a Home Office sponsor licence. For the Health and Care Worker visa, this means an NHS body, an NHS contractor, or a care provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Standard job boards, NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk), and care sector recruitment agencies are the main channels. Be cautious of agents charging upfront fees to "secure" sponsorship — legitimate employers do not charge workers for their Certificate of Sponsorship. ## Step 2: Confirm Your Occupation Is Eligible Not every health or care role qualifies for the Health and Care Worker route. Your occupation must appear on the Home Office's eligible occupation list for this visa. Roles that were added after 2022 to address NHS vacancies have since been reviewed. If your occupation is not on the list, you may still qualify under the standard Skilled Worker route if the role meets salary and skill thresholds. Check GOV.UK for the current eligible occupation list before applying. ## Step 3: Receive Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Once you have accepted a job offer, your employer must assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship through the Home Office's Sponsorship Management System (SMS). The CoS is an electronic record — not a physical document — with a unique reference number that you will enter in your visa application. For applicants outside the UK (which applies to most Zimbabweans applying from home), the employer must request a Defined CoS from UKVI before assigning it to you. The CoS contains your job title, salary, SOC occupation code, start date, and your employer's sponsor licence number. Once assigned, you have three months to submit your visa application. ## Step 4: Check Salary Requirements Salary thresholds apply to both routes. For the Skilled Worker route, the general minimum threshold from April 2024 is £38,700 per year, though lower rates apply for specific shortage occupations and Health and Care Worker roles, where the threshold is the higher of £23,200 or the going rate for the occupation code. These figures change periodically, so always confirm the current threshold on GOV.UK before applying. ## Step 5: Meet the English Language Requirement You must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR Level B1 or above. Accepted evidence includes a degree taught in English, a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT, or nationality exemption. Zimbabweans educated in English-medium schools may be able to provide academic transcripts, though requirements vary — check current guidance carefully. ## Step 6: Gather Supporting Documents Along with your CoS number, you will need: - A valid passport - Proof of English language proficiency - Your job title, salary details, and SOC occupation code - Your employer's name, contact details, and sponsor licence number - Professional registration certificates where relevant (for example, NMC registration for nurses) - A criminal record certificate from Zimbabwe and any other country where you have lived for 12 or more months in the past 10 years - Proof of funds: at least £1,270 held in your bank account for 28 out of the 30 days before your application (unless your employer certifies on the CoS that they will cover your first month's costs) ## Step 7: Apply Online and Pay Fees Applications are submitted online via GOV.UK. Health and Care Worker visa applicants pay a reduced application fee compared to standard Skilled Worker applicants and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge — a significant saving for those bringing dependants. After submitting the online form, you will be required to attend a visa application centre in Zimbabwe to provide biometrics. ## Dependants: A Critical Change from March 2024 From March 2024, care workers and senior care workers on the Health and Care Worker visa can no longer bring dependants (partners and children) to the UK. This restriction does not apply to nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and other eligible health roles. If bringing your family is important to your plans, the occupation you are sponsored under matters enormously. Transitional exceptions exist for those already in the UK before the rule change. ## Pathway to Settlement After five years of continuous residence on a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa, you become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This requires passing the Life in the UK test, continuing to meet the salary threshold, and maintaining a clean immigration record. ILR leads directly to eligibility for British citizenship after a further 12 months. ## Important Cautions The care worker route has attracted exploitation, with some overseas workers paying large sums to agents only to find job offers withdrawn or sponsors unlicensed. Before spending money on TB tests, police certificates, or English tests, verify the employer's sponsor licence status on the official Home Office register at gov.uk/check-sponsor-licence. Policy in this area is moving fast — what applied in 2023 may not apply today.