Zimbabwe Skilled Worker Visa and Health and Care Visa: How Zimbabwean Nurses and Carers Get to the UK

Zimbabwe has long been one of the most significant source countries for healthcare workers entering the United Kingdom. Thousands of Zimbabwean nurses, carers, midwives, and allied health professionals have made the journey to work in the NHS and in the UK's private social care sector. The two main visa routes used are the Skilled Worker Visa and, for eligible healthcare and care roles, the Health and Care Worker Visa — a sub-category that offers reduced fees and faster processing. **The Health and Care Worker Visa** The Health and Care Worker Visa was introduced in August 2020 specifically to attract overseas medical professionals to the UK. For Zimbabweans working in nursing, midwifery, care work, and allied health roles, this is typically the most cost-effective route. Key advantages include reduced visa application fees (roughly half that of the standard Skilled Worker Visa), exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — saving thousands of pounds — and priority processing. To qualify, applicants must: - Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid Home Office sponsor licence - Be taking up an eligible role, which includes registered nurses (SOC code 2231), nursing auxiliaries and care assistants (6141), midwives, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and several other clinical roles - Meet the minimum salary threshold — for most care roles outside the NHS, the general threshold has applied, though the government has periodically adjusted this. From April 2024, the general Skilled Worker minimum salary rose to £38,700, but most health and care roles are on the Shortage Occupation List or have specific going rates that differ from the general threshold. Care workers and home carers are listed under occupation code 6145 and have had bespoke salary requirements set by the government - Meet the English language requirement (B1 level on the CEFR scale), typically evidenced through a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS Life Skills or OET for nurses - Have sufficient personal savings to support themselves upon arrival if not covered by the employer **Nursing Registration: The NMC Route** For Zimbabwean registered nurses and midwives, UK registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is compulsory before or shortly after arrival. Most Zimbabwean nurses trained at institutions such as the University of Zimbabwe, Harare School of Nursing, or Mpilo Central Hospital School of Nursing. The NMC assesses international qualifications through its Overseas Nursing Programme (ONP) or, more commonly now, through the Computer-Based Test (CBT) followed by an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) upon arrival in the UK. The typical pathway is: 1. Apply to the NMC and submit qualifications and registration documents from the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) 2. Pass the NMC's Computer-Based Test (CBT), which can be sat in Zimbabwe through Pearson VUE test centres 3. Secure a job offer from a sponsoring employer who will support the OSCE preparation 4. Apply for the Health and Care Worker Visa 5. Travel to the UK and complete the OSCE within a defined period to achieve full NMC registration Many NHS Trusts and private healthcare agencies actively recruit from Zimbabwe and provide OSCE preparation support, supervised practice hours, and accommodation assistance during the adaptation period. **The Care Sector Route** The expansion of the Health and Care Worker Visa to include senior care workers in 2022 opened a significant new channel for Zimbabweans without nursing qualifications. Care homes, domiciliary care providers, and supported living services across the UK have recruited heavily from Zimbabwe. Employers must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England to sponsor care workers on this route. However, the UK government has tightened rules in this sector following exploitation concerns. From March 2024, overseas care workers must live with their sponsor rather than seek accommodation independently in some regulated scenarios, and sponsors face enhanced scrutiny. The government also restricted care providers from recruiting overseas workers if they had not first attempted to recruit domestically, alongside tougher licensing checks. **Costs to Expect** Even with the Health and Care Worker Visa fee reductions, the costs are substantial. The visa application fee for a Health and Care Worker Visa for more than three years is £704 as of 2024 (compared to £1,420 for a standard Skilled Worker Visa of the same duration). The IHS exemption saves over £1,000 per year per person. Dependants of Health and Care Workers do not qualify for the IHS exemption and must pay the full surcharge — currently £1,035 per year per dependant. Additional costs include the NMC application fee (£140), the CBT examination fee (around £83), the OSCE fee (approximately £794), English language tests, and travel costs. **Practical Advice** Jobseekers should use legitimate recruitment agencies registered with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and avoid paying upfront fees to agents — ethical employers cover or reimburse recruitment costs. The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Medical Association can assist with document verification. Zimbabweans already in the UK on other visa categories can often switch to a Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker Visa in-country without leaving, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.