A new Health and Care UK visa is to launch on 4 August 2020. Aimed at foreign medical workers; it offers a fast-tracked process for applicants who are currently applying for roles in 18 medical occupations which are in shortage in the UK.
The new visa is not ‘new’ per se but a category under the Tier 2 (General) visa and can be found as an addendum in the Tier 2 Policy guidance added on 14 July. The naming of the new route has also lead to initial confusion as it is only for “qualified doctors,
nurses and allied health professionals who have been trained to a recognised standard” and not for care workers.
Eligible professions are noted as:
2112 – Biological scientists and biochemists
2113 – Physical Scientists
2211 – Medical Practitioners
2212 – Psychologists
2213 – Pharmacists
2214 – Ophthalmic Opticians
2215 – Dental practitioners
2217 – Medical Radiographers
2218 – Podiatrists
2219 – Health Professionals not elsewhere classified
2221 – Physiotherapists
2222 – Occupational Therapists
2223 – Speech and Language Therapists
2229 – Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified
2231 – Nurses
2232 – Midwives
2442 – Social Workers
3213 – Paramedics
Individuals of all nationalities who have a confirmed job offer, in one of the defined health professions, for a skilled role within the NHS, the social care sector or for NHS commissioned service providers will be eligible to apply. They will also need to meet all the other usual Tier 2 (General) visa criteria.
Reduced application fees have been promised but not yet published. The UK government will also waive the immigration health surcharge (IHS) for applicants and any accompanying family members (spouses, partners, and dependent children). Decisions will be fast-tracked, “with the aim that the vast majority are processed within three weeks”.