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Visa routes

Health and Care Worker visa and ILR

Many NHS staff keep a 5-year route to settlement. Here is who qualifies and what applies to other health roles.

Last reviewed 4 November 2026Based on the Government response CP 1707

The public service pathway

Under Earned Settlement, people working in qualifying public sector health and education occupations, paid on national pay scales, can be on the 5-year pathway after 5 years in the role.

Qualifying health occupations include doctors, registered nurses, midwives, pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, psychologists, dental practitioners and more. See the full list of qualifying occupations.

Support roles below degree level

People who came to the UK before 12 May 2025 to work in health support roles on national pay scales, such as nursing auxiliaries and assistants, keep 5 years under a one-off transitional arrangement. Those arriving later follow the standard pathways.

See which pathway applies to you, and your earliest estimated date.

Check my pathway

Care workers

Care workers have their own transitional arrangement. See care workers and ILR.

Private sector roles

The public service pathway is for public sector roles paid on national pay scales. Health professionals in private practice may still reach 5 years through the £50,271 earnings test, or follow the 10-year default.

ExampleGrace is a registered nurse who joined an NHS trust on a Health and Care Worker visa in April 2023. If she meets the other requirements, she is likely to be on the 5-year pathway, with an earliest date of April 2028.

Questions and answers

Does NHS bank or agency work count?

The response refers to qualifying roles paid on national pay scales. How bank and agency work is treated is expected in guidance.

I moved from the NHS to a private hospital. What happens?

You may no longer meet the public service criteria. You might still qualify for 5 years through earnings of £50,271 or more.

This is not legal advice. This guide explains the Government’s published proposals for Earned Settlement, which are not yet in force and may change. For advice on your own situation, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or solicitor, or check GOV.UK. Read our full disclaimer.