The UK healthcare sector is one of the largest users of the Skilled Worker visa route. Care homes, private hospitals, GP practices and specialist clinics all rely on international recruitment to fill critical workforce gaps. The sponsor licence process for healthcare businesses has some sector-specific requirements that differ from other industries, this guide covers what you need to know.
Do You Need a Sponsor Licence?
Any healthcare provider that wants to employ workers from outside the UK and Ireland requires a sponsor licence. This applies whether you are a small independent care home, a multi-site private hospital group, a GP surgery, a dental practice or a specialist clinic. The NHS operates its own sponsorship arrangements for directly employed staff, this guide focuses on independent and private healthcare providers.
CQC Registration
Healthcare providers regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England must provide evidence of CQC registration as part of the sponsor licence application. This means your registration must be current and you must be registered for the activities that match the roles you intend to sponsor. Equivalent regulators apply in Scotland (Care Inspectorate), Wales (CIW) and Northern Ireland (RQIA). An application submitted without the required regulatory evidence will be refused or delayed.
Roles That Can Be Sponsored in Healthcare
The most common roles sponsored in healthcare include registered nurses (SOC 2231), senior care workers (SOC 6146), occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiographers, and various specialist medical and clinical roles. The role must appear on the eligible occupation list and meet the salary threshold for the specific occupation code. Care workers (SOC 6145) are also now eligible under the Skilled Worker route following changes made in 2022, though the rules around this have been tightened in 2024.
Salary Thresholds for Healthcare
Healthcare roles on NHS pay scales must be paid at the applicable Agenda for Change rate or medical and dental pay scale rate. Independent providers not using NHS pay scales must still meet the going rate for the relevant occupation code and the general threshold of £38,700. For registered nurses the going rate is set by the ONS data for SOC 2231. We check the correct threshold for every role before any CoS is assigned.
The Resident Labour Market Test Has Been Abolished
The Resident Labour Market Test, which previously required employers to advertise roles to UK workers before sponsoring overseas candidates, was abolished in December 2020. You no longer need to demonstrate that you were unable to fill the role from the domestic labour market. However, you must still show that the role is genuine and that the job description meets the requirements of the occupation code.
Compliance Considerations for Care Providers
Care homes and healthcare providers face additional compliance complexity because of the nature of the work. Workers on Skilled Worker visas who are subject to professional registration requirements, such as NMC registration for nurses, must maintain that registration throughout their employment. If a sponsored worker's professional registration lapses their visa may be at risk. Tracking professional registration renewal dates alongside visa expiry dates is an important part of compliance management for healthcare sponsors.
The Home Office and Healthcare Sponsors
The healthcare sector has been subject to increased UKVI scrutiny since 2023 following reports of workers being brought to the UK under false pretences and then charged illegal fees by sponsors. UKVI compliance visits to healthcare sponsors are more frequent than in many other sectors. Ensuring your sponsorship arrangements are fully compliant, correct CoS details, accurate salary payments, proper right to work records, is critical.
