Care Worker

Eligibility: ANM, GNM, BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing

English Language Proficiency Test: UKVI IELTS 5.5 and above/UK NARIC C1 and UKVI PTE

Visa type: Skilled Worker

Nurses are an essential part of the healthcare team. They work with patients who are ill or injured or who have problems due to age or disability. As well as providing care for patients and supporting their treatment and recovery, nurses give support and advice to patients' families and carers. They also promote good health.

To practice as a nurse in the UK you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

Registration Guidelines

• Nurses 
  
• Midwives
• Specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN).

• Adult nursing   
• Mental health nursing       
• Learning disabilities nursing
• Children’s nursing.

NMC Requirements

English Proficiency

International English Testing System (IELTS)

Combining IELTS Test Scores

• You sit the tests within six months of each other
• You’re tested in all four sections at the same time
• All scores in both sittings are above 6.5, and
• You achieve at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.

Combined IELTS Scores: Example 1 of an Accepted Result

This combination would be accepted. The applicant has scored at least 7 in the listening, speaking, and reading sections and at least 6.5 in the writing section in either of the two test sittings and no score is lower than 6.5.

Occupational English Test (OET)

• At least a grade C+ in the writing section 
• At least a grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections.

Combining OET Test Scores

• You sit the tests within six months of each other
• You’re tested in all four sections at the same time
• All grades in both sittings are above Grade C+, and
• You achieve at least a grade C+ in the writing section and at least a grade B in the reading, listening, and speaking sections in either of the two test sittings.

Combined OET scores: Example 2 of an Accepted Result

The applicant has scored at least a grade B in the listening, speaking, and reading sections and at least a grade C+ in the writing section in either of the two test sittings and no score is lower than grade C+.

Combined OET Scores: Example 1 of a Not Accepted Result

This application would not be accepted. The applicant has scored lower than grade C+.

Test of Competence

• Four stations will continue to be linked together around a scenario: the APIE (one station for assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation)
  
• Four stations will test skills - two pairs of two skills
• Two new stations will be introduced - one will assess the candidate's values and behaviours and the other will assess evidence-based practice.

OSCE Exam Centres in the UK

• Oxford Brookes University.
• The University of Northampton.
• Ulster University, Northern Ireland.
• Northumbria University
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
  

TOC Preparation Materials

• Webinar recordings
  
• Candidate information booklets
• Test blueprints
• CBT and OSCE materials

NMC Registration

Fee Structure of NMC Registration

Job Opportunities

• In private healthcare.
• With nursing agencies.
• With private nursing and residential homes.
• With charities and voluntary organisations.
• In the pharmaceutical industry.
• With the Prison Service.
• In the Armed Forces.
• In schools and universities.
• In the occupational health departments of large organisations
• On cruise ships.

Pay Scale

Your Long Term Prospects

• With experience and further training, there are good opportunities for promotion and specialization.
• Nurses may apply for leadership roles with wider responsibilities, such as sister, charge nurse, or nurse consultant, or move into nurse management or general NHS management.
• They can take further specialist training in order to work in areas such as diabetes, pain management, operating theatres or to become health visitors, district nurses, or occupational health nurses. 
• With additional training, they may move into teaching or research.

NMC - Click Here

OET - Click Here

IELTS - Click Here

Senior Care Workers

Eligibility: ANM, GNM, BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing

English Language Proficiency Test: UKVI IELTS 5.5 and above/UK NARIC C1 and UKVI PTE

Visa type: Skilled Worker

Even though Health and Social care service providers are regulated by CQC (Care Quality Commission), to work as a senior care worker no registration required but you must prove your efficiency to your sponsor. 

Suitable For Whom?

It is a good option for those candidates who have not succeeded in achieving the required score in IELTS to get registered with NMC.

Qualification

• Completion of Paramedical/BSc/GNM/ANM nursing qualification
  

English Language Proficiency Evidence

• You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
• Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) for confirmation that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD

Job Opportunities

NHS and privately owned hospitals, nursing homes, residential homes, health centres, and GP surgery

Job Summary

Healthcare Assistant to become a part of the facility’s compassionate care-giving team and to be a vital link between patients, the nurses and other facility staff.

Senior Care Worker Responsibilities

• Assist with daily living activities. This includes delivering meals to patients, turning and ambulating patients and providing plenty of fresh water, as well as extra nourishment between meals
• Help patients with personal hygiene. Provide patients with bedpans, help with baths, shampoos and showers
• Provide adjunct care for the patient, including ice packs, non-sterile dressings and therapeutic baths
• Check vital signs and record daily information in the patient’s chart
• Assist the nurses and other staff as needed
• Adhere to professional standards, follow policies and procedures and abide by government regulatory requirements, as well as Nursing standards
• Supervise or guide the healthcare support worker.

Pay Scale

£17,000 - £27,000 per annum

Where It Could Lead...

After working for a period in a nursing home, individuals can request a letter from their employer demonstrating their language skills, potentially allowing them to be exempted from taking the IELTS/OET exams. Furthermore, professionals dedicated to their roles and confident in their English proficiency might be eligible to transition into positions that meet NHS standards within just six months of their arrival. This emphasizes the rapid opportunities available to those ready to meet the necessary qualifications.

IELTS - Click Here

Eligibility

The Health and Care Visa will apply to the following list of Standard Occupational Classification codes:

• 1181: Health services and public health managers and directors
• 1242: Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors
• 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 that are ‘not elsewhere classified’, such as audiologists and occupational health advisers
• 2221: Physiotherapists
• 2222: Occupational therapists
• 2223: Speech and language therapists
• 2229: Therapy professionals that are ‘not elsewhere classified’, such as osteopaths and psychotherapists
• 2231: Nurses
• 2232: Midwives
• 2442: Social workers
• 3111: Laboratory technicians
• 3213: Paramedics
• 3216: Dispensing opticians
• 3217: Pharmaceutical technicians
• 3218: Medical and dental technicians
• 3219: Health associate professionals not elsewhere classified
• 6141: Nursing auxiliaries and assistants
• 6143: Dental nurses
• 6146: Senior care workers

Visa Benefits

• You and your dependents will also be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge. (The Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee paid by international workers in the UK in order to access NHS services).
  
• Your husband, wife or married partner and children under 18 years old can join with you on a dependent visa.
• Your spouse has all rights to live and work in the UK.
• After five years of residence in the UK on this visa, the applicant is entitled to apply for the ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain), along with his/her dependent family members.
• UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will prioritise Health and Care Visa applications, with the aim that the vast majority are processed within three weeks from the point the applicant has provided their biometric information.

COS (Certificate Of Sponsorship)

The Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record, which has its own number assigned by a licensed sponsor in order for an individual to make a valid application for an entry permit (also known as a visa) under the Skilled Worker and other sponsored work route.

Documents Required For Visa Application

Applicants for the Health and Care Visa will need to meet all relevant criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa (formerly known as Tier 2 (General) visa), which are:

1. Valid passport
2. Having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)
3. Evidence of an appropriate salary, which meets the relevant salary threshold
4. Being able to provide evidence of knowledge of the English language, with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
5. Having sufficient personal savings when arriving in the UK
6. Being able to demonstrate the ability to travel and travel history over the preceding five years
7. Valid tuberculosis test results (if applicable depending on a country of application)
8. Providing a criminal record certificate from any country where a migrant has lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years if working with vulnerable people

NHS Pay Scale

Band 2 - domestic support worker, housekeeping assistant, driver, nursery assistant, domestic team leader, security officer, secretary/typist and healthcare assistant.

< 1 year experience	£18,005
1-2 years	£18,005
2-3 years	£19,337
3-4 years	£19,337
4-5 years	£19,337
5-6 years	£19,337
6+ years	£19,337

Band 3-  emergency care assistant, clinical coding officer, estates officer and occupational therapy worker.

<1year experience	£19,737
1-2 years	£19,737
2-3 years	£21,142
3-4 years	£21,142
4-5 years	£21,142
5-6 years	£21,142
6+ years	£21,142

Band 4 - assistant practitioner, audiovisual technician, pharmacy technician, dental nurse and theatre support worker.

< 1 year experience	£21,892
1-2 years	£21,892
2-3 years	£24,157
3-4 years	£24,157
4-5 years	£24,157
5-6 years	£24,157
6+ years	£24,157

Band 5 (includes many newly qualified clinical professionals) - operating department practitioner (ODP), podiatrist, learning disability nurse, therapeutic radiographer, practice manager and ICT test analyst

<1 year experience	£24,907
1-2 years	£24,907
2-3 years	£26,970
3-4 years	£26,970
4-5 years	£27,416
5-6 years	£27,416
6-7 years	£30,615
7+ years	£30,615

Band 6 - school nurse, experienced paramedic, health records officer, clinical psychology trainee and biomedical scientist.

<1 year experience	£31,365
1-2 years	£31,365
2-3 years	£33,176
3-4 years	£33,176
4-5 years	£33,176
5-6 years	£33,779
6-7 years	£33,779
7-8 years	£37,890
8+ years	£37,890

Band 7 - communications manager, estates manager, high-intensity therapist and advanced speech and language therapist.

<1 year experience	£38,890
1-2 years	£38,890
2-3 years	£40,894
3-4 years	£40,894
4-5 years	£40,894
5-6 years	£41,723
6-7 years	£41,723
7-8 years	£44,503
8+ years	£44,503

Band 8a - consultant prosthetist/orthotist, dental laboratory manager, project and programme management, modern matron (nursing) and nurse consultant (mental health nursing).

< 1 year experience	£45,753
1-2 years	£45,753
2-3 years	£45,753
3-4 years	£45,753
4-5 years	£45,753
5+ years	£51,668

Band 8b - strategic management, head of education and training, clinical physiology service manager and head orthoptist.

< 1 year experience	£53,168
1-2 years	£53,168
2-3 years	£53,168
3-4 years	£53,168
4-5 years	£53,168
5+ years	£62,001

Band 8c - head of human resources, consultant clinical scientist (molecular genetics/cytogenetics) and consultant paramedic.                      

<1 year experience	£63,751
1-2 years	£63,751
2-3 years	£63,751
3-4 years	£63,751
4-5 years	£63,751
5+ years	£73,664

Band 8d include consultant psychologist (8c-8d), estates manager, chief nurse and chief finance manager.

<1 year experience	£75,914
1-2 years	£75,914
2-3 years	£75,914
3-4 years	£75,914
4-5 years	£75,914
5+ years	£87,754

Band 9 includes podiatric consultant (surgery), chief finance manager and director of estates and facilities.

<1 year experience	£91,004
1-2 years	£91,004
2-3 years	£91,004
3-4 years	£91,004
4-5 years	£91,004
5+ years	£104,927

Support Workers

Eligibility: MSW, BSW

English Language Proficiency Test: UKVI IELTS 6 and above/UK NARIC C1 and UKVI PTE

Visa type: Skilled Worker

Social Workers are a regulated profession. All Social Workers must be registered with Social Work England and renew their registration on an annual basis.

SWE Requirements

If you qualified outside the UK, the following registration requirements must be met:

• Bachelors’ or Masters’ degree in Social Work 
• Evidence of English language proficiency

English Proficiency

There are four ways you can demonstrate English language proficiency:

1. Certificate of International English Language Testing System (IELTS); to accept an international English language testing system (IELTS) qualification, your certificate must show:

• You took the academic version of the test
• You achieved an overall score of at least 7.0
• You received your IELTS qualification within the last five years
• The original stamp and test report form number

2. A UK social work qualification recognised by Social Work England, provided it was awarded within the last five years.

3. A Social work qualification gained outside of the UK, in a country where English is the first and native language, provided it was awarded within the last 5 years

4. If you have been registered and practising as a social worker in a country where English is the first and native language; to qualify, you must have been registered and practising as a social worker for at least one year within the last five years, and an English language assessment must have been required for registration.

SWE Registration

You will need to provide the following as evidence of your qualification:

• Your certificate
• The name and address of your course provider
• The name and address of the awarding body
• A full transcript showing all the modules you studied

Your certificate must show the date your qualification was awarded. If it doesn’t, you will need a letter from your institution confirming this date. We may contact your course provider to gather information about the areas you covered throughout your studies.

Verify Your Identity

If you don’t live in the UK, you will need to provide documents that prove your identity and address, for example, your passport and a utility bill dated within the last 3 months. SWE will ask you for these documents after you’ve submitted your application.

Scrutiny Fee

As an overseas professional applying to join the register, you need to pay a non-refundable scrutiny fee of £495. SWE will ask you to pay this fee at the end of your application. You can pay the fee online, securely through GOV.UK Pay. If you are not able to pay online, you will have the option to pay via bank transfer.

SWE will not be able to consider your application without this payment. Once SWE have received payment, SWE will be able to check and verify your documents. SWE may also need to contact education providers, any relevant regulatory bodies and previous employers.

Registration Fee

If your application is successful, you will also need to pay a registration fee of £90.

When your registration fees are due, SWE will let you know via your online account. Registration fees must be paid within 14 calendar days. If you don’t pay your registration fees within 14 calendar days, SWE will close your application.

If you still want to practise as a social worker in England, you will need to make a new application to join the register.

Job Opportunities

Social Workers are employed by:

• Social service departments of local authorities
• Primary care or health service trusts
• Private and NHS Hospitals
• Children's home
• Voluntary and independent agencies

With experience, you may be able to work independently as a self-employed or freelancer or even set up your own company.

In England there are increasing numbers of social workers operating as independent practitioners and social enterprises are taking over social services in some areas. 

Pay Scale

Depending on the local authority and location, experience and area of work, salaries may vary.

Newly qualified social workers can expect around £25,000 and can rise up to over £40,000 per annum as they gain experience and responsibility.

Where it could lead…

For candidates from abroad lacking UK work experience, securing an interview with a UK employer, even with registration with the Social Workers of England (SWE), can be challenging. However, the current situation offers a valuable opportunity. By arriving in the UK on a skilled worker visa, individuals can gain the necessary work experience, enhance their English language proficiency, and complement their SWE registration. Subsequently, they become eligible to apply for interviews with public or private companies for roles in social work. This pathway presents a golden opportunity for those seeking to establish themselves in the UK social work sector. Furthermore, it's worth noting that individuals will be eligible for permanent residency from the day of their arrival, providing added stability and long-term prospects in the country.

IELTS - Click Here

Dependent Visa

A health and care visa candidates' spouse/partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependents’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Documents Required For a Dependent Visa Application:

• Passport
• Tuberculosis test report 
• Police clearance checks from all the countries they lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
• Birth Certificate (Children)
• Marriage Certificate, if married
• Accommodation proof in the UK (Tenancy Agreement)
• Employment confirmation letter or COS from the Employer of the Primary Visa holder.

Physiotherapist

HCPC Requirements

Qualification

English Proficiency

HCPC Registration

• Submit application forms and scrutiny fee £495.00
• A copy of your certified ID
• A copy of your certified proof of address 
• Certified proof of any name change (if applicable) 
• A passport size photo 
• A certified copy of your relevant qualification certificate and an official translation (where applicable) 
• The original and the certified translation of the Course information form 
• At least one completed form relating to your professional experience with contact details for your supervisor (while studying or since graduating

Job Opportunities

Pay Scale

Life In The UK

The United Kingdom is a welcoming and friendly place to live with lots to see and explore. It consists of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Currency

The UK uses its own currency, called the pound (£). Cash machines (ATMs) are easy to find and are usually free to use. You can pay by debit or credit card almost everywhere in the UK. Cash is usually (but rarely) required at very small shops, outdoor markets, some pubs and cafes, local buses, and for taxis.

Transport

The public transport system is very efficient and you can get almost anywhere using this. Trains are the fastest way to travel, especially for long journeys. Book your tickets in advance for the cheapest prices. Coaches are often the cheapest way to explore the UK – you can travel between major cities for as little as £5.

Food

It is easy to find good food in the UK and we have some of the world's top restaurants.Lots of cheap restaurants, and food markets, are available for those on a budget. It is possible to try food from all over the world, even in small towns. Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai and Mexican food are all very popular and quite easily available. 

Traditional British food includes fish and chips, full English breakfast, Sunday roast dinners, Yorkshire pudding, Cornish pasties, cream tea, pies, haggis, local cheese, and of course plenty of tea and cake.

Supermarkets are good places to find cheap options for lunch and snack, to reduce the cost of living.

Weather

Weather in the UK is mostly temperamental. Winter is from around November to March, spring from March to May, summer from June to July and autumn from September to October. Despite this, it rains throughout the year and in the winter, you will get to see flurries of snowstorms.

Diversity

The UK has a very diverse population - people from all over the world live here. The UK is a tolerant society, and it is illegal to discriminate against people because of their race, religion, gender, sexuality or disability.

Paramedical

Paramedical staff are vital contributors to the healthcare sector, tasked with a wide range of clinical duties under the guidance of doctors and nurses in various environments, including hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and community health centres. Their role demands a versatile skill set, including the execution of medical procedures, outstanding communication for effective patient and team interactions, and the demonstration of empathy and compassion towards patients from diverse backgrounds. They are required to have excellent problem-solving abilities, particularly in critical situations, maintain robust physical stamina to cope with long hours and physical tasks, such as moving patients or equipment, and the ability to work seamlessly within a multidisciplinary healthcare team. 

Effective from March 11, 2024, will see Care Workers and Senior Care Workers (SOC 6145 and 6146) unable to include dependents in their UK visa applications, marking a significant policy shift.

For paramedical staff with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, this presents an advantageous opportunity to utilize their qualifications and secure employment in the UK. Moving to the UK on a work permit not only allows them to apply their professional skills in a new environment but also provides opportunities for regular interaction with native speakers, aiding in language proficiency improvement. These interactions are crucial for showcasing abilities and facilitating a smoother integration into the registered profession within the UK healthcare system.

PCC Services for Gulf Countries

Offering comprehensive Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) services for all GCC countries, tailored for individuals seeking migration or educational opportunities.

Documents required:

Passport copy, Residential certificate

UKNARIC services

The Visas and Nationality Services support you if you need to evidence the level of your college degree and/or your English language proficiency for the UK Home Office.

Secure your Statement of Comparability with ease through our standard processing time of 14 working days or opt for Fast Track services.

Documents required:

Passport copy, Convocation Certificate, Transcript of Marks, Medium of Instruction letter from university.