2. Getting here: visas and the sponsorship system
Key visa types
Visa type Who it’ s for Work rights and restrictions Skilled Worker visa
Health and Care Worker
Graduate visa
Family / partner visa
Asylum / refugee status
EU Settlement Scheme
Other visas( e. g. Ancestry, Youth Mobility, Temporary Work)
Skilled workers in approved roles
Health professionals and adult social care workers
International students completing UK courses
Spouses / partners or parents of British / settled persons
People seeking or granted protection
EU citizens resident before 2021
Commonwealth citizens, young people, or shortterm workers
Must be sponsored; salary threshold applies; potential route to settlement; dependants allowed with conditions
Sub-category of Skilled Worker visa; reduced fees and no health surcharge; no dependants allowed( since March 2024)
2-year post-study work( 3 for PhDs); cannot extend; no new dependants allowed
Full access to work; eligible for settlement after 5 years
Limited work rights while claims processed; full rights for recognised refugees
Pre-settled and settled status holders have work rights; pre-settled must upgrade within 5 years
Each has specific rules around duration, switching, and settlement
For a full overview, see Right to Remain’ s visa toolkit.
The journey to the UK for health and social care workers
The typical path to working in the UK begins in the migrant worker’ s home country. Agencies often play a key role in finding job offers, helping with registration, and supporting the visa application process. The following are the steps taken by workers in different occupational groups to get here:
Nurses
• Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council( NMC): Pass an English language test, verify qualifications, and prepare for the Test of Competence( CBT and OSCE). OSCE must be taken in the UK.
• Apply for jobs: Via NHS trusts or approved international recruitment agencies.
• Receive Certificate of Sponsorship( CoS): Job offer and employer sponsorship secured.
• Visa application: Submit supporting documents online, including the CoS, TB test results, criminal record certificate, proof of qualifications, and a valid passport.
14 LRD • Supporting migrant workers