Student Immigration Service

Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker

The Skilled Worker visa is the main immigration route for migrants who wish to work in the UK.

Skilled Worker route

The Skilled Worker visa is the main work route under the Points Based Immigration System. It was introduced on 1 December 2020 and has replaced a visa previously known as Tier 2 (General).

The Health and Care Worker visa is a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa. A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. It has the same requirements as the Skilled Worker visa, but applies to particular 'SOC codes' (Skilled Occupation Code).

If you are currently studying on a Student visa in the UK, please note the following: 

Those studying a UK bachelor's/UK master's/PGCE/PGDE

  • Can apply once their course of study is complete
  • Can apply within 3 months of completing their course (only if the start date on their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is on or after their course completion date, higher education providers with a track record of compliance only) 

Those studying a PhD 

  • Can apply once their course of study is complete
  • Can apply if the start date of the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course (higher education providers with a track record of compliance only) 
  • Can apply within 3 months of completing their course (only if the start date on their CoS is on or after their course completion date) 

 

 

We do not provide a checking service for Skilled route applications. You’ll find full information about Skilled route by reading the resources listed on this page.  However, if there is anything you do not understand about this information, we are happy to answer general enquiries.

For more information on what happens at the end of your studies:

At the end of your studies