Guidance

Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad

Guidance for prospective international applicants for health and social care jobs in the UK.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 15 December 2022
• Last updated: 30 October 2024 — See all updates

Documents

Part 1: applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad

HTML

Part 2: living and working in the UK - what you need to know as a health and care worker

HTML

Advice to help you stay safe (leaflet - web version)

PDF, 692 KB, 4 pages

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Advice to help you stay safe (leaflet - print version)

PDF, 1.02 MB, 2 pages

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Details

This guidance is for people from overseas who may want to work in health and social care in the UK.

It is divided into 2 parts. ‘Part 1: applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad’ provides support for prospective overseas candidates applying for jobs. It includes information on: 

• recruitment processes and agencies
• how to avoid scams
• understanding finances
• employment offers and contracts
• visas and professional regulation

‘Part 2: living and working in the UK - what you need to know as a health and care worker’ sets out what prospective candidates need to know before they come to work and live in the UK. It offers guidance on:

• being aware of exploitation and what to do about it
• arranging accommodation
• worker legal rights and standards
• employment changes and visas
• equality and inclusion in the workforce
• where to go for further guidance, support or help in the UK 

The accompanying leaflet gives an overview of the main messages from the full guidance. 

Other relevant guidance on GOV.UK includes: 

• Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel 
• Health and Care Worker visa guidance

Published 15 December 2022
Last updated 30 October 2024 + show all updates

1. 30 October 2024

   In 'Part 1: applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad', we have removed the reference to biometric residence permits, because they have been replaced with electronic visas (eVisas).

2. 18 March 2024

   Reordered and refined content into 2 parts to improve navigation of the document. New content on, in Part 1, fraud, EEA qualifications, professional indemnity, requirement to drive; and, in Part 2, example concerns, visa extensions, pensions, healthcare services, adapting to cultural differences and religious support groups.

3. 6 July 2023

   Updated link to latest WHO health workforce support and safeguards list and the number of countries on that list (which is now 55).

4. 3 April 2023

   Updated guidance around taking on additional work if you have a Health and Care Worker visa.

5. 15 December 2022

   First published.