A Guide for Physiotherapists Applying for a UK work visa

 

Chichester Physio Ltd is a recognised and approved Sponsor providing Skilled Worker visa’s (Health and Care Worker visa).  We support overseas applications and support physios who want to fill out their visa application.

For physio’s looking to join our team, fill in this form: 

Before you apply for a Health and Care Worker visa as a physiotherapist you must:

• Be a qualified physiotherapist.
• Have a confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office (eg Chichester Physio)
• Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer including the role you’ve been offered https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/your-job

For information on how to apply for the HCPC Physiotherapy registration, go to this page: 

www.chichesterphysio.co.uk/hcpc-registration

Salary Requirement

• You need to be paid the minimum salary or ongoing rate for job you have been offered https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less
• The job offer must pay you more than £20,480 per annum as a physiotherapist.

Knowledge of English:

• You need to prove that you can read, write, speak and understand English. In most cases this means taking a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt
• You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are from countries that can be found on this list https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english
• If you have studied a degree course in the UK, you won't need to submit an English language test.

Application fee and money required for support:

• Up to 3 years - £284 per person & more than 3 years - £551 per person which would be automatically reduced by £55 for the principal applicant if they belong to the countries that can be found on this link https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs
• Apply for more than 3 years.

List of documents Required

• Certificate of sponsorship including reference number, job title, annual salary, occupation code, name of employer and their sponsor licence number.
• Surrey Physio provide you with the certificate of sponsorship.
• Surrey Physio are an A-rated company and A-rated companies are prioritised, and the process is quicker and easier.
• Proof of English.
• A valid passport or document that shows your identity and nationality.
• Evidence of personal savings.
• Proof of your relationship with your partner or children.
• Tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk
• a criminal record certificate https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

Tuberculosis Test:

• You need to get your tuberculosis test completed prior to applying for the visa.
• The tuberculosis test can take time to book, so book this as soon as you can.
• Depending on your country, it may cost around £200-300 to get this test booked.
• You will have an X-ray done, and then you are issued with a certificate.

Criminal Record Certificate / Police Clearance:

• Physiotherapists from other countries who have joined Surrey Physio have found delays in getting their Criminal record certificate sent to them. So apply ASAP for this.
• For example, in South Africa, it can take several months to get this certificate.
• If there are fast-track options always take the fast-track approach.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

• You will need a certificate of sponsorship. However, first you must have your IELTS, TB and Police Clearance.
• Once you have this, go to this page www.surreyphysio.co.uk/cos-form and send us the information so we can apply for your CoS. Once we have received your CoS we will then send you the CoS certificate so you can apply for the UK visa.

Apply for a Health and Care Worker visa

• You can start the visa application here: https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/live-in-crown-dependency/skilled_worker_out_uk?uid=cea17dbd-68ac-49df-ae1f-dc0abb8c3a5c You will apply through the “Skilled Worker Visa” option.
• You can start your partner visa application here: https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/live-in-crown-dependency/pbs_dependant_partner_out_uk?uid=b270a9df-280c-4131-a1d8-dc53316a680b
• You can start your child visa application here: https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/live-in-crown-dependency/pbs_dependant_child_out_uk?uid=86a43549-f2c4-49a2-bde6-4543383010f9
• You can also switch to a Health and Care Worker visa if you are on different type of visa in UK https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/switch-to-this-visa

How long does it take to get a decision

• Decision will usually come within three weeks, once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, but if your application will take longer you will be contacted.
• You can start your partner visa application here: https://apply-to-visit-or-stay-in-the-uk.homeoffice.gov.uk/sort/live-in-crown-dependency/pbs_dependant_partner_out_uk?uid=b270a9df-280c-4131-a1d8-dc53316a680b
• You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application.
• For any changes in your application after submission, you need to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk

General Guidelines

• Good news, the Immigration Health Surcharge is exempt for the principal applicant and their dependent family because this is a health and care visa. This will save you a lot of money.
• You should not tick the Health and Care Visa box if your employer has not confirmed on the Certificate of Sponsorship that you are eligible. Your sponsor must be a provider to the National Health Service (NHS).
• You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application.
• You will need to provide certified translation if your documents are not in English or Welsh https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document
• Your partner or children will need to apply separately.
• Provide as much relevant information and documents as possible to support your visa application for example (salary slips, employment history, experience certificate, contract letter etc).
• Make sure that you apply for all your family at the first opportunity because the certificate of sponsorship is a very strong document. So applying together is advised.

Common Information required for filling in a visa application

Email address, Date you plan to arrive in the UK, Are you now or have you ever been known by another name, Date of birth, correspondence address / address history / detail of your living situation/contact number/ Passport details / Spouse / partner details/ Parent details/ Employment/ Accommodation details in UK/ Travel history (UK)/ Travel history (other)/ Other history(Involvement in war, crimes etc.)/ Extra information (to clarify any of your query) / Sponsor & Job detail/ English language/ passport/ Criminal record certificate/ Maintenance/ Parental responsibility, school, Letter of consent from your parents or legal guardians (child) /Consent/ Declaration.

 

Note: This is a general guideline document for international visa applicants and Chichester Physio cannot be responsible for your application. You must follow GOV.UK website for any up to date information.