• March 27, 2026

Health and Care Worker Visa salary threshold changes for Band 3 workers from April 1

LONDON March 27: From Wednesday 1 April 2026, the full-time Agenda for Change Band 3 entry point increases to £25,760 meaning that healthcare support workers will be eligible for international sponsorship, as the role appears on the Immigration Salary List (under SOC code 6131). This was confirmed in the government’s announcement in February 2026 and exceeds the minimum salary requirement for the Health and Care Worker Visa which remains at £25,000.
What this means for employers: This is positive news and will ease the difficulties many have faced switching from other visa routes, such as the Graduate Visa, into the Health and Care Visa route, to remain in post. Visa salary thresholds are reviewed periodically by the Home Office and may increase in the future. Employers should ensure staff and prospective applicants understand that future visa renewals or switches will be assessed against the rules in place at the time they apply so they can make informed decisions. There is no guarantee that roles meeting current thresholds will meet future thresholds.

Q: Will the salary threshold increase in the future?
A. Visa salary thresholds are reviewed periodically by the Home Office and may increase in future. We continue to work closely with the Home Office and will communicate any updates as soon as they are formally confirmed in the Immigration Rules.

Q. Which support roles are eligible for sponsorship? (updated 26/03)
A. Healthcare support roles at NHS pay band 3 may be eligible for sponsorship where the duties align with SOC code 6131 (nursing auxiliaries and assistant). This SOC code is currently included on the Immigration Salary List and meets the minimum skills threshold of RQF level 3 (A-Level) or above.

Q. Will Band 2 staff be eligible for sponsorship as their uplift meets the minimum salary threshold?
A. No. Band 2 staff are ineligible for sponsorship because the roles do not meet the minimum skills threshold of RQF level 3 (A-Level or equivalent) or above, regardless of salary.

Q. What will happen to SOC code 6131 when the Immigration Salary List (ISL) is phased out in December 2026?
A. The ISL is the list used by the Home Office to identify roles that are eligible for certain salary and skill related flexibilities within the Skilled Worker/Health and Care Worker Visa routes. When the ISL is withdrawn in December 2026, these flexibilities will no longer apply in the same way. New applications under SOC code 6131 (nursing auxiliaries and assistants) will not be possible after December 2026.

Details of any transitional arrangements for staff already working in SOC 6131 roles, including whether a visa switch will be possible, for example from Graduate Visa to Health and Care Visa, will be confirmed by the Home Office in due course. We will be looking at the data and will want to discuss impacts of different scenarios with you.

To qualify for sponsorship, the role must also meet the minimum salary requirement for the Health and Care Worker Visa, which is currently £25,000. Please be aware that eligibility may change in the future, including through increases to the salary threshold and/or the withdrawal of the Immigration Salary List, which is scheduled for December 2026. – Courtesy NHS Employers