Sponsorship and Visa Guidance for Healthcare Recruitment
At Willing Care, we simplify international recruitment for clients in the healthcare sector. If you're an employer navigating the complexities of sponsorship, we provide expert guidance and support to ensure compliance with immigration laws and streamline the hiring process. Our team works closely with care homes and healthcare providers across the UK to implement the best recruitment practices, secure the necessary visas, and match qualified professionals to your staffing needs. We make international recruitment efficient, compliant, and hassle-free for employers.
Building Your Workforce with Sponsorship
Sponsorship allows UK employers to hire skilled workers from overseas to fill critical vacancies in healthcare and social care roles. To sponsor overseas candidates, employers must first obtain a Sponsorship Licence from the UK Home Office. This licence grants you the ability to recruit skilled workers and issue them Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), allowing them to apply for visas.
How to Obtain a Sponsorship Licence
The process to obtain a sponsorship licence is straightforward, but it requires careful attention to detail to ensure compliance. Follow these steps:
Visit the UK Government’s official website: The first step is to visit the UK Government Sponsorship Licence page. You can access this page by visiting the official UK Government website and navigating to the section on Sponsorship Licences for employers.
This page contains all necessary instructions for applying online.
Pass the Home Office Assessment: The Home Office will assess your application to ensure that your organisation is capable of fulfilling sponsor responsibilities, such as monitoring sponsored employees.
Prepare the Required Documents: You will need to provide proof that your organisation is genuine and operating legally within the UK. This can include:
Evidence of your business operations (e.g., business registration, tax details, etc.).
Job descriptions for the roles you are seeking to fill.
Compliance with UK employment law, such as proof of offering fair wages and working conditions.
Submit the Application: You can apply for the sponsorship licence online. You'll need to pay the application fee (depending on your organisation’s size) and submit supporting documentation.
Once approved, you will receive your sponsorship licence, allowing you to sponsor eligible overseas workers.
Types of Sponsorship Licences
There are two main types of licences, each suited to different organisations:
Small or Charitable Sponsorship Licence
Designed for smaller organisations or charities with fewer recruitment needs. A business in the UK is considered a small sponsor for visa purposes if it meets at least two of the following criteria: Annual turnover of £10.2 million or less, Total assets of £5.1 million or less, and 50 employees or fewer.
The cost is typically lower for smaller organisations or charities, and they are permitted to issue a limited number of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) each year, depending on the allocation approved during their sponsorship licence application. This licence is ideal for smaller care homes or healthcare organisations.
Large Sponsorship Licence
Intended for larger businesses with a need to recruit a greater number of overseas workers.
The cost of this licence is higher; for example, a Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) licence costs £1,476 for large businesses compared to £536 for smaller organisations. However, it offers greater flexibility, allowing companies to issue more Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) annually, making it ideal for those with larger recruitment needs.
It comes with additional reporting responsibilities and compliance duties, including ensuring workers are working in the specified roles and pay rates.
Both licence types require ongoing management to ensure compliance with Home Office requirements. This includes duties such as reporting any changes in employment status, roles, or personal details of sponsored workers, as well as ensuring that the business continues to meet the sponsorship obligations. Failure to comply can result in penalties or the loss of the licence.
Types of Visas for International Healthcare Workers
When hiring international healthcare professionals, it’s crucial to understand the various visa options available for your potential employees. The Skilled Worker Visa (formerly Tier 2) is the most common visa for healthcare professionals, but there are other options depending on the candidate’s situation.
Skilled Worker Visa (Tier 2)
This visa is the primary route for overseas healthcare professionals who have a job offer from a UK employer. It enables them to work in healthcare roles where there is a shortage of skilled professionals.
Eligibility Criteria:
The role must meet a minimum skill level of RQF Level 3 or above (equivalent to A-levels).
The role must meet the minimum salary requirement of £26,200 per year or £10.75 per hour, unless the role is listed on the Shortage Occupation List.
The position must be on the Shortage Occupation List, which includes a wide range of healthcare roles such as nurses, senior care workers, and healthcare assistants.
Graduate Visa
If an international candidate has completed a degree in the UK on a Student Visa, they may be eligible for a Graduate Visa.
This visa permits them to work in any field in the UK without sponsorship for up to 2 years (or 3 years for PhD graduates).
Important: The time spent on a Graduate Visa does not count toward the 5 years required for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, if you wish to retain the employee long-term, they can switch to a Skilled Worker Visa, which counts towards the ILR requirement.
Spousal Visa
Candidates who are married to a UK resident or a UK citizen can apply for a Spousal Visa, which allows them to live and work in the UK without the need for employer sponsorship.
If the candidate is married to someone who holds a Skilled Worker Visa (Tier 2), they can apply for a dependent visa, enabling them to live and work in the UK without the need for separate employer sponsorship.
The Spousal Visa typically lasts for 2.5 years, with the option to extend and eventually apply for permanent residency.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
After 5 years on a Skilled Worker Visa, your employee may become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allowing them to live and work in the UK permanently without the need for sponsorship.
To qualify, they must meet several requirements, such as:
Meeting the residency requirement.
Having continuous lawful residence in the UK.
Passing the Life in the UK Test.
Demonstrating English language proficiency.
For further information or to check eligibility, refer to the official page HERE.
How We Support Clients
For Clients
Candidate Recruitment: Our expert team sources skilled candidates who meet all visa requirements and qualifications, ensuring they’re ready to start work with minimal delay. We take care of all necessary checks for a smooth and efficient hiring process.
Ongoing Compliance: We offer guidance to ensure your recruitment practices are fully compliant with Home Office regulations. Our support helps you manage and monitor your sponsored workers, while also ensuring a smooth onboarding process to seamlessly integrate them into your organisation.
Why Work with Willing Care?
Expertise in Healthcare Recruitment: With years of experience in healthcare recruitment, we understand the specific challenges and requirements of both clients and candidates.
Comprehensive Support: From sponsorship licences to candidate onboarding, we handle the entire process to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Ethical Recruitment Practices: We adhere to the highest ethical standards and comply with all UK immigration regulations to ensure a transparent, fair recruitment process.
Take the Next Step with Us
Whether you're a healthcare provider looking to hire skilled international workers or a healthcare professional ready to advance your career in the UK, we’re here to make the process simple and efficient.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your recruitment or career journey.