The UK’s current Immigration Rules, reaffirm the opportunity for employers to sponsor qualified therapists under the Health and Care Visa route. This pathway continues to serve as a vital solution for addressing skills shortages in the health sector while ensuring that recruitment practices remain aligned with national pay standards.
For healthcare providers, the ability to employ overseas therapists not only strengthens workforce capacity but also enhances service delivery in critical areas of patient care. By meeting the prescribed salary thresholds and fulfilling sponsor licence obligations, organisations can confidently access a global talent pool, offering eligible candidates, the benefits of a streamlined visa process, the option to bring dependants, and a secure route to contributing their expertise within the UK’s health system.
Understanding the Health and Care Visa and Option K
The Health and Care Visa is a specialised stream within the broader Skilled Worker route, designed for qualified healthcare professionals, including therapists. It offers benefits including faster processing, reduced visa fees, and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge for applicants and their dependants. These advantages apply to the job listed in the eligible SOC codes and meet the required salary and employer sponsorship criteria.
Under the current immigration rules, therapist roles are categorised under Option K of the Skilled Worker points system. To qualify under Option K, the applicant must:
- Be sponsored in a health or education occupation code listed in Table 3.
- Earn at least the general threshold and meet the full going rate based on national pay scales, as specified in Tables 3, 3a, 4 or 5 of Appendix Skilled Occupations.
This framework ensures that therapists, typically employed under NHS or national pay structures, receive appropriate remuneration when entering the UK under the category of health and care visa.
Understanding Table 3 and Therapist Categories
Table 3 of the Appendix Skilled Occupations list contains health and education occupations whose going rates are based on national pay scales. These roles are considered RQF level 6 or above and are eligible under various immigration routes including skilled worker, Global Business Mobility, and Scale-up routes with some limited exceptions.
Moreover, Table 3 is central to Option K of the Skilled Worker points system, which allows employers to sponsor applicants whose roles fall under these occupations, provided they meet the relevant salary requirements.
Within the category of Therapy professionals, Table 3 lists the following SOC 2020 occupation codes and roles:
| SOC Code | Category | Job Title |
| 2221 | Physiotherapists | Electro-therapists Physiotherapists Physiotherapy practitioners |
| 2222 | Occupational Therapists | Community occupational therapist Occupational therapist Paediatric occupational therapist |
| 2223 | Speech and language therapists | Communication therapist Language therapist Speech and language therapist Speech therapist |
| 2224 | Psychotherapists and cognitive behaviour therapists | Cognitive behavioural therapist Psychoanalyst Psychological counsellor Psychotherapist |
| 2225 | Clinical psychologists | Clinical psychologist Consultant clinical psychologist |
| 2226 | Other psychologists | Educational psychologist Forensic psychologist Occupational psychologist Psychologist Psychometrist |
| 2229 | Therapy professionals not elsewhere classified | Acupuncturist Art therapist Chiropractor Dance movement therapist Family therapist Genetic counsellor Nutritionist Osteopath Sports massage therapist Sports therapis |
(Source: Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations)
Each role is formally recognised with a specific SOC 2020 code, ensuring clarity and compliance during the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assignment process.
Why Therapist Roles Still Qualify?
Table 3 of the Appendix Skilled Occupations includes health and education occupations subject to national pay scales, including therapy professionals, that are eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship under Option K, in cases where the going rates are derived from national pay scales (e.g., NHS Agenda for Change). Moreover, these roles are typically graduate-level (RQF 6 or above) and remain eligible under the Health and Care visa.
Even with the regulations updated on 22 July 2025, Table 3 continues to apply to therapist roles, confirming that employers can still recruit therapists under the national pay scale model.
Understand Salary Requirements
As per the current Immigration Rules, these roles must satisfy Option K salary criteria:
- Health and Care Visa Salary Requirements
One of the most employer-friendly features of the Health and Care Visa is that the minimum salary threshold remains at £25,000 per annum for roles covered by national pay scales, even though the general Skilled Worker salary threshold has increased. This distinction helps therapists, often positioned within structured NHS or comparable public pay frameworks, remain competitive and accessible as sponsored workers.
- Going Rate and Pro-Ration Rules
Roles listed in Table 3 must meet the going rate defined by the relevant national pay scale, which varies by role and region (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). These salaries are generally based on a 40-hour working week, as listed in table 3 to 5 and must be pro-rated for different working patterns.
For instance, Physiotherapists, Speech and language therapists, and Occupational therapists follow the NHS Agenda for Change Bands across the UK.
Dependants: Bringing Family Members Along
A key advantage of the Health and Care Visa is exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), significantly reducing costs for both applicants and employers. Additionally, dependants are permitted, which allows talented therapists to bring partner/spouse and children to the UK, enhancing the attractiveness and retention of overseas hires.
Key points under the Skilled Worker Health & Care visa route for roles under Table 3:
- Dependant partners and children can apply to come to the UK alongside the principal applicant.
- They must meet the financial requirement, either by demonstrating sufficient funds or via a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) certification by the employer.
- At least £285 for the partner.
- £315 for the first child.
- £200 for each additional child.
- Funds must be held for a minimum of 28 days in line with Appendix Finance.
- Employers may choose to certify maintenance, meaning they guarantee to support dependants for the first month at required amounts, potentially easing the burden for employees.
Health and Care Worker Visa: Additional Advantages
Given the nature of therapist roles, they often qualify under the Health and Care Worker visa, which brings several employer and employee benefits:
- Lower salary threshold: Some health roles may qualify for lower rates, however, note that for national pay scale roles, the full rate still applies, and reductions aren’t allowed.
- Reduced application fees: Health and Care Worker visa applicants may pay lower Home Office application fees and are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Faster, prioritised processing for health roles.
Employers should verify whether the specific therapist role is explicitly covered by the Health and Care Worker visa benefits, but many therapy-related SOCs fall under health care categories.
Why Should Sponsors Consider Hiring a Therapist?
- Competitive hiring edge: Offering national scale salaries and dependants’ benefits attracts therapist talent globally.
- Cost-effective sponsorship: The Health and Care Visa provides both financial savings and streamlined application process.
- Future flexibility: Option K allows reliance on national pay scale roles regardless of broader skilled worker list changes, particularly as evolving immigration policies may restrict other occupations.
Conclusion: A Compelling Sponsorship Opportunity
The UK’s current Immigration Rules reaffirm a clear pathway for employers to sponsor qualified therapists under the Health and Care Visa, safeguarding both workforce supply and adherence to national pay standards. The therapists roles listed in Table 3 remain eligible under Option K, provided salary thresholds and going rates tied to NHS or national pay scales are met. From understanding SOC codes and salary requirements to leveraging the visa’s benefits, such as reduced fees, dependants’ eligibility, and streamlined processing, employers can continue to recruit globally to meet critical service needs.
By aligning job offers with national pay bands, confirming the correct SOC code, and ensuring compliance throughout the sponsorship process, organisations can secure skilled therapists who enhance patient care and service delivery.
At City Legal Solicitors, we guide employers through every stage of sponsoring healthcare professionals, from navigating the Skilled Worker rules to managing Certificates of Sponsorship, ensuring your recruitment process is compliant, efficient, and positioned for long-term success.
