Updated 2 November 2026
No, Kenyans can no longer get a new UK care worker visa from Kenya: the Health and Care Worker visa is closed to new care worker and senior care worker applicants from abroad. GOV.UK now lists those two jobs (occupation codes 6135 and 6136) only for people already in the UK who are extending, updating or switching a visa. Nurses, midwives, doctors, many other health professionals and nursing assistants can still apply from Kenya, and for them the visa fee is £324 to £628 (about KSh 56,117 to KSh 108,770).
That rule matters because many “UK care job” adverts still circulate in Kenya, some asking for large upfront payments. This guide sets out what GOV.UK says about the route, what an eligible applicant pays, and how to spot an offer that cannot be real. Rules were checked on November 1, 2026. Shilling figures use the Central Bank of Kenya rate of KSh 173.20 to the pound on 30 October 2026, so treat them as approximate.
Can Kenyans Still Get a UK Care Worker Visa?
Not as a new applicant. The UK care worker visa route now only serves people already in the UK.
GOV.UK’s eligibility page splits the jobs into two lists:
- New applicants, including from Kenya: doctors, nurses (midwifery, community, specialist, mental health, children’s and other registered nurses), midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, paramedics, social workers, laboratory and pharmaceutical technicians, and nursing auxiliaries and assistants (code 6131), among others.
- Only for extending, updating or switching inside the UK: care workers and home carers (6135) and senior care workers (6136). Someone switching from another visa must also have worked legally in the job for their sponsor for at least 3 months.
Other changes also apply. A care worker who extends or switches cannot bring a partner or children as dependants unless one of a few exceptions applies, such as having worked as a care worker on a sponsored visa since before 11 March 2024. In England, the employer must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.
UK Care Worker Visa Costs in KSh (Health and Care Worker Route)
| Cost | Amount (GOV.UK) | About in KSh |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee, up to 3 years | £324 per person | KSh 56,117 |
| Visa fee, more than 3 years | £628 per person | KSh 108,770 |
| Money to support yourself (unless your employer certifies it) | £1,270, held for 28 days in a row | KSh 219,964 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Not charged on this visa, for you or your family | KSh 0 |
| Fingerprints and photo | No fee | KSh 0 |
On top of these come costs GOV.UK does not set: an approved English test, a tuberculosis test if you are from a listed country, a criminal record certificate for some jobs, your passport and your flight. For English test prices in Kenya, see our guide to IELTS fees and test centres in Kenya. For your passport, see how to apply for a Kenyan passport online.
UK Care Worker Visa Requirements for Eligible Health Jobs
- A confirmed job offer from a UK employer approved by the Home Office, and a certificate of sponsorship from that employer.
- A salary of at least £31,300 a year (about KSh 5,421,160) or the job’s going rate, whichever is higher. Some jobs have different salary rules, and the job must pay at least the UK minimum wage.
- English at level B2 for new applicants (the level rose from B1; people who held the visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending still need B1).
- Documents: a valid passport, the certificate of sponsorship reference, proof of English, your job title, salary and occupation code, and the employer’s sponsor licence number.
Whichever job you hold, GOV.UK says most Health and Care Worker (UK care worker visa) applicants get a decision within 3 weeks of applying and proving their identity. The visa can last up to 5 years and be extended, and after 5 years you may qualify to settle.
How to Spot a Fake UK Care Worker Visa Offer
- A UK care worker visa sold to someone in Kenya. The route for new care worker applicants from abroad is closed, so an agent selling one is either misinformed or running a scam.
- Paying for a certificate of sponsorship. The employer issues it. GOV.UK says the employer pays the sponsor licence fee, not you.
- An unlicensed Kenyan agent. Any agency recruiting Kenyans for jobs abroad must be licensed by the National Employment Authority. Check with our guide on how to check if an agency is NEA-licensed, and see what recruitment agencies can legally charge.
- A salary below £31,300 for a job that does not fall under the lower salary rules.
Nurses may also want our guide on nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia. If you are weighing other countries, compare Canada Express Entry costs and the Germany Opportunity Card. Before you leave, set up a Kenyan bank account you can run from abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a UK care worker visa from Kenya in 2026?
No. GOV.UK lists care workers (6135) and senior care workers (6136) only for people extending, updating or switching inside the UK.
How much is the UK Health and Care Worker visa fee?
£324 per person for up to 3 years or £628 for more than 3 years, about KSh 56,117 or KSh 108,770.
Do I pay the Immigration Health Surcharge on this visa?
No. GOV.UK says Health and Care Worker visa holders and their families don’t pay it.
How much money do I need to show?
£1,270 (about KSh 219,964) held for 28 days in a row, unless your employer certifies your maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship.
Can nursing assistants still apply from Kenya?
Yes. Code 6131, nursing auxiliaries and assistants, appears on GOV.UK’s list for new applicants, subject to the salary and other rules.
Rules on the UK care worker visa change often, so check GOV.UK again before you pay anyone. Searching for jobs at home while you plan? See JobinKenya.
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