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Relocation cost calculator

Plan your move to the UK as a healthcare worker. See your real costs — visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, flights and initial accommodation — against what NHS employers typically cover, so you can budget before you commit.

Your visa route

This route is exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — a saving of £3,105 for this visa length.

Visa length

Your personal costs

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£
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What your NHS employer covers

Relocation packages vary a lot by Trust — confirm the exact figure in your offer or the policy on the Trust's website.

£

Your total cost

£4,448

Visa application fee£324
IHS (exempt)£0
Maintenance funds£0
Flights£800
Initial accommodation£1,800
English test£490
TB test£100
Professional registration£934

Employer covers

£2,000

Relocation package−£2,000

You pay out of pocket

£2,448

Have this saved before you travel. Banks usually want the funds held for 28 days unless your employer certifies maintenance.

Health & Care Worker route saves you £3,105 in IHS vs a standard Skilled Worker visa of the same length.

Where these figures come from

  • Visa fees: Health & Care Worker £324 (≤3 yrs) / £628 (over 3 yrs); Skilled Worker £819 (≤3 yrs) / £1,618 (over 3 yrs) — per applicant and dependant.
  • IHS: £1,035 per person per year, exempt on the Health & Care Worker route.
  • Maintenance: £1,270 per person, waived if your employer certifies maintenance on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
GOV.UK — H&C visa costs
GOV.UK — Skilled Worker costs

What NHS employers often cover

  • Relocation package: varies widely — some Trusts offer a few hundred pounds, others £6,000–£8,000, sometimes repayable if you leave early.
  • Accommodation: many Trusts arrange temporary housing for the first weeks, sometimes a month free or subsidised.
  • Visa & OSCE fees: often reimbursed or paid up front; check whether repayment is tied to a minimum stay.
  • Maintenance: the sponsor can certify maintenance on the CoS so you don't need to show £1,270 in the bank.

Since July 2025, new overseas sponsorship for care workers and senior care workers on the Health & Care route has largely closed (limited transitional arrangements only).

This calculator gives indicative figures based on 2026 official rates and typical ranges. Actual costs and employer support vary by Trust, role and family size. It's information to help you plan — not immigration or financial advice. Confirm your exact package with your employer and check the official sources above before committing.

See English test requirements by role