Immigration Advice Service
If you're an RCN member and are already in the UK, you can get confidential support and assistance on immigration issues.
In addition to lots of online advice and resources, our experienced team of immigration solicitors can offer RCN members expert guidance and advice.
New salary threshold for Care Workers on Skilled Worker (Health and Care) Visas
From the 9th of April 2025, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Workers will increase to £12.82 per hour or £25,000 per year from £23,200. This increase will apply to any care worker applying to enter the UK from overseas from the 9th of April 2025 or any sponsored worker already in the UK who applies to extend their visa in the Skilled Worker category as a Care Worker from the 9th of April 2025.
Care Workers on code 6135 and 6136 with a new Certificate of Sponsorship from the 9th of April 2025 must earn a minimum hourly rate of £12.82 per hour. Workers must meet both the minimum hourly rate threshold of £12.82 AND the annual threshold of £25,000 to qualify for sponsorship from the 9th of April 2025.
A further change to the Immigration Rules is that from the 9th of April 2025, employers in England must demonstrate that they have attempted to recruit from within England for Care Worker positions. The requirement to prioritise recruitment from England will not affect workers who were already sponsored before the 9th of April 2025. It will also not affect workers already in the UK that have applied for the Skilled Worker visa from other visa categories; however, they must have worked lawfully for their employer for at least three months.
Please read more about the changes here. Although this is an NHS employers website, changes apply to the Independent Sector as well.
The RCN Immigration Advice Service
Our immigration solicitors can help with matters such as:
- extensions and changes to current visas
- situations where your immigration status is unclear
- settlement applications, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and permanent residency (PR)
- appeals and administrative reviews where appropriate
- legal advice or clarification of immigration law regarding employment issues, e.g. suspension, dismissal and redundancy.
What we can advise on
- The Health and Care visa (formally called the Tier 2 (General) visa)
- Student visas
- Domestic violence and immigration applications
- Changing or extending your current visa
- Applications based on marriage/civil partnership
- European Settled Status Scheme applications
- British citizenship
- Human rights claims (10 years route to settlement)
- Refugee settlement applications
- Appeals and administrative reviews
- Visa fee waiver applications
What we can't advise on
The RCN Immigration Service cannot offer any advice or assistance with asylum applications.
We can however assist with finding accredited advisors who will be able to assist with asylum claims.
How to contact the RCN Immigration Advice Service
If you need advice on immigration matters please have a look at our resources and advice guides first as your question may be answered there.
If you do need further advice or support, contact the RCN advice team who will discuss your situation in more detail, and explore whether you need to be referred to the RCN Immigration Advice Service for advice or an appointment.
Work related issues and other support
RCN members can also get help and advice on work related issues, or issues involving your career, finances, emotional health, and more.
Confidentiality and data protection
Confidentiality is central to the service we offer. Any information concerning clients of the service, including whether or not they have contacted the service, will remain confidential to the service.
No information will be passed to any outside organisation or individual, or to other staff or members of the RCN, without the client's specific request or explicit permission to do so. For more information about our obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018, please refer to the RCN’s Data Protection Officer (view our privacy policy).
Our solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)
eVisa guide
Coming to the UK?
Health and Care Worker visas and Immigration Health Surcharge FAQs
Online applications for visa, settlement or citizenship
Biometric Residence Permit cards (BRP)
EU Settled Status Scheme
The Windrush Scheme
Eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Preparing for IELTS, OET and OSCE exams
Language requirements
NMC requirements for Overseas Nurses
How to contact us
Call RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 or see how to contact the RCN Advice Team.
Eva's story
International Nurse resources
If you are an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) working within the UK, welcome to the RCN! Our new International Nurse Resource is packed with:
- Advice guides for overseas nursing staff and students (employment contracts, work experience, bringing your family with you, the UK Health System, etc)
- Guide to common English Expressions
- International Nursing Associations and live events especially for internationally educated nursing staff
- Case studies and videos, and much more.
You can also check out our International Member Case Studies, which showcases some of the amazing work, advocacy, and campaigning that both the RCN Immigration Advice Service and the wider RCN have been doing to support our international members.
We're here for you
