Working in the UK for Filipinos — Complete Guide 2026

Health and Care Worker Visa

• For: Nurses, care workers, social workers, medical professionals
• Requirements: Job offer from CQC-registered employer, Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), English at B1 level minimum
• Visa fee: GBP 284 (discounted from GBP 719)
• IHS exemption: No Immigration Health Surcharge (saving GBP 1,035/year)
• Duration: Up to 5 years, renewable. Leads to settlement (ILR) after 5 years.
• Dependants: Spouse and children under 18 can accompany
• Minimum salary: GBP 29,000/year (or going rate for the role, whichever is higher)

Skilled Worker Visa

• For: Engineers, IT professionals, accountants, teachers, and other skilled roles
• Requirements: Job offer from licensed sponsor, role at RQF Level 3+, English at B1
• Visa fee: GBP 719 (up to 3 years) or GBP 1,420 (3+ years)
• IHS: GBP 1,035/year
• Minimum salary: GBP 38,700/year (or going rate, whichever is higher) — increased from GBP 26,200 in 2024
• Settlement: After 5 years on the route

Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work)

• For: Graduates of UK universities
• Duration: 2 years (bachelor's/master's) or 3 years (PhD)
• No sponsorship required — work in any role

The National Health Service is the UK's largest employer and the primary recruiter of Filipino healthcare workers. Over 40,000 Filipino-trained nurses work in the NHS.

NHS Pay Bands (2025-2026)

London weighting: Inner London +GBP 7,500, Outer London +GBP 5,000, Fringe +GBP 2,000. Night and weekend enhancements add 30-60% to hourly rate.

How NHS Recruitment Works for Filipinos

1. NHS Trust or recruitment agency advertises in the Philippines
2. Apply and attend interview (usually online)
3. Receive conditional offer subject to NMC registration
4. Pass IELTS (7.0 all bands) and NMC CBT exam
5. Employer sponsors your visa and arranges OSCE preparation
6. Travel to UK, complete supervised practice and OSCE
7. Receive NMC PIN and begin working as a registered nurse

Tip: Many NHS trusts in areas like Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol offer good salaries with significantly lower living costs than London. Filipino communities are well-established in these cities.

1. Year 1-5: Work on Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa
2. Year 5: Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Requirements: 5 years continuous residence, Life in the UK test (GBP 50), English at B1, no excessive absences (max 180 days per year away)
3. Year 6+: Apply for British Citizenship (naturalisation). Requirements: ILR for 12 months, Life in the UK test, good character, ceremonies. Fee: GBP 1,580.

• Population: ~130,000-180,000 Filipinos in the UK
• Largest communities: London (especially Earls Court, Kensington, Hammersmith), Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol
• Filipino shops & restaurants: Jollibee (multiple London locations), Filipino grocery stores in most major cities
• Filipino churches: Our Lady of the Rosary (London), Filipino chaplaincy groups in most dioceses
• Organisations: Philippine Embassy London, CFMW (Commission on Filipinos Overseas), Kanlungan Filipino Consortium
• Remittance: Many options — Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit, Western Union. Average remittance: GBP 200-500/month.