The full-time Agenda for Change Band 3 entry point will go up to £25,760 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. This means that healthcare support professionals will be able to get foreign sponsorship because the job is on the Immigration Salary List (under SOC code 6131). The government verified this in February 2026, and it is more than the minimum salary criteria for the Health and Care Worker Visa, which is still £25,000.
What this means for businesses: This is good news since it will make it easier for many people who have had trouble transitioning from other visa pathways, such the Graduate Visa, to the Health and Care Visa route to stay in their jobs. The Home Office looks at visa wage thresholds from time to time, and they could go up in the future. Employers should make sure that current and potential employees know that the procedures for renewing or switching visas will be based on the rules that are in place when they apply. This will help them make smart choices. There is no certainty that positions that reach current thresholds will meet future thresholds.
Q: Will the wage limit get up in the future?
A. The Home Office looks at visa income limits from time to time, and they could go up in the future. We are still in close contact with the Home Office, and we will let you know about any changes as soon as they are officially announced in the Immigration Rules.
Q. What kinds of support roles can be sponsored? (Updated on March 26)
A. Healthcare support jobs in NHS pay band 3 may be eligible for sponsorship if the duties match SOC code 6131, which includes nursing aides and assistants. This SOC code is on the Immigration Salary List right now and requires at least RQF level 3 (A-Level) abilities or higher.
Q. Can Band 2 staff get sponsorship if their pay rise surpasses the minimum salary requirement?
A. No. Band 2 personnel can’t get sponsorship because the jobs don’t require the minimum skills level of RQF level 3 (A-Level or equivalent) or higher, no matter how much they make.
Q. What will happen to SOC code 6131 when the Immigration Salary List (ISL) is no longer available after December 2026?
A. The Home Office uses the ISL to find jobs that can offer certain wage and skill-related flexibilities under the Skilled Worker/Health and Care Worker Visa pathways. These flexibilities will not be the same after the ISL ends in December 2026. After December 2026, you won’t be able to apply for new jobs under SOC code 6131 (nursing aides and assistants).
The Home Office will let you know soon about any changes that will be made for personnel who are already working in SOC 6131 roles. For example, they will let you know if it will be allowed to move visas, like from a Graduate Visa to a Health and Care Visa. We will look at the data and want to talk to you about how different situations will affect things.
The job must also pay at least £25,000, which is the minimum wage for the Health and Care Worker Visa, in order to be eligible for sponsorship. Please be aware that eligibility may change in the future, such as if the wage requirement goes up or the Immigration wage List is taken down, which is planned for December 2026.