If you’re planning to move to the UK to work in a healthcare or care assistant role under the Health and Care Worker Visa, it’s important to understand the mandatory health and police checks required as part of your application process.
These checks are in place to ensure the safety of vulnerable people you will be caring for and to make sure you meet UK public health standards.
Let’s walk through what you need to know about the health and police clearance checks when applying for a UK Health and Care Visa in 2025.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test Certificate
One of the most common health checks required for visa applicants is a tuberculosis (TB) test. You’ll need this if you’re applying from a country where TB is prevalent and testing is required by the UK government.
✅ Who Needs a TB Test?
You need to take a TB test if you are applying from any of the countries listed by the UK Home Office, including:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- India
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- Bangladesh
- Kenya
- Zimbabwe
…and many more.
You can find the full list on the UK government website.
Where to Take the Test
The test must be done at a UK-approved clinic in your country. Tests from non-approved centres will not be accepted.
You’ll undergo a chest x-ray and, if needed, a sputum test. If you’re clear of TB, you’ll receive a TB clearance certificate valid for 6 months.
Required for:
- UK visa application
- Booking your visa interview
- Submission of biometric data
Common Interview Questions for UK Care Assistant Roles and How to Answer Them
2. Police Clearance Certificate (Criminal Record Check)
The UK government also requires that all healthcare visa applicants provide a police clearance certificate (also known as a criminal record certificate) from your country of residence.
This is to confirm that you do not have a criminal background, especially in offences related to children, vulnerable adults, or violence.
Who Needs It?
If you’re applying from outside the UK, you’ll need to:
- Submit a criminal record certificate from every country where you’ve lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (while aged 18 or above).
Where to Get It
- Apply through your national police or security authority
- Some countries allow online applications, others require physical forms
- In Nigeria, for example, you can get this certificate from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Nigeria Police Force
The document must:
- Be recent (within 6 months)
- Include your full name, date of birth, and photograph
- Be officially signed and stamped
Required for:
- Visa application submission
- Employer background check (especially in the care sector)
How to Get the UK Care Certificate and Boost Your Care Job Application
The TB test and police clearance certificate are essential documents when applying for the UK Health and Care Worker Visa. Without them, your visa application may be delayed or rejected.To avoid last-minute stress, get these documents early in the application process. Be sure they come from recognized sources and are in the correct format.Once you’ve passed these checks, you’re one step closer to starting your career as a healthcare worker in the UK.
