The UK government has identified doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives as the four medical professions that may be exempt from the standard English language test when applying for the Health and Care Worker visa.

The exemption is not automatic; applicants must already have passed an English assessment recognised by the professional regulatory body that governs their field.

Kenyan nurses who have cleared the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s language test, or doctors who meet the General Medical Council’s English requirement, will not need to submit a separate test result for the visa.

Why the exemption matters for Kenyan health workers

English proficiency is normally a mandatory condition for the Health and Care Worker visa, the main route for qualified medical and care professionals from outside the UK to work for the NHS or NHS‑funded organisations.

The guidance therefore allows Kenyan health workers to rely on the English assessment already accepted by their professional regulator, removing the need for an additional visa‑specific test.

Steps Kenyan applicants should take

Prospective applicants should confirm with their respective regulatory bodies which English assessments are accepted before submitting their visa application, as the accepted tests can differ by profession.

Once the appropriate regulator‑approved assessment is verified, candidates can include that evidence in their visa file and continue with the remaining Health and Care Worker visa requirements.