Physiotherapist jobs with UK visa sponsorship
What physiotherapist roles pay against the Skilled Worker going rate, and who can sponsor.
Checked against gov.uk on
The short answer
Physiotherapist jobs are paid on NHS Agenda for Change pay bands. For a Skilled Worker visa, the salary has to meet the going rate the Home Office sets from those scales for the grade of the job, and be at least £25,000 a year. Many of these jobs can also use the Health and Care Worker visa. Figures from the Home Office going-rate tables, updated 11 November 2025.
Physiotherapists help people recover movement and manage pain after injury, illness or surgery.
| Occupation (SOC code) | Going rate |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapists (2221) | NHS Agenda for Change pay bands (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), Table 4 of the Home Office tables, on gov.uk |
How many visas were granted for these occupation codes?
-
SOC 2221 Physiotherapists
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 61 Skilled Worker entry clearance visas, including Health and Care Worker visas, to main applicants applying from outside the UK for this occupation code.
Of those, 52 were Health and Care Worker visas.
The industries sponsors gave most often for these visas: Human Health and Social Work Activities (49).
The most common nationalities among them: India (12) and Nigeria (10).
| Occupation code | Jul to Sep 2025 | Oct to Dec 2025 | Jan to Mar 2026 (provisional) | Apr to Jun 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2221 | 22 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Visas applied for from outside the UK only: switches inside the UK, for example from a Student or Graduate visa, are not counted. The sponsor chooses the occupation code and the industry. A small number of grants that could not be matched to a certificate of sponsorship are not included. Figures for January to June 2026 are provisional. Source: Home Office, Sponsored work entry clearance visas by occupation and industry (SOC 2020), year ending June 2026 (published 27 August 2026). Immigration system statistics data tables.
What the rules say for physiotherapist jobs
Physiotherapist roles sit on the Home Office table of occupations paid on national pay scales, which is open to new Skilled Worker applications.
Job titles listed under 2221 include Physiotherapist, Electro-therapist and Physiotherapy practitioner.
What sponsors look for in physiotherapist hires
Physiotherapists are on the national pay scale table, so the going rate is the relevant NHS Agenda for Change band. Newly qualified physiotherapists in the NHS usually start on Band 5.
You must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. NHS trusts, private clinics and sports organisations all employ physiotherapists.
Physiotherapists who qualified outside the UK apply to the Health and Care Professions Council through its international registration route. Physiotherapist is a protected title in the UK, so registration comes before practice.
Newly qualified physiotherapists often start in rotational posts in the NHS, moving between specialties to build experience before specialising.
Rules change: always check gov.uk for the current thresholds, and when you can be paid less.
The evidence on every job in Visavi
AI VERDICT
Strong apply
Your profile fits, and the advert says they can sponsor.
UK SPONSOR REGISTER
- Organisation
- Northbank Analytics
- Town
- London
- Type and rating
- Worker (A rating)
- Route
- Skilled Worker
FROM THIS ADVERT
"We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route."
WHAT THIS MEANS
The advert says they can sponsor. Those are their words, not a promise they will sponsor you.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a physiotherapist on a Skilled Worker visa?
There is no single figure. The salary has to be at least £25,000 a year and the rate for the grade of the job on NHS Agenda for Change pay bands, as listed in the Home Office tables updated 11 November 2025, whichever is higher. Check the healthcare and education rules on gov.uk.
Which occupation code is a physiotherapist job?
The employer chooses the code from the duties of the job, not the title. Visavi maps physiotherapist roles to SOC 2221 (physiotherapists). Job titles the Home Office lists under 2221 include Physiotherapist, Electro-therapist and Physiotherapy practitioner.
Can a physiotherapist use the Health and Care Worker visa?
gov.uk lists SOC 2221 (physiotherapists) among the occupation codes for the Health and Care Worker visa. The job offer has to come from the NHS, an organisation providing medical services to the NHS, or an organisation providing adult social care. Check gov.uk for the full rules.
How many Skilled Worker visas were granted for the occupation codes physiotherapist jobs use?
In the year to June 2026, the Home Office granted 61 Skilled Worker entry clearance visas, including Health and Care Worker visas, to main applicants applying from outside the UK for SOC 2221 (physiotherapists). Of those, 52 were Health and Care Worker visas.
Sources
- Appendix Skilled Occupations (going rates) Updated 11 November 2025
- Skilled Worker visa: your job
- Skilled Worker visa: when you can be paid less
- Home Office: sponsored work visas by occupation and industry Sponsored work entry clearance visas by occupation and industry (SOC 2020), year ending June 2026, published 27 August 2026