Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession where doctors help patients regain movements and abilities when inflicted by injury, disability, or illness. The demand for physiotherapists is massive overseas, especially in the United Kingdom. Therefore, the government is consistently accepting well-qualified physiotherapist visa applications. Additionally, international students studying physiotherapy courses in top medical universities earn very well.

However, making a career as a physiotherapist in the UK is only possible if you have a valid visa. Read this blog to understand how physiotherapists can apply for work visas UK.

The Primary Requirements For Physiotherapists To Obtain A Work Visa UK:

Before you proceed to the eligibility and application process, you must satisfy these prior requirements:

• You are a qualified physiotherapist.
• Possess a confirmed employment offer from a UK-based employer in the healthcare facility.
• Your job offer is accepted and approved by the Home Office.
• Applicants must produce a 'certificate of sponsorship' from the UK employer regarding the job offered. For more information, visit the 'www.gov.uk' website. 

Barring these primary requirements, all physiotherapists must go through the HCPC Physiotherapy Registration. Let's learn more about it. 

The HCPC Physiotherapy Registration:

All physiotherapists seeking UK visa applications should register for the Health and Care Professions Council. 

• First, fill out the online HCPA form.
• Then, email this application form to shortread@hcpc-uk.org.
• If your application succeeds, you must pay the HCPA registration fees via your online HCPA account. The registration fee is 196.24 Euros. 
• Finally, your application will be confirmed and appear on your online HCPA account. 

Once registered with HCPA, you can apply for a UK work permit as a physiotherapist. So, we'll look at the documents required for the application.

What Documents Do Physiotherapists Require For A Work Visa UK?

Here is the list of all the documents physiotherapists must produce for a UK visa application:

• Physiotherapists must present the Certificate of Sponsorship. It should include their reference number, current annual salary, job title, occupation code number, name of the UK employer, and sponsor's license number.
• Proof of your English Language Proficiency.
• A passport and other identity-confirming documents prove your nationality and identity.
• Financial proof, for example, passbook details.
• Evidence of relationship with your children and spouse. 

• Some countries listed by the UK government must perform the Tuberculosis test results. You can check the list of countries at 'www.gov.uk'.
• A certificate of a clear criminal record. 

Only the listed countries must provide positive TB results for the UK job visa. So, let's understand more about this test.

What Is A Tuberculosis Test For A UK Visa?

Before applying for a UK visa, physiotherapists must get their Tuberculosis test done. This test costs 200 to 300 Euros but also varies country-wise. Once the test completes, get your X-ray done. Post this, you get a certificate for your results. 

Note: TB tests are a time-consuming process. Therefore, it is advisable to book your test appointment soon.

Police Clearance for UK Visa Application:

Along with Tuberculosis tests, a physiotherapist should not have any criminal record. Therefore, you should provide a Police Clearance certificate to get a UK job visa. The authorities take at least 14 days to issue the police clearance. It is an essential part of the UK Visa process as the UK government needs to verify the authenticity of the physiotherapists.

Once you clear this process, you must submit the Certificate of Sponsorship. Let's know more about it. 

Certificate of Sponsorship:

• Before qualifying for CoS, the physiotherapists must have passed the IELTS and TB tests and get police clearance.
• Then, provide the Employer's Job Offer and your medical licence.
• Enter all this information and pay the fees. 
• As a result, the Certificate of Sponsorship will be issued to you by your employer. 

Note: 

• The employer sends you the CoS electronically. 
• Do not tick in the Health and Care Visa box if you don't have CoS. 

So, you understood the various requirements physiotherapists must fulfil to get a UK work permit. The final step of the application is the interview. Let's know about the interview process in detail.

What Is The Interview Process?

Physiotherapists will be allowed to give an interview for the UK visa if they have selected all the applications mentioned above. During the interview, the candidates must answer the general questions honestly. 

The following are the fundamental questions that an interviewer will test:

• Your professional abilities as practitioners
• Your knowledge regarding the legal and ethical aspects as a physiotherapist
• Whether you are independent and experienced or not
• How much respect do you give to your culture
• If you believe in equality and diversity or not
• How non-discriminatory you are as a physiotherapist
• If you will maintain doctor-patient confidentiality
• Your additional achievements

Confidently answer the earlier mentioned generic questions to the HCC. Remember all the standards you know as a physiotherapist to outshine yourself in the interview. In the interview, the candidates must submit a few documents. Let's have a look at them.

Document requirements in the interview:

• Your qualification certifications
• Certificate of your professional expertise
• English language proficiency test results
• Interview fees

So, remember to carry all the necessary documents to avoid getting rejected in the UK visa application. 

You can expect the outcome in 8 to 24 weeks after completing the interview. Contact Visa Application Center if you are still waiting to receive a response. 

Conclusion

The physiotherapy occupation is widely appreciated, respected, in demand, and celebrated in the United Kingdom. In general, physiotherapists working in the UK earn a minimum of 30,000 to 40,000 Euros yearly, depending on the practice. If you work at a top-notch medical facility, you can earn up to 45,000 Euros. Therefore, submit the UK visa application if you are interested in exploring this field and trying your luck in the UK. Follow all the application steps mentioned in this article.