What depends on your country?
- TB test: needed if you’ve lived in a listed country recently and are coming for 6 months or more.
- English: citizens of 18 countries and territories don’t need to prove it. Everyone else needs level B2.
- Police certificate: needed for some health, education and care jobs. How you get one depends on the country.
- Health and care recruitment: UK employers in England must not actively recruit health and care staff from red-list countries.
| Country | TB test | Prove English | Visa centre | Health and care list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | No | No | Yes | Green |
| Bangladesh | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| Cameroon | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| Canada | No | No | Yes | Green |
| Egypt | No | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| Ethiopia | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| Ghana | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| India | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| Jamaica | No | No | Yes | Green |
| Kenya | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Amber |
| Malawi | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| Malaysia | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| Morocco | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| Nepal | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Amber |
| Nigeria | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| Pakistan | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| Philippines | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| South Africa | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| Sri Lanka | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| UAE | No | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| Uganda | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| USA | No | No | Yes | Green |
| Vietnam | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Green |
| Zambia | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
| Zimbabwe | Yes | Yes (B2) | Yes | Red |
“TB test” means you need one if you’ve lived in that country for 6 months or more and were living there within the last 6 months. “Prove English” depends on your nationality. Your country isn’t listed? The general guide applies, and you can check the TB list and English exemptions on GOV.UK.
Sources
- Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants (GOV.UK, updated 7 January 2015)
- Skilled Worker visa (GOV.UK, updated 31 October 2024)
- Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (GOV.UK, updated 31 January 2025)
- Find a UK visa application centre (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2024)
- Code of practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England (GOV.UK, updated 27 March 2025)
Compiled by SWC Editorial Team from the sources above. An information summary, not immigration advice.