UK work visas for overseas dentists
Qualified dentists remain eligible for sponsored work visas in the UK. There is a lot of worry about recent immigration changes, so this guide sets out where qualified dentists actually stand, the two main routes, and the point many candidates miss: you often need a visa simply to travel here and sit the exams.
Where qualified dentists stand
Qualified dentists still qualify for sponsored work visas because the role sits at RQF level 6 or above. The immigration changes that took effect on 22 July 2025 removed dental nurses, hygienists, therapists and technicians from Skilled Worker eligibility, but they did not remove qualified dentists.
In short, if you are registering as a dentist, the main sponsored routes are still open to you.
The two main routes
Skilled Worker visa
The main sponsored route
For a job with a Home Office licensed sponsor. You need a Certificate of Sponsorship, a salary that meets the threshold, and English at the required level.
Health and Care Worker visa
A lower-fee route
A version of the Skilled Worker visa for eligible health roles. It has lower application fees and is exempt from the immigration health surcharge.
What both routes require
- A job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor
- A Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer
- A salary that meets the threshold for the route
- English at the required level
Timing
The Home Office aims to decide on an application within about three weeks once you have applied from outside the UK. You can apply up to three months before the start date of your job, so build that window into your plans.
Lower fees on the health route
The Health and Care Worker visa carries lower application fees than the standard Skilled Worker visa and is exempt from the immigration health surcharge, which can be a large saving.
The visa you need just to sit the exam
This is the part many candidates overlook. The exams are sat in the UK, so a lot of overseas dentists need a visa simply to travel here and take them, well before any question of a work visa arises. Factor the cost and timing of getting to the UK into your plan, not just the cost of the exam itself.
Check the current rules on gov.uk
Visa rules, salary thresholds and fees change regularly, and the detail depends on your circumstances. Always confirm the current requirements on the official gov.uk pages before you apply.
Be first in line when your course goes live
Most of our courses are still in build. Tell us which exam you are preparing for and we will email you the moment it opens, along with early-access offers before anyone else.
- No payment now, just your details
- A friendly heads-up the day your course launches
- Early-bird pricing for people who register first
Register your interest
It takes less than a minute.