Foundation programme training
Specialty training
Other medical and dental posts
Foundation programme training
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has formally approved the UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO) as a sponsor under Tier 4 of the points-based system. The UKFPO will sponsor individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who have graduated from a UK medical school, require a Tier 4 visa and are starting their foundation programme training.
The UKFPO visa sponsorship letter will include a statement on behalf of the postgraduate deans confirming that the applicant has been offered a foundation programme post recognised by the medical community. This means that postgraduate deaneries are no longer required to provide this letter separately for these graduates.
Employers should ensure that all non-EEA graduates of a UK medical school entering foundation programme training have the appropriate Tier 4 visa and are also advised to copy, store and record the visa details.
Employers are also reminded that doctors and dentists entering a foundation programme under Tier 4 can only work on their Foundation Programme and cannot undertake any supplementary work.
All individuals who undertake foundation programme training under Tier 4 are issued with a biometric card which will include the statement ‘Restricted work in term time’. The Tier 4 (general) student immigration rules (Requirements for entry clearance) section 245ZV (i) allows a postgraduate doctor or dentist to undertake a recognised foundation programme if they meet the full criteria.
Any enquiries on the above should be directed to the UKFPO.
Specialty training
Tier 2 transfers from April 2012
In April 2012 the UK Border Agency will close the Tier 1 (Post Study Work) immigration route. This route has previously been used by non-UK and non-EEA doctors who have graduated from a UK medical or dental school and have successfully completed their Foundation Programme. This advice is for doctors applying for entry to programmes starting after 1 April 2012:
You are eligible to be considered for specialty training (including GP training) in both round 1 and round 2 if:
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you are a UK or EEA national
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you are a non-UK/EEA national and your immigration status allows you to work without restriction in the UK. For example, if you have Tier 1 or dependant status, and no restriction against working as a doctor or dentist in training
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you are a non-UK/EEA national who has graduated from a UK medical or dental school; and
You will need to apply for Tier 2 sponsorship, but you will be exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) in this instance.
You are eligible to apply for core and specialty training in round 2 if you are a non-UK/EEA national who has limited leave to remain in the UK and do not fall into one of the above categories. You will require Tier 2 sponsorship and will be subject to the RLMT.
Applicants who are subject to the RLMT may only be considered if there is no suitable UK or EEA national candidate for the post. As the RLMT will not have been satisfied in round 1 of the recruitment to specialty training, you should consider applying during round 2 if the RLMT applies to you.
Evidence of immigration status should normally consist of a biometric residence card, date stamped passport, and accompanying letter from the Home Office.
Please visit the UK Border Agency website for more information.
Other medical and dental posts
All other doctors and dentists requiring 'limited leave to remain' must meet the requirements of Tier 2. Employers must apply the resident labour market test unless the post appears on the shortage occupation list.
These posts can include those with the title of trust doctor, clinical fellow, specialty doctor, consultant, amongst others. They cover all posts that do not carry an official training number allocated by the postgraduate dean.