Arrangements for non-EEA graduates of UK medical schools entering 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 act as a sponsor for individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who have graduated from a UK medical school and who 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.
Action for employers
-
Ensure all non-EEA graduates of a UK medical school who are entering Foundation Programme training at your trust have a tier 4 visa allowing them to undertake the Foundation Programme.
-
Copy, store and record the tier 4 visa when it has been issued to the Foundation Programme trainee.
-
Any queries in relation to foundation trainees tier 4 visa should be directed to the UKFPO.
Restriction on supplementary working
Employers need to be aware that doctors and dentists entering a Foundation Programme under tier 4 are restricted to working on their Foundation Programme only and cannot undertake any supplementary work.
The UKFPO notified all NHS trusts of this restriction.
Biometric cards
As part of the immigration process, all individuals who undertake a Foundation Programme 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 work Foundation Programme if they meet the full criteria.
Medical Specialty Training
The concession arrangement that was in place for individuals applying for Medical Specialty Training in 2009 has changed. Individuals who meet the following criteria will now need to apply for their visa under the tier 1 (post-study work) category and the resident labour market test will not need to be applied.
- graduated from a UK medical school
- require a visa to study, train and work in the UK
- due to complete their F2 programme in July 2010
- need to apply for specialty training posts in round 1.
Further detail on the application process is available on the MMC site.
Applications from those completing Foundation Year 2 who have not graduated from a UK medical school are subject to the rules relating to all other overseas applicants. Applications from individuals in this category will be subject to the tier 2 regulations and will need to meet the resident labour market test rules in place at the time the advertisement was placed.
Other medical and dental posts
All other doctors and dentists requiring limited leave to remain must have or meet the requirements of:
If tier 2 is appropriate then the resident labour market test must be applied unless the post appears on the shortage occupation list.
These posts can include those with the title of trust doctor, clinical fellow, specialty doctor and consultant, amongst others. They cover all posts that do not carry an official training number allocated by the postgraduate dean.