Applying to become a Visa Sponsor
If your practice is hoping to recruit a GP, you should consider applying to become a UK Visa sponsoring practice.
International medical graduates have excellent English language skills and knowledge of the NHS ways of working, but most newly qualified GPs will need Visa sponsorship if they are to continue working in GP practices. The process is straightforward and can be completed online.
Please click on the resources below to understand what practices need to do to obtain a Visa sponsorship licence from the Home Office
Resources for practices
NIMDTA can help you navigate the Visa sponsorship process. More information HERE. You can also find a list of practices that currently hold a Visa sponsorship licence on the NIMDTA website.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a Visa Sponsor (presentation shared in the webinar provided by NIMDTA November 2022)
https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa - General information on the Government website.
Find out how to work out and make PAYE deductions for employees who come to work in the UK HERE
In the webinar (video below) you can hear from practice managers in Northern Ireland about their experience of the process and learn some of their “top tips” for completing the application.
How to become a Visa Sponsoring Practice and improve your workforce recruitment options
Applying for a Health & Care Visa
From 1 January 2021, all EEA nationals (except Irish citizens) and international doctors require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK. This visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer and has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. You can find general information on this goverment website.
https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa
To apply to train as a GP in Northern Ireland
You will find specific information on the NIMDTA website - IMMIGRATION
You can also read about career opportunities for those needing a Visa Sponsor on completion of training HERE
The government announced in July 2023 a change to the options available for those due to CCT.
Doctors due to CCT from GP specialty training can now apply for a 4 month extension to their Visa. This allows them time to find a suitable sponsor and they can locum during that period.
To work as a GP in Northern Ireland
If your qualifications allow you to join the GMC GP Register (Check if you are eligible here), you require a specific Health and Care Visa. To qualify for this type of visa, you must:
be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
work in an eligible health or social care job
work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ (C0S) from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do
Your employer who becomes your sponsor must have checked that:
you are appropriately qualified
appropriately experienced
have a good level of English
you can do the job
A certificate of sponsorship (CoS) is an electronic record and holds your personal details and information about the job you’ve been offered. Your sponsor (your employer or deanery) will give you a certificate of sponsorship reference number to add to your visa application. Your sponsor must also give you some other information to help you to apply, such as how much you will be paid.
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship. As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application. Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
The maximum length of stay for this type of visa is 5 years and 14 days or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus one month. Your visa is attached to your job - if you leave or lose your job, you won't be able to stay in the UK. If you choose to leave the UK, you will have to wait 12 months before you can return on a skilled worker visa. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.
You will find additional information on the BMA website
You cn view the range of job options available HERE