Page 1 of 2: The UK Visa hurdle - an Introduction

MunishLapsia · Credits: 9000 My Scrapbook

This would be a good guide for those seeking to move to UK... the article covers all the basic information required.

Source: BMJ Career Focus 2005; 331:127
Author Dr Asha Reddy

To enter - the UK Visit Visa
Overseas doctors require a visa to enter and work in the UK. The UK visas website

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gives detailed information about the various categories of visa. Most doctors enter the UK on a PLAB visit visa.
If these doctors fail to obtain a job within the first six months, an extension of leave to remain is necessary. Every personal application now costs £500 ($876; 728). It is up to the discretion of the Home Office to decide about the extension and its duration. In many instances, a visa is granted for just a month or a couple of weeks.
Doctors with visitor status are prohibited from taking employment. A visitor visa allows entry to the UK to take the PLAB test or any other exam and to do clinical attachments.

On obtaining the first job
Overseas doctors need permit free training (PFT) or a work permit. Application forms are available at

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PFT is a provision under the immigration rules whereby overseas doctors are given leave to enter the UK without the need for a work permit to pursue postgraduate training. Training posts are therefore not eligible for work permits. Leave to remain on PFT is granted in line with the period of appointment offered. In practice, this means a doctor would generally have to go through all the visa formalities and the associated expenses every six months, or more frequently. Charges for applications incurred by the doctor seeking PFT are £500.
Postgraduate deans advise the Home Office if a doctor in training can have an extension of PFT. The dean generally cannot recommend an extension of PFT for non-training appointments. Doctors who qualify for higher specialist training and hold specialist registrar (SpR) grade posts get an initial grant of PFT time not exceeding three years and provision for further extensions of stay, each not exceeding three years depending on their training requirements. More often than not, this process is an ordeal.
If doctors are unable to obtain a training post they are forced to move to non-training posts, necessitating a change in visa status, which in turn means another £500.

Work Permit
A work permit is necessary to do non-training posts. Interestingly, the employee pays for the visa, although by definition of work permit, the employer should bear all costs. The cost of each personal application for this visa is again £500. There is no guaranteed time within which the permit is given. There are instances when many have lost jobs owing to the extremely stringent rules on work permits.
A work permit is specific to a particular post and cannot be transferred if a doctor obtains another job before it expires. Overseas doctors who have been on a work permit for four years can apply for settlement in the UK.

Highly Skilled Migrant Programme
The HSMP allows highly skilled people to migrate to the UK to look for work. The HSMP is different from the work permit scheme because there is no need for a specific job offer in the UK to apply. It can be applied for from abroad or from the UK. Visitors to the UK on temporary admission or without permission cannot apply. Doctors in both training and non-training jobs are eligible for the HSMP visa.
This is a points based immigration scheme which depends on educational qualifications, work experience, past earnings, achievements, and spouse's or unmarried partner's achievements. The charges are £335 for the HSMP approval and another £500 for the visa.
At first, permission to stay in the UK for a year is given to seek employment. After a year, an overseas doctor can apply to stay for longer if economically active. After four years an application for permanent residence can be made.

bindasnikhilg · Credits: 44921 My Scrapbook

one doubt,are we as docs allowed to apply for the holiday cum work visa,if yes then is it a problem to get it extended after 2yrs after whch it expires,just wanted to know if u have any idea bout it

MunishLapsia · Credits: 9000 My Scrapbook

Doctors have been coming here on the Working Holidaymakers scheme.
It sounds quite good to me.

But you can only work for a year on that visa.

I know doctors who have made a trip to their home countries for getting the PFT or work permit after the expiry of the working holidaymaker scheme.

Hope this helps.

bindasnikhilg · Credits: 44921 My Scrapbook

ok that sounds nice.

so u mean to say tehy take the visa,work in diff places till they get a sho post,then on same visa get into a hospital n after the visa expires they get thier visa changed at india.correct me if m wrong.

few doubts arise-

when they apply for the holiday work visa,do they diclare they are docs by profession?

what if they work in odd jobs for 6mnths n tehn land up with a sho/f2 course can they at that stage come back to india n change their visa before the 2 yrs period expires?

MunishLapsia · Credits: 9000 My Scrapbook

The HSMP is getting very popular among the Overseas Doctors. It's something one must consider... esp if you are eligible.

MunishLapsia · Credits: 9000 My Scrapbook

The PFT would soon be abolished.

Clinical attachment visa would now be extended only for 6 weeks at a time for a maximum of 6 months.

HSMP seems to be the only answer... esp if you are eligible.

Nevertheless there is this option of Working Holidaymaker scheme which is worth considering.

DoCooL · Credits: 2141 My Scrapbook

DEar Munish
a few doubts
if on the holiday cum work visa , can we take up some other jobs and look and get a suitable sho/f2?
is it a 1 or 2 yr visa?
and are we or should we declare we are a docotr?
this visa has to be applied from abroad right?

The HSMP would not requie the work permit but can it be gained for a non med job then on it can we look and get a suitable sho/F2 job?
Do they readily give theHSMP programme
and what is the status of HSMP would he be equal to uk/EU fro employment purposes????

thanks

MunishLapsia · Credits: 9000 My Scrapbook

Working holidaymaker visa is for 2 years and you can take up any job while on it. But you can only work for a maximum period of 12 months. So it is suitable for those seeking to take PLAB part 2 and do clinical attachments initially and later seeking a job.
It is unadvisable to hold back information. You will have to declare your qualification.
Nationals of many countries are eligible for this scheme.

HSMP is based on the points system. People with HSMP would have the right to live and work in the UK... but that would not change their country of primary medical qualification.

Dear DoCool I also suggest you browse the related websites.

Hope this helps.

DoCooL · Credits: 2141 My Scrapbook

Dear Munish
i ahve looke dupo the websites and ther are stills doubts and woudl appreciate if u could help me solve them,
its more or so about issues realted to HSMP
can it be gained for a non med job then on it can we look and get a suitable sho/F2 job?
what happens when someone on an HSMP becomes a PR, woudl he now be a UK citizen and therefore be considered eual to a UK citizen ?
at the moment it seems that HSMp would be the 3rd option fro recruitment after uk and EU and i fear that there may be changes in line for the hsmp prg too.
what do u think?

MunishLapsia · Credits: 9000 My Scrapbook

If one obtains the HSMP eligiblty calculated on the points based system... he can do any job... any.

While on HSMP the person would be treated on par with any and everybody who has the right to live and work in the UK.

After 5 years of HSMP one obtains the PR... the UK citizenship then follows.

For job applications the person would be considered equal to a UK citizen who has graduated overseas.... but would still come second to a UK/EEA graduate.

One cannot predict changes in the HSMP scheme.

Hope this helps.

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