Once you have received a job offer to work in the NHS, Hong Kong doctors have two options to choose from when applying for a visa: the British National Overseas (BNO) visa or the Tier 2 Skilled Worker visa for health and care workers.  The two visas have different criteria, requirements and merits, and which is best for any doctor will depend on the individual’s circumstances.  To help you better understand which visa is best suited to Hong Kong doctors relocating to the UK, we’ve put together this blog which will touch on the following questions:  What is a BNO Visa? What is a Tier 2 Health & Care Worker Visa? What are the differences between the two visas? Which visa is better for me as a Hong Kong doctor? I am relocating with family, which visa do they need? What is the application process for the BNO visa? What is the application process for the Tier 2 Health & Care Worker Visa? #IMG Tips I have completed my visa application, what’s next? Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you’re looking for.  British National (Overseas) Visa  If you’re from Hong Kong and are a British national (overseas), you and your family members can apply for a British National (Overseas) visa, also known as a BNO visa. It allows you to live, work and study in the UK and was launched by the UK Home Office in 2021.   Within the BNO visa, there are two broad ‘routes’ which have the same general conditions but cater to two different groups of people:  BNO Status Holder route – for BNOs and their dependent partners or minor children. Other adult family members with a high degree of dependency may also apply under this route.  BNO Household Member route – for BNO citizens’ adult children (born on or after 1 July 1997) and the adult child’s dependent partner and minor children. All applicants must form part of the same household as the BNO citizen (i.e. normally live together) and be applying alongside the BNO family member.  Tier 2 Skilled Worker Visa (Health & Care)  A Tier 2 visa is what allows overseas health and care workers to live, and work in the UK. Similarly to the BNO visa, it is provided by the Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License.  The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.   It is safe to assume that the NHS trust you are applying to has a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship licence and that your IMG Consultant will have already checked this for you.  The Tier 2 visa allows you to work in the UK for the duration of your sponsorship period.   You can also bring over certain family members with you on a Tier 2 Dependent visa.  For a detailed overview of the Tier 2 Health & Care Worker Visa, see our blog here.  BNO Visa vs Tier 2 Visa  The BNO or Tier 2 visa essentially serve the same purpose for Hong Kong doctors, but they have some differences and similarities which are important to understand in order to make an informed decision between the two.  The main characteristics of the two visas are summarised below:   Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)  Some of the most significant differences between the two visas is that on the BNO visa, you and your dependents must pay the IHS, whereas the IHS is no longer applicable to doctors on the Tier 2 visa.  You can claim this back every 6 months, but processing can take up to 6 weeks, and you may be doing this several times throughout the duration of your visa. You can read more about this here.  Police Check or Certificate of No Criminal Convictions (CNCC)  For the Tier 2 visa, you are required to produce a CNCC by the Home Office, whereas it is not required for the BNO visa, but it is very likely that you will be asked by the Trust to provide one.  Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)  On the Tier 2 visa, you will require a CoS, which is a digital reference number from a Certified Sponsor (your NHS Trust) which you will need to complete your visa application.  With the BNO visa, you do not need a CoS because this visa isn’t dependent on a job offer.  Dependents  The criteria for dependents are stricter with the Tier 2 visa than the BNO visa.  On the Tier 2 visa, the only people defined as dependents are your partner, children under 18 and children over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependent, whereas the BNO visa has greater allowances for children over 18 and family members dependent on you because of illness, disability or age.  BNO or Tier 2 Visa for HK Doctors  Whether the BNO or Tier 2 visa is better is entirely dependent on the particular circumstances of each doctor, but options are entirely suitable for doctors relocating from Hong Kong to the UK.  As mentioned above, some of these deciding factors may be the eligibility criteria, any dependents you may have, or your rights once you are in the UK on that visa.  We know that securing a BNO visa in Hong Kong can be quite a challenge at present, so if you think that the Health & Care Visa is a more feasible or easier option for you, don’t hesitate to connect with us to discuss your options.  Visas for Families  If you are relocating to the UK with family, each member of your family will need to apply for a visa alongside you.  BNO Visa  For doctors travelling on the BNO visa, you will be able to have your family apply as ‘dependents’.  This can include your:   husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner  child or grandchild under 18  child 18 or older, born on or after 1 July 1997 (and their partner or child under 18)  parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter (18 or older) if they live with you and they’re dependent on you because of illness, disability or their age  When you apply, you will need to provide evidence of your relationship with these family members and that you normally live together.  As a British national (overseas), you’ll need to submit your application first to get an application number. This is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). Your family members must use your application number when they apply.  Your family members will need to apply for a BNO visa with the same duration as yours (i.e. 2 years and 6 months or 5 years) and will be able to extend their visa if you apply to extend yours.  Adult dependent relatives will need to use your extension reference number, whilst other family members can apply separately from you.  The cost of your family’s BNO visa will be the same as yours - £180 or £250 (per person).  Tier 2 Visa  For doctors with a Tier 2 visa, your family will need a dependent visa to live with you in the UK. They will need to complete separate applications.  Your family members can apply for a dependent visa if they are your:  husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner  child under 18 (including if they were born in the UK during your stay)  child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependent  When you apply, you will need to provide evidence of your relationship with these family members and that you normally live together.  There can be a range of factors that will affect a family member’s eligibility for the Dependent visa, so we recommend you check here for full details.  Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.  Once you have completed your own application for the Tier 2 visa, they’ll also will need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.  As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.  The cost of your family’s Dependent visa will be the same as yours – either £232 or £464 (per person).  BNO Visa Application Process  It is important to check what documents you will need before you begin your application.  As part of your online application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on what type of passport you have. You’ll either:  BNO visa applications can be completed from within the UK or outside the UK, but in either instance, the application is completed online, and the process is as follows:  Compile your details and scan all required documents before starting. You can find the full list of required documents here.  Start the application  Create a UK Visas and Immigration account  Pay the visa fee   Further actions will be prompted:  Download document check list - A helpful checklist to ensure you submit everything that is needed (we strongly recommend you use this to ensure nothing is missed).  Provide documents and biometric details - At this stage, you will need to download the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your passport with a biometric chip and upload a photo of yourself*. You can choose this option if you have a British National (Overseas) passport, a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or a passport from an EEA country.  Making an appointment with your local visa application centre – If you do not hold a passport with a biometric chip, you can go to an appointment at a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and a photo - this is to get a biometric residence permit (BRP).  Selecting location for BRP pick up in UK – If you have applied for a BRP, you will have 30 days from your date of arrival in the UK to retrieve this from a post office, so think carefully about the location you choose in the UK. Once you’ve chosen, you will be sent a BRP collection letter which you should print and take to the post office to retrieve your BRP.  Submit your completed application  *If you choose not to apply for a BRP and your visa application is approved, you will be given a link to generate a code to share when necessary. This may be people concerned with your relocation such as your employer or landlord, and they will be able to use the code to check your status on the gov.uk website.  You can find the online application form here and you’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Your IMG Consultant will also be able to assist you with the application.  Application Review  Once you’ve applied, you can expect to receive a decision within 12 weeks, though your application may take longer to process if you need to provide more evidence.  Please note, you can apply for the BNO visa from overseas, but you should wait for a decision on your application before you travel to the UK.  Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) Visa Application Process  Like the BNO visa, we always advise that you check what documents you will need before you begin your application.  Once you have accepted a job offer and pre-employment checks are complete, the hospital will apply for a CoS from the UK Home Office.  Health and Care Visa applications are complete online, and the process is as follows:  Compile your details and scan all required documents before starting. You can find the full list of required documents here.  Start and complete the application - Once you have entered all your details, the application service will offer an appointment at a local visa appointment centre near you.  Pay the visa fee   Further actions will be prompted:  Download document check list - A helpful checklist to ensure you submit everything that is needed (we strongly recommend you use this to ensure nothing is missed).  Provide documents and biometric details - At this stage, you can upload electronic copies of your documents.  Making an appointment with your local visa application centre - Once you have made an appointment you will receive your appointment confirmation letter via email. Make note of the details and print this confirmation to take with you to the appointment.  Selecting location for Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) pick up in UK - You will have 30 days from your date of arrival in the UK to retrieve your BRP from a post office, so think carefully about the location you choose in the UK. Once you’ve chosen, you will be sent a BRP collection letter which you should print and take to the post office to retrieve your BRP.  Submit your completed application  Application Review  Once you’ve completed all the above steps your application will be processed for review, and you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:  4 weeks, if you’re outside the UK  8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK  Every application is different however, so your application may take longer to process if you need to provide more evidence.  You may be able to pay to get a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.   #IMG Tips  Take time to choose best visa for you – speak to your IMG Consultant to discuss your options and circumstances to decide the best visa for you.  Gather and scan all documents early – go through the relevant checklist and read the guidance provided to stay on top of your application and minimise any delays  Think about the start date you want written on your CoS – if you will be applying for the Skilled Worker visa, think carefully about what date you want written on your CoS (it is only valid for 90 days)  Have your application checked before submitting – your IMG Consultant will be more than happy to double check your visa application before it’s submitted – take advantage, we’re here to help!  Apply for the CNCC early – you will almost certainly need a CNCC regardless of which visa you choose, so apply for this early to speed up the process.  My visa application is complete, what’s next?  First things first, congratulations! You are just a few steps away from completing your journey to the UK and can now firm up your relocation plans, putting into action your relocation checklist.   With your application under review, you should begin discussing your relocation plans with your IMG Consultant. This includes accommodation and travel, schooling, banking and any other questions you might have – our relocation team is happy to help!  Don’t forget, once your application is being processed, you can track its progress online.  Getting started  Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss job options in the NHS, from the typical doctor salary in the UK to the most suitable hospital locations for you.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to get in touch with our team.   For advice, guidance and news and updates for IMGs, join the conversation through the links below.               Sources  https://www.gov.uk/british-national-overseas-bno-visa  https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8939/  https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa  https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa  https://www.gov.uk/apply-immigration-health-surcharge-refund/healthcare-setting

The confirmation of maintenance is an essential part of your Tier 2 UK visa application. Your Tier 2 visa application will be immediately rejected without a confirmation of maintenance, here we'll take a close look at its purpose, how to get one from your employer and what happens if you can't. What is the Confirmation of Maintenance?  The Confirmation of Maintenance can also be known as an NHS Letter of Maintenance. It is a confirmation from your sponsor that they will maintain and accommodate you, if necessary, for your first month of employment.  Usually this is confirmed on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) along with evidence of prospective earnings. Please note, a letter from your hospital certifying maintenance is not an acceptable method of certification. What is the purpose?  The certification is used to ensure that you and any dependents joining are able to support themselves without recourse to public funds. Will my hospital offer maintenance? Most Tier 2 sponsors guarantee their prospective employees’ maintenance by stating on the CoS they will cover the applicant’s maintenance and accommodation costs for the first month of employment in the UK. Only ‘A-rated’ sponsors have this option which covers the vast majority of employers with Tier 2 sponsorship licenses. What if my trust will not guarantee maintenance? This is unusual but not unheard of. If the Trust will not guarantee maintenance, then you must prove that you have personal savings of at least £945 continuously for a 90-day period, no more than 31 days prior to the date of your application. This would be included as part of your Tier 2 visa application. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.

As part of the Tier 2 visa application process you may need a Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate.... In this short article we take a quick look at who will require a TB Test Clearance Certificate, what the process will be and what to do once you have received yours. Do I need the Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate? You will need to have a tuberculosis test if you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months and are a resident in any of these listed countries. What is the process? It is important to note that if you require one, you will need to arrange an X-Ray testing for TB at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office. This can be checked using the same link above.  If the result of the x-ray is not clear, you may have to give a sputum sample (phlegm coughed up from your lungs). If the test shows you do not have TB, you’ll be given a certificate which is valid for 6 months from the date of your x-ray.  Who does not need to be tested? You will not need a TB test if any of the following apply: You’re a returning UK resident and have not been away for more than 2 years OR You lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you’ve been away from that country for no more than 6 months How are children tested? All children must see a clinician who’ll decide if they need a chest x-ray. Children under 11 will not normally have a chest x-ray. You must take your child to an approved clinic and complete a health questionnaire.  If the clinician decides your child does not have TB, they’ll give you a certificate. Include this certificate with your child’s UK visa application. Once I have my clearance certificate what should I do? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your IMG Consultant with any further questions on UK visas and immigration including certificates of sponsorship, letters of maintenance, criminal record checks and tier 2 visa applications. For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

Arranging your own UK visa and immigration as an overseas doctor can be challenging. In this series of articles we offer a helping hand with Tier 2 visas, navigating UK visa requirements, guidance on certificates of sponsorship and point scoring systems. In this article we focus on the Tier 2 Health & Care Worker visa application process and the documents you will need, looking specifically at the following: What is a Tier 2 Health & Care Worker Visa? What is the application process? Online application form – the process Online application form - documents & information needed Certificate of Sponsorship Cover letter for your application Evidence of your knowledge of English  Criminal records certificate Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate  Letter of maintenance & other documents Appointment at your local visa application centre How much will this cost me? Tracking your visa application Your visa application was successful, what next? What is a Tier 2 Health & Care Worker Visa? First of all, congratulations! If you’re looking to apply for a Tier 2 H&C visa, then the chances are you have interviewed successfully and accepted a job offer from an NHS Trust. A Tier 2 visa is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License.  The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.  It is safe to assume that the NHS trust you are applying to has a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship license and that your IMG Consultant will have already checked this for you. A Tier 2 H&C visa will allow an overseas doctor to enter and work in the UK for an initial period of 5 years and 14 days. Alternatively, you can stay for the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 1 month. What is the application process? Once you have accepted a job offer the hospital will immediately apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the UK Home Office.  Once the trust assigns the CoS to your name, you will then need to carry out the visa application process with two stages to consider: the online application form attending an appointment at your local visa application centre It is worth noting that if you have applied for a visitor visa prior to this (possibly for the PLAB 2 exam) the process is very similar. The online application form – the process: Before beginning your application, we always advise compiling your details and scanning your documents (as outlined below). This will help avoid delays once you have started the application. Applications are complete online and the process is as follows: As above, compile your details and documents. Scan all documents from the list below before starting. Start and complete the application - Once you have entered all of your details, the application service will offer an appointment at a local visa appointment centre near you. Pay the visa fee Further actions will be prompted: Download document check list - A helpful checklist to ensure you submit everything that is needed. We strongly recommend you use this to ensure nothing is missed. Provide documents and biometric details - At this stage, you can upload electronic copies of your documents. Making an appointment with your local visa application centre - Once you have made an appointment you will receive an email with your appointment confirmation letter. Make note of the details and print this confirmation to take with you to the appointment. Selecting location for Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) pick up in UK - Think carefully about where you will be able to pick this up in the UK. You will have 30 days from your date of arrival in the UK to retrieve this from the post office you have selected. Once you have chosen, you will be sent a BRP collection letter. Print this and bring it with you to the post office to retrieve your biometric residence permit. A good idea is to choose a Post Office close to the hospital so you can easily collect it once relocated to the UK. Submit your complete application Once all of the steps above have been completed your online visa application will be processed for review. Please remember, if you are inactive for 25 minutes you will be automatically logged out. The online application form - documents & information needed: The application process will require you to provide both a large amount of information and submit a number of documents: Information that you will be expected to provide includes: Personal details and family information Travel and national identity details Employment details Expected spend for your initial months in the UK Accommodation details Previous visa refusals Criminal convictions Documents that you need to upload electronically: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) - As of June 2018, all doctors and nurses can be automatically allocated an Unrestricted CoS. You can find more information regarding the CoS here. Cover letter for your application Evidence of your knowledge of English  IELTS for UKVI, OET or UK NARIC are valid. See our blog series on English Language Testing (including OET and IELTS) here. Criminal Records Certificate See our article on the process of applying for your Criminal Records Certificate here. Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate (if from any of the listed countries) See our article on how to obtain your Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate here. Confirmation of maintenance (if available) Usually this is provided by the Trust as your sponsor, however in some circumstances this is not provided. See here for more information on a confirmation of maintenance. Other documents Certificate of full registration with the GMC Certificate of full registration as a medical practitioner in your home country Primary Medical Qualification Diploma Tenancy agreement or accommodation details of any previous stays in the UK (if applicable)  Any previous/expired passports from the last 10 years Current passport details Evidence you can travel and travel history over the last five years  Appointment at your local visa application centre: As part of your online application you will have made an appointment with a local visa application centre.  You can make sure there is an appointment centre accessible to you by using this link. Please note, there is also an ‘On Demand Mobile Visa’ service available that can come directly to you and avoid the necessity of attending an appointment at an application centre. Check using the link above.  At this appointment you will need to:  bring your passport confirm your ID  have your fingertips and photograph taken for a biometric residence permit It is important to check if the Visa Application Centre requires you to provide photocopies or originals of all your documents.  Make sure you bring all documents outlined in your confirmation email to your appointment with the visa application centre. If you do not bring all the requested documents your application will not be finalised and you will need to re-book. How much will this cost me? Up to 3 years More than 3 years Who’s applying Who's applying Yourself £247 Yourself £479 All dependents £247 per person All dependents £479 per person   Tracking your visa application: Once your visa application is being processed you can track its progress online. Once my visa application is successful, what happens next? First things first, congratulations! You are just a few steps away from completing your journey to the UK and can now firm up your relocation plans, putting into action your relocation checklist.  Once your application is underway you should begin discussing with your IMG Consultant UK relocation plans including accommodation and travel, bank accounts, schooling and any other questions you might have. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

There are several routes an overseas histopathologist can take to GMC registration & practicing anatomic pathology in the NHS. All pathologists looking to secure a job in the NHS, whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council before they can practice in the NHS. As a histopathologist, the criteria you need to meet depends on where you trained, and what qualifications you hold. This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live. We’ll be covering the following:  How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as an EEA histopathologist? How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as a non-EEA histopathologist? How can I demonstrate my English language skills? What is a certificate of good standing and how do I get one? What do I need to register with the GMC? Will I need a visa to work in the UK? Evidence of knowledge and skills for EEA histopathologists For histopathologists who trained in an EEA country (all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland & Norway), there are a number of different options potentially available to you.  Depending on the country and year you completed your residency or basic medical training, the GMC may automatically recognise your qualifications and grant you either General Registration, or Specialist Registration in the UK. To find out if your country’s qualifications will allow you to register for either general or specialist registration, check the relevant GMC page here.  Basic Medical Training: If you have met the basic medical training requirements, this would mean that you would not need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK and would not need to complete a UK- recognised postgraduate qualification or PLAB to register with a license to practice. You would be granted full registration in this case, but not Specialist Registration.   Specialist Training / Residency: If you have met the criteria listed for your country then you once you completed your GMC application process you would be granted Specialist Registration in your Specialty and can be appointed as a substantive or permanent consultant in the NHS. So as a pathologist, if you hold a Relevent European Specialist qualification then you would be on the specialist register for histopathology, and can be appointed as a substantive histopathologist in the NHS. So, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS.  As a European histopathologist, this is in most cases the easiest route to becoming GMC-registered and being able to practice in the UK.  If you do not meet the GMC requirements for your training to be approved for full or specialist registration, other routes you may consider to GMC registration include PLAB or (via the postgraduate route) the Royal College exams for Histopathology (FRCPath). You can find out more about these alternative routes here.  Evidence of knowledge and skills for non-EEA histopathologists  If you qualified as a histopathologist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge and skills AND English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.   Histopathologists who've trained from outside the UK and EEA must demonstrate to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For histopathologists this can be done through one of three main routes:  Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in pathology specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine. That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, pathologists can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS. Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB. Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists Royal College Qualification of FRCPath: Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. pathology. For senior pathologists taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice. The Royal College of Pathologists is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of Pathology in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) is the full qualification attainable by examination. For overseas doctors, attaining FRCPath will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK Pathology. Take a look at our complete guides on Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists as per your sub-specialty to understand more. GMC recognised or equivalent qualifications Some overseas qualifications and licensing exams are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This is to say these qualifications or licensing exams are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.   To find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC, take a look at our blog: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications. English Language Testing  Both EEA and non-EEA histopathologists, regardless of experience, and country of origin, must demonstrate that they have a sufficient grasp and competence of the English language. This can be done by passing either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:  IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors OET – a guide for overseas doctors Experience in English-speaking countries  For doctors who have at least two years of their most current experience in an English-speaking country, you can use a reference from your current employer or employers over these two or more years to demonstrate competence of the English language. This would exempt you from sitting an English language exam.  Certificate of Good Standing  All doctors registering with the GMC must provide a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority they’ve been registered or licensed with in the last five years.   The medical regulatory authority may send you a certificate of past good standing if you're not currently registered or licensed with them. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact via the GMC website here.  Please note that each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it's signed and must be valid when we approve your application.  If there's no medical regulatory authority in the country to issue a certificate, the GMC will give you further advice once your application has been assessed.  GMC Registration  Once you’ve completed your English language exam, you can now apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. For registration, you must provide evidence of:  English language capabilities - either your IELTS, OET or an approved reference from your current employer (if you have been working in an English-speaking country for the last two years).  AND  Certificate of good standing – the certificate from your medical regulatory authority which demonstrates good standing.   AND  (EEA pathologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as an EEA pathologist, this would either be your recognised EEA qualification.  OR  (Non-EEA pathologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as a non-EEA pathologist, this would either be PLAB, FRCPath or a GMC-approved qualification.  To understand the registration process more fully, read our blog on GMC registration for overseas doctors here.  Visas  If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.  A Tier 2 visa is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License. The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.  Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa - how do I apply and what's the process? Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa below: Tier 2 Dependent visa - Can I bring my family with me to the UK? For pathologists looking to come to the UK to work in the NHS, GMC registration and specialist registration is a crucial part of the process. Therefore, it’s important to put together a good application to present to the GMC, and IMG Connect are here to help with this. Whether it’s deciding the best options for demonstrating your skills and knowledge in histopathology, or sourcing the best English Language courses and resources, take advantage of the benefits of having a pathology recruitment specialist working with you and proving you with the best guidance and support to fit your career needs.  For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things pathology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

As an overseas doctor, arranging both a Tier 2 visa and dependent visa can be challenging. If you are intending to relocate with dependents you may be concerned as to whether you can bring your family with you, and at what stage this is possible? In this blog we outline the UK legislation rules in relation to your entry on a Tier 2 Visa, considering the following: Tier 2 Dependant Visa Who qualifies as a Tier 2 Dependent? Evidence of Personal Savings Required Documents for a Tier 2 Dependent visa Can dependants work on a Tier 2 Dependent Visa?  Can you extend the Tier 2 Dependent Visa?  What are you permitted to do with a Tier 2 Dependent Visa? What are you not permitted to do with a Tier 2 Dependent Visa? How much will this cost me? Once the visa application is successful, what happens next? Tier 2 Dependant Visa: Firstly, it is important to revisit the Tier 2 Visa briefly, as this is the most likely route to the UK for IMGs. The Tier 2 General visa is a UK work visa issued to highly skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland. As a holder of Tier 2 General Visa, you will be permitted to bring dependents to the UK on a Tier 2 Dependent Visa. It can be used when applying for or already holding a Tier 2 visa. Who qualifies as a Tier 2 Dependent? Doctors residing in the UK under the Tier 2 Visa, or applying for a Tier 2 visa, are allowed to bring their dependents to the UK. There is a narrow list of who qualifies as a Tier 2 dependent, and is as follows: Spouse Unmarried or same-sex partner Children aged under 18 at the time of application Child over 18, if they’re currently in the UK as a dependent Please note there can be a range of scenarios that affect eligibility for dependents, we recommend checking here before starting your application. Evidence of Personal Savings: As a requirement, you need to show proof that you have an extra £630 available for each dependent that you plan to bring to the UK (in addition to the £945 you are required to support yourself financially). If you present a bank statement to this effect, the money must have been in your bank account or your dependent’s bank account, for longer than 90 days before the application date. You will not need to show proof of your savings if you have: a fully approved (A-rated) sponsor you possess a certificate of sponsorship that states your sponsor will provide each of your dependents with at least £630 per month should they need it Documents must be submitted when applying in order to prove dependents falls under one of the above-mentioned criteria. Required Documents for a Tier 2 Dependent visa: A person applying to enter the UK as a dependent of a Tier 2 Visa holder, must submit the following documents during their Visa application interview: Appointment sheet Confirming dependents' T2 visa appointment.  Passport Valid for 6 months beyond the relocation date and must have at least one blank page in order to be able to affix visa. Application form Some locations only allow online applications - check with the UK embassy in your home country. If you can apply online, take the confirmation form with you to your appointment.  One UK visa photo in colour Ensure these are 45mm high by 35mm wide, taken within the last month and printed to a professional standard. Original birth certificate or marriage certificate  It must show dependent’s relationship to principal Tier 2 work visa holder. Previous passports These are needed to show previous travel history.  Translations of every document not in English These must be official translations. Tuberculosis screening If you are from a listed country, you will need to provide a Tuberculosis Testing Clearance Certificate – read our blog for more information. Document requirements vary depending on your country of residence, so you want to make sure before submitting your application. We advise you ask the embassy in your country of residence for a checklist before gathering the required documents.  Please note, your documents, including your passport, will remain at the embassy or consulate, during the time your application is being reviewed. Can dependents work on a Tier 2 Dependent Visa?  Yes. If you come to the UK and you have the required age which permits you to work, then you are allowed to take a job according to your qualifications.  The only exception is that Tier 2 Dependents are not allowed to work as a doctor in training, they will need to complete their own Tier 2 Visa if planning to work as a doctor in the UK.  In addition, if you come to the UK as a Tier 2 Spouse Dependent then you are not allowed to switch your visa to a Tier 2 Visa once in UK, even if you find a job that requires highly skilled persons. You will have to return to your home country and apply from there in order to be able to obtain a Tier 2 Visa. Can you extend the Tier 2 Dependent Visa?  Yes. Every person remaining in the UK as a dependent of a Tier 2 Visa holder, has the right to apply to extend their stay in the UK.  What are you permitted to do with a Tier 2 Dependent Visa? These are the main activities you’re allowed to perform in the UK as a Tier 2 Dependent: Stay in the UK for as long as the main Tier 2 migrant legally lives in the UK Travel outside the UK Work under certain restrictions Study under certain conditions Take a postgraduate course Get married or enter into a civil partnership Extend the visa What are you not permitted to do in the UK with a Tier 2 Dependent Visa? These are the activities you’re not allowed to perform in the UK as a Tier 2 Dependent: Use the public funds and benefits Work as a dentist/doctor in training, or as a sportsperson Study in a restricted study field How much will this cost me? There are two costs to consider throughout this process: your visa application fees with the home office The exact fee for dependents will vary depending on whether or not your own Tier 2 visa falls under the national shortage list or not. This list can be found here. immigration health surcharge The surcharge is applicable every year of your visa at a cost of £400 (this can be checked using the government calculator here) It is important to know, from the moment you pay the IHS surcharge you will be granted access to NHS healthcare services, free of charge. Visa application costs below: Up to 3 years – non-shortage occupation Who’s applying Fee (outside UK) Fee for extending or switching (in the UK) Yourself £610 £704 All dependents £610 per person £704 per person You as a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £555 £649   Up to 3 years – shortage occupation Who’s applying Fee (outside UK) Fee for extending or switching (in the UK) Yourself £464 £464 All dependents £464 per person £464 per person You as a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia £409 £409  Once the dependent visa application is successful, what happens next? First things first, congratulations! You are now just a few steps away from completing your journey to the UK and can now firm up your relocation plans, putting into action your relocation checklist. Request your relocation checklist here. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.             

In this article we focus on the process of obtaining a Criminal Records Certificate for Tier 2 visa, a crucial document to arrange for a successful visa application. We'll consider the following: What is a Criminal Records Certificate? How do I know if I need one? How do I apply for a Criminal Records Certificate? What if I can’t attain one from a particular country?  I received my Criminal Records Certificate – what next? What is a Criminal Records Certificate? An essential part to any Tier 2 visa application – the Criminal Records Certificate (CRC) can also be known as a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). A Criminal Records Certificate is a document confirming an individuals’ criminal record. It will include any past offences and information relating to recent arrests or further action such as prosecution. The certificate will of course confirm a clean record. Applying for a CRC can take some time, so we advise you to apply as soon as possible to avoid delays to your visa application and in turn starting your first NHS post. How do I know if I need one? Anyone applying to work in the health and social care sectors will need one. As of April 2017, any Tier 2 visa applicants and any adult dependents are required to provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in consecutively for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. As a result, you may need to apply for multiple CRCs depending on your travel movements over the last 10 years. How do I apply for a Criminal Records Certificate? It is usually issued by the police or by an appropriate law enforcement agency, please note it can be named slightly differently in different countries (see some examples in list below). If you cannot find the information you need, we would advise you to get in touch with the countries local police station. Alternatively, your IMG Connect consultant will be on hand to help so do not hesitate to get in touch. What if I can’t get a Criminal Records Certificate from a particular country?  The home office does understand that some countries do not have police systems currently able to provide a criminal records certificate. In such cases you will need to provide a satisfactory explanation about why you have not provided one, if not provided your visa application will be refused. I received my Criminal Records Certificate – what next? Assuming your CRC has come back with no offense present, you will need to upload these certificates as part of your online visa application for the UK Home Office. The certificate should be dated no earlier than 6 months prior to the date that you are applying.  IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.             

Here we take a look at an essential document for any Pakistani doctor looking to work outside of the country – the Pakistani Protector Stamp. In this article we will look at what exactly the protector stamp is and consider the following topics: What is the Pakistani Protector Stamp? Do I need the Protector Stamp? Life Insurance How do I get my passport stamped? Documents you will need The process I have my protector stamp. What happens next? What is a Pakistani Protector Stamp?  The protector stamp is an actual passport stamp given to any Pakistani travelling abroad on a work visa. It is an official Pakistani government requirement and without the protector stamp you will not be allowed to travel.  In addition to allowing you to work abroad, it will also cover you for life insurance, with the person you nominate receiving one million Pakistani rupees in such an event.  Do I need the Protector Stamp? Every intending emigrant is legally bound to get their foreign service agreement protected from the concerned Protectorate of Emigrants (PE) office in Pakistan. It is important to remember that the protector stamp is needed alongside your offer of employment and your visa. Visits to the UK for leisure or PLAB 2 do not require the Pakistani Protector Stamp. As well as granting you access to work overseas, the Pakistani Protector Stamp will also cover you for life insurance to a figure of PKR 1,000,000 Life Insurance: Whilst life insurance is an obvious perk, you do have to pay for it. You will be required to deposit PKR 2,500 to cover life risk for a sum of PKR 1,000,000. This insurance is valid for five years. There are also a number of other benefits that come once your life insurance and protector stamp are in place, you can read through them on the Pakistani Government website here. How do I get my passport stamped? You will need to attend an appointment at your local Protectorate Office in order to receive the stamp.  The process of getting your Pakistani Protector Stamp can be a little arduous. Specific documents are required and be prepared to spend up to one whole day completing the process. Documents you will need: Your Visa work permit Contract or a conditional offer of employment from the UK employer Pakistani passport Pakistani CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) Next of kin information (including CNIC for recipient of insurance compensation) Medical report Bank challan receipts Life insurance  Undertaking form One passport photo Please note, until very recently NICOP was an essential document for this process as well. There has been a little confusion over this recently so if you have a card already, it does not hurt to bring this along with you. It is best to make any copies of your documents in prior to attending your local Protectorate Office, it will help you avoid any delays once you are there and make for a smoother process. The Process  Attend your local Protectorate Office early in the morning with the original copies of your documents. You can find your local office here. The main reception will direct you to a window to show the checking officer your CNIC, passport and the copy of your UK visa.  As soon as your visa copy is signed, you will need to take this and the rest of your documents to the next window to submit the rest of your documents.  Once these are ready you can expect to wait a few hours until your passport is stamped. I have my Protector Stamp. What happens next? You need to have your passport stamped once you have a job offer and work visa, so this should be one of the last steps before relocating.  Once your passport is stamped you will be cleared to work outside of Pakistan and begin your journey in the UK! IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.