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 it's 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 an overseas doctor, arranging both a Tier 2 visa and dependent visa can be challenging. If you are intending to relocate with dependants 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 dependants, 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 dependants 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 dependant’s 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 dependants 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 dependants 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 dependant 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.

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 visa application process and the documents you will need, looking specifically at the following: What is a Tier 2 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? Visa acceptance Tracking your visa application Your visa application was successful, what next? What is a Tier 2 Visa? First of all, congratulations! If you’re looking to apply for a Tier 2 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 licence and that your IMG Consultant will have already checked this for you. A Tier 2 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 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee This will cost you £400. Pay the visa fee Fees vary depending on whether your position is on the shortage occupation list. 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)  IHS payment confirmation  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 of the requested documents your application will not be finalised and you will need to re-book. How much will this cost me? There are two costs to consider throughout this process: your visa application with the home office immigration health surcharge  Visa application costs: 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 Citizens 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 £409 per person Citizens of Turkey or Macedonia £409 £464  The UK shortage occupation list is found here. Healthcare surcharge: From the moment you pay the IHS surcharge you will be granted access to NHS healthcare services, free of charge.  The IHS will cost you £400.  Please note, the IHS increased from £200 to £400 per year as of January 2019 in order to better reflect the rising cost of healthcare in the UK. Visa acceptance: Eligibility for a visa is dependent on your application scoring a minimum of 70 points, though please note 70 points does not guarantee acceptance. The full document published by the Home Office on Tier 2 of the points-based system can be found here and we have summarised the points scoring criteria below: Criteria Points Current shortage occupation  130 Resident Labour Market Test or an exception applies 30 Receiving an appropriate salary for the job 20 Having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) 30 Meeting English Language criteria 20 Having enough maintenance funds 10 As you might notice, you will have satisfied most of the criteria above ensuring you surpass the 70 points required to be eligible for Tier 2 Visa.  If you’re still not successful, the Home Office will provide you with reasons - IMG Connect will be able to support you with these for your next application. 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 beging 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.

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.

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. 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.