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.