Over 50% of doctors in GP training are International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and typically not eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK when they qualify. Therefore they must be employed by a practice with a Visa Sponsorship Licence to continue working in the UK. 19/84 (23%) BSW practices currently hold Visa Sponsorship Licences.
You can help support IMGs into employment by becoming a visa sponsoring practice. This has many advantages, such as having access to an expanded workforce to employ from.
To encourage as many practices as possible, the Training Hub are offering some financial support (cost of licence). To secure funding and become a sponsoring practice, please email rachelj.cooke@nhs.net.
Eight practices have obtained a Visa Sponsorship Licence (funded by the Training Hub) to date and a further 10 are in the process of applying.
Further information and guidance on how to become a sponsor can be found here.
Please note; the Training Hub / ICB are unable to fund practices for the cost of Certificate of Sponsorships (CoS) or the Immigration Skills Charge.
