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On 7 March 2006 the Department of Health announced changes to the immigration rules for postgraduate doctors and dentists. The changes, which will come into effect shortly, mean that all doctors and dentists who wish to work in the UK from outside the European Union will need to meet the requirements of an employment category, such as the work permit provisions.

For employers this will mean that any NHS trust wishing to employ a doctor or dentist from outside the EU will have to prove that a "home-grown" doctor cannot fill the vacant post.

The current immigration rules allow the category of Postgraduate Doctors and Dentists to train in foundation programmes, senior house office and equivalent grades and in specialist registrar and equivalent grades. For immigration purposes they are considered as being in training and not in employment. However, this will no longer be the case and these posts will be considered as employment posts for immigration purposes and therefore applicants will need to hold a valid work permit.

Any existing leave will continue on the current conditions. This means that if someone has valid leave as a postgraduate doctor or dentist they can continue in their current post and take up any other relevant training posts until their leave expires. If the doctor or dentist wishes to remain in the UK beyond this time, they will need to meet the requirements of an employment category of the immigration rules, such as work permits. If they do not meet the requirements they will have to leave the UK.

Overseas doctors and dentists will still be able to come and train in the UK. However, they will now be considered as being in employment for immigration purposes. Work permits will only be issued where there is a specific post for the overseas doctor or dentist which cannot be filled by someone from within the UK or EEA.

The specific category for postgraduate doctors and dentists will still remain for non-EU nationals who have trained at UK medical schools so that they can undertake a Foundation Programme and acquire full registration from the GMC.

The Department of Health and the Home Office have agreed transitional arrangements for doctors whose leave to remain expires before the end of their programme. These individuals are able to switch into the work permit system without their employer needing to advertise the post. Further information about the transitional arrangements will be available nearer the time.


Visit following sites for details:
UK work permit required for international doctors
MMC (Overseas Doctors)
NHS Employers (Q&A)