This page provides general information about the right to work in the UK. Individuals who require advice on immigration matters are advised to seek up to date information and support directly from the UK Visas and Immigration team (UKVI).
Applicant Information – Skilled Worker Visas
Foundation Programme applicants are advised to refer to the dedicated pages on the Medical and Speciality training website to access all information about skilled worker visa sponsorship.
National sponsorship teams and contacts
The UKFPO do not arrange Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, this is arranged by the national sponsorship teams and contacts are listed below for each of the four nations:
National Overseas Sponsorship Team – NHS England – england.sponsorship@nhs.net
Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW) – NWSSP.EmploymentServices.Enablement@wales.nhs.uk
The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) – tier2.nimdta@hscni.net
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) – tier2sponsorship@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Right to work information at the point of application
Evidence of right to work is not required at the point of eligibility application. Non-UK/settled workers will be required to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK for the duration of the 2 year foundation training programme upon successful allocation to a foundation school. Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) will be arranged for applicants who need to apply for a Visa.
If you already hold right to work status at the point of eligibility application and it will remain valid for the entire duration of the 2 year foundation programme, please upload this evidence in your Oriel eligibility application.
Top tip: If you currently have right to work which will expire before the programme starts, please indicate on your Oriel application that you will require sponsorship. A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) will then be arranged for you once you have been allocated to a programme.
If your visa is due to expire part-way through the 2 year foundation programme, you will need to provide evidence of your continued right to work status beyond this point, or you may need to apply for an extension or other type of visa without disrupting your training programme.
Can I use my passport as evidence of right to work in the UK?
If you do not already have right to work (RTW) in the UK, you cannot use your passport as RTW evidence. When completing your Oriel application, please follow the additional prompts to select the most appropriate option for you.
Remember that evidence of right to work is not required at the point of eligibility application. Non-UK/settled workers will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK for the duration of the 2 year foundation training programme upon successful allocation. Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) will be arranged for applicants who need to apply for a Visa.
Please direct your query to the sponsorship team who will be able to advise you – see “National sponsorship teams and contacts” above for a contact email.
My visa will run out before the programme starts
If you know that your current visa will run out before the start of your training programme, you will need to ensure that you hold a new visa, or an alternative right to work, before your training programme begins. Applicants who have been allocated to a Foundation Programme and require sponsorship for a skilled worker visa should contact the sponsorship team for the nation they will be working in so that sponsorship can be arranged – see “National sponsorship teams and contacts” above for a contact email.
Where should I send my right work and visa evidence once the application window has closed?
Once an applicant has been successfully allocated to a foundation school, they must send their visa documentation directly to their employer and/or foundation school. This information must not be sent to the UKFPO.