General information
You must have the right to work in the UK as a doctor in training by the start of the programme (July/August 2026) to be considered fully eligible for allocation to a foundation training programme. It is often the case that applicants will be allocated to their foundation training programme before they begin their application for the appropriate visa to ensure they have the right to work in the UK.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have sufficient right to work status in the UK for the duration of the 2-year training programme (2026 entry, finishing August 2028), including renewing/applying for a new visa partway through the programme if necessary.
Evidence of right to work is not required at the point of application and sponsorship can be arranged upon successful allocation to a foundation programme.
Non-urgent advice: Please note
Current eligibility requirements for entry to foundation training in the UK are based on current immigration rules and regulations set by the UK Home Office. Immigration rules and regulations are subject to change and UKFPO processes will be adapted in line with any changes to immigration law.
Applicants who already have Right to Work in the UK at the point of application
If you already have the Right to Work in the UK at the point of application, you must upload evidence of this onto Oriel when submitting your eligibility application.
If you are a British or Irish citizen, you can prove your right to work in the UK with any of the following:
- a British passport
- an Irish passport or passport card
- a UK birth or adoption certificate
- an Irish birth or adoption certificate
- a certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen.
If you are not a British or Irish citizen, you can prove your right to work with:
- a share code – you can get a share code online
- a current passport with a Home Office ‘endorsement’ in it
- an immigration status document
- an application registration card
Applicants who hold a visa must not have restrictions to work as a doctor or dentist.
If you currently have Right to Work which will expire before the programme starts in August 2026, you should indicate on the Oriel application that sponsorship is required. A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) will then be arranged once you have been allocated to a programme.
Applicants who do not have Right to Work in the UK at the point of application
The condition of “right to work required” will remain on the eligibility application until after allocation to a programme. This is so that the correct processes can be followed to ensure sponsorship is arranged. This condition will have no bearing on the application.
If you require visa sponsorship, you should select the option in your application on Oriel: “I wish to be sponsored (I understand my details will be shared with the relevant sponsorship team)”.
At time of publication all medical specialties are included on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), therefore the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) does not currently apply. Sponsorship will be arranged for applicants who require it to apply for a specific visa.
Applicants whose visa will expire part-way through the programme
If your visa will expire part-way through the programme, you must provide evidence of your continued Right to Work status beyond this point. Alternatively, you may need to apply for an extension or alternate visa without disrupting your training programme. To do so, you should arrange for a Certificate of Sponsorship via your allocated Foundation School and/or employer
Non-urgent advice: Important
Birth certificates can only be accepted as evidence of right to work if they have been issued in the UK. The birth certificate must specify the names of your parents plus a copy of a formal document from a previous employer or authority showing your name and national insurance number.
Applicants with dual nationality/multi-citizenship
Applicants with dual nationality/multi-citizenship should complete the Oriel application form using the most relevant nationality for them (in regard to the information they must submit to evidence their Right to Work in the UK) and upload the relevant passport.
Applicants with refugee status
Please apply through the eligibility process and email helpdesk@foundationprogramme.nhs.uk if you have any questions about the application process for the foundation programme