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).
Non-urgent advice: Important
The UKFPO are not immigration specialists. It is not the responsibility of the UKFPO to provide comprehensive information or updates regarding changes to immigration law.
National sponsorship teams / contacts
The Tier 2 Visa has now changed to the Skilled Worker visa. The UKFPO do not arrange Skilled Worker sponsorship, this is arranged by the national sponsorship teams and contacts are listed below for each of the four nations:
Health Education England (HEE) – Sponsorship@hee.nhs.uk
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
Tier 4 sponsorship has now changed to the Student Visa. A Student Visa is arranged by the sponsorship team at HEE. This is a programme specific visa. The contact details are as follows:
Health Education England – StudentSponsorship@hee.nhs.uk
Right to work information
Although every effort has been made to ensure that this guidance is accurate and up-to date at the time of publication, the right for overseas citizens to work in the UK is governed by legislation which may change from time to time, and is ultimately a matter for Parliament and the courts. The UKFPO accepts no responsibility or liability where the content of this guidance is relied upon and later found to be inaccurate, or legislation is changed. You are advised to check the up-to-date position regularly.
Applying to work as a European doctor in the UK
Immigration rules and the points-based system
The UK’s points-based immigration system – further details
Skilled worker sponsorship FAQs
Please find more information in the Health Education England (HEE) Skilled Worker Sponsorship FAQ document.
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. 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 alternate 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 sponsorship@hee.nhs.uk who will be able to advise you.
How can I send my right to work once the application window has closed?
UKFPO will collate RTW evidence and update Oriel until applicants are allocated to Foundation Schools in March 2024. If you need to provide evidence of your RTW beyond this point, we kindly advise you to submit the documentation directly to your allocated Foundation School and employer. This should be done after the allocation to Foundation School or programme.
Right to Work evidence can be sent through to the UKFPO Helpdesk.
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 post 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/contacts” above for a contact email.