It doesn’t guarantee that you will fill your vacancy, but it opens a new pool of doctors who are then able to apply for your vacancies.
What is Tier 2?
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Tier 2 is an immigration route for International doctors who wish to work in the UK. These doctors must be sponsored by an organisation or company that holds a Tier 2 licence. A licence is a permission given to an organisation to sponsor workers in its business. The organisation is known as a sponsor.
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Trainees are sponsored by HEE, but that sponsorship ends when they complete training and so must find employment with a new sponsoring organisation or must return to their home country
How to become a sponsor?
To become a sponsor you will need to:
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Complete an online application - slide pack is available from NHE England along with support
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Pay a fee
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Identify key personnel in your organisation to have Tier 2 responsibilities
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Send specific documents within 5 days of making your application
Now that my practice is a sponsor
Once you are a sponsor you will need to:
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Keep records/documents for each sponsored doctor (this is normal employee information)
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Report a doctor’s non-attendance, non-compliance or disappearance
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Maintain your organisation information online.
The maximum time that a Tier 2 doctor may be in the UK under a Tier 2 visa is 5 years. After 5 years, the doctor may apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain). An international Tier 2 doctor who has also trained in the UK will have already been in the UK under Tier 2 for a few years and so the period of sponsorship may be limited before indefinite leave to remain may be granted.
Reimbursement process
NHS England is currently reimbursing costs relating to tier 2 visa sponsored GPs and their immediate family:
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Relocation costs for the sponsored GP and immediate family up to £5000 (from outside the UK only)
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Tier 2 visa application costs for the sponsored GP and their family
In order to apply for reimbursement, please contact the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG - contact details below.
Further Information
The latest information regarding Tier 2 sponsorship is available online and you can apply online too.
Home Office contact details – 0300 123 4699, or email BusinessHelpdesk@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Key contact
We would be more than happy to guide you through the application and reimbursement processes - even come out and visit the practice!
If you have any questions or would like some support, please contact our Primary Care Quality & Workforce Support Manager- Janet Nix on 07943 594 604 or janet.nix@nhs.net
