Please note the following updates from May 2024 for practices applying to become sponsors for our International Medical Graduate colleagues. While the documents listed below may be slightly outdated, the process remains unchanged. However, we recommend considering the updates outlined below, effective from May 2024.

• Skilled Worker visa (previously Tier 2) is the immigration route for non-EEA doctors to work in the UK. Health and carer visa is the specific subset for International Medical Graduates.
• GP Practices can apply for the sponsorship licence which is valid for ten years from 6 April 2024. For those who have a liscence on the 6th April 2024 will automatically have their expiration date postponed by 10 years.
• It takes about half an hour to register and set up the online account. Please note that online applications take up to eight weeks to process. You must have received your practice sponsorship license before applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS). The COS application is processed through the Sponsorship Management System, which you will be granted access to once your license has been issued.
• You must apply for a Certificate of sponsorship (CoS) for each individual who is on a health and care visa who you wish to employ at the organisation. The CoS must have the correct start date for the employee.
• Employees can start their visa application 3 months prior to their start date as stated on the CoS
• Since April 2024, those IMG colleagues in GP training on a skilled workers visa have an automatic 4-month extension to their skilled worker visa on achieving their CCT to allow them enough time to get their new visa in place to start as a salaried GP.
• From May 2024, NHSE are no longer able to support practices with the visa process, instead they have worked with the Home Office to get a specific NHS team who can guide practices through any difficulties at: UKVINHSTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk.

The main costs to practice are:

• Worker License fee for the practice:
  Fee for small or charitable sponsors – £536
  Fee for medium or large sponsors – £1,476

• Certificate of Sponsorship for each individual sponsored by the practice:
  Cost per certificate – £239

• Immigration Skills charge:
  First 12 months – £364 (small or charitable sponsors); £1,000 (medium or large sponsors)
  Each additional 6 months – £182 (small or charitable sponsors); £500 (medium or large sponsors)

• Balderton Surgery, near Newark
• Barnby Gate Surgery, Newark
• Bilborough Medical Centre, Nottingham
• Broad Oak Medical Practice, Nottingham
• Castle Healthcare Practice, West Bridgford
• Churchfields Medical Practice, Old Basford, Nottingham
• Cripps Health Centre, University of Nottingham
• Derby Road Health Centre, Lenton, Nottingham
• East Bridgford Medical Centre
• Forest Medical, Mansfield
• Grange Farm Medical Centre, Bilborough, Nottingham
• Hama Medical Centre, Kimberley, Nottingham
• Hickings Lane Medical Centre, Stapleford, Nottingham
• Highcroft Surgery, Arnold
• High Green Medical Practice, Hyson Green, Nottingham
• Hucknall Road Medical Centre, Nottingham
• The Ivy Medical Group, Burton Joyce and Lowdham
• Kirkby Community Primary Care Centre, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
• Kirkby Health Centre, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
• Leen View Surgery, Bulwell, Nottingham
• Lombard Medical Centre, Newark
• Meden Medical Services, Meden Vale and Warsop
• Melbourne Park Medical Centre, Aspley, Nottingham
• Middleton Lodge Practice, New Ollerton, Newark
• Millview Surgery, Mansfield
• Newgate Medical Group, Worksop
• Newthorpe Medical Centre
• Oakenhall Medical Practice, Hucknall
• Oakwood Surgery, Mansfield Woodhouse
• Orchard Medical Practice, Mansfield
• Parliament Street Medical Centre, Nottingham
• Peacock Healthcare, Carlton, Nottingham
• Plains View Surgery, Mapperley, Nottingham
• Roundwood Surgery, Mansfield
• Saxon Cross Surgery, Stapleford, Nottingham
• Sherwood Medical Partnership, Forest Town, Mansfield
• Skegby Family Medical Centre
• Southglade Medical Practice, Bestwood, Nottingham
• St Albans & Nirmala Medical Centres, Bulwell and Bestwood Park, Nottingham
• Sunrise Medical Practice, Clifton, Nottingham
• Victoria and Mapperley Practice, Nottingham and Mapperley
• Village Health Group, East Leake and Keyworth
• Wellspring Surgery, St Ann’s, Nottingham
• Westdale Lane Surgery, Gedling, Nottingham
• Whyburn Medical Practice, Hucknall
• The Windmill Practice, Sneinton, Nottingham
• Zulu Road Medical Centre, Basford, Nottingham

The Phoenix Programme in collaboration with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS are pleased to announce a new financial support package for costs associated with Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship for GPs.

This initiative aims to facilitate the recruitment of International Medical Graduates through easing the financial burden to employers and to offer clear guidance for the administrative process. All practices and employers in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are eligible.

You can view further details for local arrangements by clicking on the highlighted link.

The Phoenix team has created a new for newly qualified IMG GPs – please email us for a copy.