If you’re an overseas doctor starting a job with the NHS, one key step is proving your right to work in the UK. Employers must check this before you start, ensuring you’re legally allowed to take up the role. Here’s what you need to know to get it sorted smoothly.
Why It’s Required
UK law demands that all employers, including the NHS, verify employees’ eligibility to work. This prevents illegal employment and protects your career. For doctors, it ties into your visa status and GMC registration, so having the right documents ready keeps your start date on track.
Who Needs to Prove It?
Every overseas doctor must show proof, unless you’re a British or Irish citizen with a passport to match. If you’re from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, post-Brexit rules might apply, like settled status. Most international medical graduates, especially on visas like the Health and Care Worker Visa, will need specific evidence.
Acceptable Documents
Your NHS trust will ask for originals (not copies) of one or more of these:
- Passport with Visa: A valid passport plus your UK visa vignette or biometric residence permit (BRP), showing work rights.
- Share Code: If you’ve got an e-Visa (digital status), generate a share code via GOV.UK. Log in with your visa details, share it with your employer, and they’ll check it online.
- EU Settlement Scheme: For EEA nationals, proof of settled or pre-settled status via a share code or certificate works.
- Other Permits: A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your trust, paired with entry clearance, counts if you’re on a sponsored visa.
Check GOV.UK’s full list, as combinations vary by situation.
How It Works
Your trust’s HR team will arrange a check, either in person or online:
- In-Person: Bring documents to an induction or pre-start meeting. They’ll scan and return them, noting expiry dates.
- Online: For e-Visas, email your share code to HR. They’ll verify it through the Home Office system, often faster if you’re still abroad.
Some trusts handle this during onboarding, but others need it earlier to issue contracts. Ask your contact when and how they prefer it.
Preparing as an Overseas Doctor
Before arriving, ensure your visa matches your job offer (e.g., Health and Care Worker Visa for NHS roles). Carry your BRP or passport with vignette in hand luggage. If delayed, notify HR, as they can’t let you start without proof. Digital visa holders should test their share code ahead of time to avoid glitches.
Common Issues
No right-to-work proof means no work, even with GMC registration. Expired visas or lost documents delay things; apply for replacements via GOV.UK (£154 for a BRP) pronto. If your visa restricts hours or roles, clarify with HR to align with your contract.
Tips for Success
Double-check your visa conditions on arrival. Keep copies of everything, physical or digital, in case HR misplaces scans. Respond fast to requests, as NHS admin can lag with new hires. If unsure, your trust’s immigration lead or the Home Office helpline can clarify.
Starting Your NHS Journey
Proving your right to work is a quick hurdle for overseas doctors. Get your docs lined up, coordinate with HR, and you’ll be ready to dive into your NHS role without a hitch.
If you’re interested in working in the UK and would like to discuss this blog, available positions in your specialty, or how we can assist you, please contact our Permanent & Fixed-Term Recruitment team at [email protected].
