Introduction
This guide has been designed for final year GP speciality trainees who need to secure visa sponsorship after they complete their training, in order to remain in the NHS Scotland Workforce.
You will find guidance and signposting to information about visa sponsorship, and job opportunities, which can help you to progress your career in NHS Scotland.
Explore the range of tools and steps to support securing visa sponsorship.
Please note the information in this guide is in accordance with current immigration legislation and processes as of April 2025. In May 2025 the UK Government published their Restoring control over the immigration system white paper. We will update the guides as and when any proposed changes from the white paper come into force. Please always refer to the UKVI website for updates and changes on immigration legislation for the most up to date information.
Getting Started
This guide has been created for final year GP specialty trainees who need to secure visa sponsorship after the complete their training, in order to remain in the NHS Scotland Workforce.
During your GP training, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) have acted as your visa sponsor. If you want to continue to live and work in the UK after you qualify, you will need to find a job with a GP Practice, or a Health Board which has a sponsor licence. They will need to sponsor you, and you will need to apply for a new Health and Care Worker visa with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
This guide will help to signpost you to the steps you need to take to plan for securing a job in Scotland after your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).
