The steps to becoming a Visa Sponsor

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This guide has been designed to support GP Practices by providing guidance and advice on how to apply for a Visa Sponsorship Licence, with UK Visa and Immigration. Becoming a visa sponsoring practice, will help support and retain GP IMGs in the NHS Scotland workforce, ensuring longer term stability of the Primary Care workforce.

You will find guidance and signposting to information about how to apply for a UKVI Visa Sponsorship Licence, as well as details of the benefits of becoming a visa sponsor, the steps involved and the costs. 

Explore the range of tools and steps to support your practice become a visa sponsor.

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.

Explore the steps to becoming a Visa Sponsor
Costs of becoming a Visa Sponsor
How does my practice apply for the visa sponsor licence?

To apply, you need to submit an application on the UKVI website: UK visa sponsorship for employers

How much does it cost to become a visa sponsor?

 

The cost of the sponsor licence is determined by the size of the employer, for most GP Practices, the fee would be £574 (as of April 2025). You can check up to date fees on the UKVI website: Apply for your licence.

How long will it take for the application to be processed?

Most applications are approved within 8 weeks; however, it may take longer.

There is an option to pay for a fast-tracked service at £500 extra (as of April 2025) for a decision on your application in 10 working days. This can be helpful if you have already identified a candidate that you want to employ quickly.

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How much does it cost to provide visa sponsorship to a GP?

In this guide there are two examples of the costs for supporting a newly qualified GP living in Scotland who requires sponsorship for three years or less. If you provide sponsorship to a GP who needs a visa for more than three years (for example if you internationally recruit a GP from overseas), the costs will be higher.

Please note that the costs of the Certificate of Sponsorship, and the Immigration Skills Charge cannot be passed on to the employee.

Costs are correct as of April 2025. You can find details of visa application costs on the UKVI website: Health and Care Worker Visa – How much it costs. You should check the UKVI website for up to date information on the costs of the Certificate of Sponsorship and Immigration Skills Charge.

Example one - Sponsoring a GP with no dependants

In this example, we will look at costs involved in sponsoring a GP with no dependants. Please note that the initial charge for the sponsor licence is not included in these per person costs.

Example two - Sponsoring a GP who has a partner and child as their dependants

In this example we will look at the costs involved sponsoring a GP who has a partner and child as their dependants. Please note that the initial charge for the sponsor licence is not included in these per person costs.

Is there a minimum salary/number of hours that must be worked to provide visa sponsorship to a GP?
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To sponsor a GP, you must offer them a minimum salary which meets the visa requirements. Find out more about the Skilled Worker salary requirements (gov.uk) and the National pay scales for eligible healthcare occupation codes (gov.uk). You can book a free appointment with an immigration lawyer from Scotland’s Migration Service to help you understand the salary requirements for visa sponsorship. 

 

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