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.
Scotland’s Migration Service developed by Scottish Government, provides free information and advice to employers to understand how to employ and retain non-UK nationals living abroad and/or already living in Scotland.
As employers, GP Practices can book free appointments with an immigration lawyer from the law firm Seraphus, who Scottish Government have partnered with to deliver immigration advice. An immigration lawyer can discuss your specific needs and provide tailored advice for your next steps.
You can access Scotland’s Migration Service resources which include free webinars, guides and tutorials to understand all aspects of the sponsor licence application process, and the responsibilities of being a sponsor.
Scottish Government Primary Care Directorate have created guidance specifically for General Practices in Scotland: Becoming a Skilled Worker Visa Sponsor.
The Centre for Workforce Supply, in NHS Education for Scotland, has resources to help you plan how to welcome and support IMG doctors and other international healthcare professionals into your team on the Centre for Workforce Supply Resource Hub.
Explore the GP IMG Visa Guide, developed to support IMG GP specialty trainees who need to secure visa sponsorship after they complete their training.
Further resources can be found on the Centre for Workforce Supply Resource Hub on TURAS.