NHS SCOTLAND HIRING NOW!

5-YEAR VISA SPONSORSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

 

NHS Scotland is dedicated to providing comprehensive and equitable healthcare services to the people of Scotland. Guided by principles of care, compassion, dignity, and respect, its mission is to transform health and care in Scotland to be the best, ensuring that all individuals live long and healthy lives.

Now, let’s dive into the 5-year visa sponsorship that NHS Scotland provides for international applicants who scale their job interviews.

In NHS Scotland, healthcare positions are categorized into bands that reflect roles, responsibilities, and experience levels. Band 5 typically includes roles such as newly qualified nurses, paramedics, and other entry-level healthcare professionals. Positions in this band involve delivering direct patient care, implementing care plans, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality service delivery.

It’s important to note that visa sponsorship is typically offered for Band 5 roles and above. Non-medical positions below Band 5 are less likely to attract sponsorship.

 

Benefits of Working with NHS Scotland 

Working at NHS Scotland offers a variety of rewarding roles that will help your career progression in healthcare. With the opportunity to work in one of 22 Health Boards, each Board has fantastic benefits to offer NHS Scotland staff including:

• A competitive pay and benefits package
• Generous annual leave
• Excellent pension entitlements
• Continuing professional development opportunities
• Ongoing career progression and a varied lifelong career

Scotland is a wonderful place to live with a vibrant and welcoming culture, as well as free world-class education and healthcare. Starting your career with the NHS is a step towards ongoing professional development and a varied, fulfilling career where you are continually supported to develop your skills. NHS Scotland is recognised as one of the best, most dynamic healthcare systems in the world. Joining the NHS in Scotland will bring fantastic career opportunities with the chance to make a difference.

 

What do I need to work in NHS Scotland as an overseas health professional?

Anyone from outside of the UK (which does exclude the Republic of Ireland), including overseas healthcare professionals, requires permission from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to live and work in Scotland and possibly clearance ahead of travelling.

The UKVI is a section of the Home Office responsible for managing migration. You will need to meet certain requirements to gain a visa or entry clearance to the UK. You will also have to demonstrate you have the right to work in the UK by:

• The points-based immigration system
• A biometric residence permit
• The EU settlement scheme

To work in NHS Scotland, you will need a Health and Care Worker visa. This allows healthcare professionals to come to Scotland, stay in Scotland, and undertake an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or within adult social care. 

Your application to the Health and Care Worker visa will be assessed using the points system, with the purpose of allowing entry to those whose skills will benefit the UK. The number of points needed and points awarded is dependent on which category you apply under. These are categorised by:

• A job offer
• Skill level
• Language competence
• Qualifications
• Other set criteria

Occupations recognised as shortage occupations are listed by the UKVI, meaning there are not enough qualified and experienced workers from the resident labour market for the available vacancies. Many healthcare roles are on this list; you can find full details of the shortage occupations recognised by the UKVI on the national shortage occupation list.

Health and Care Worker visa

If you are a qualified healthcare professional from outside the UK who would like to work in NHS Scotland, you will need to obtain the Health and Care Worker visa. This visa allows healthcare professionals to work in an eligible job in the NHS in Scotland, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you need to:

• Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
• Work in an eligible health or social care job.
• Work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office.
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)  from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK.
• Be paid a minimum salary (amount depends on the type of work you do).

Knowledge of English

To qualify, you will need to prove that you are able to understand, speak, read, and write English. 

How long is the visa valid?

The Health and Care Worker visa allows you to stay in Scotland for up to 5 years before you need to extend or update it.

If you would like to stay in Scotland longer, you can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like so long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

After 5 years in Scotland, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This will give you the right to live, work, and study in Scotland for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

How to apply for your Health and Care worker visa

You can complete your application online. How you apply will depend on whether you are:

• outside the UK and are coming to the UK
• inside the UK and extending your current visa
• inside the UK and switching from a different visa

Your family (partner and children) will be able to apply to join you or stay in Scotland as your dependents if they’re eligible.

How long does the visa application take?

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before you are due to start work in Scotland. This date will be listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application process, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to confirm this. You’ll find out if you need an appointment when you start your application.

There are a couple of ways to apply for a healthcare job in Scotland. You can use an approved recruitment agency in your home country, as long as it is not on the red list. Alternatively, you can apply directly for one of NHS Scotland’s vacancies on their recruitment website.

 

Application process for each profession

To start working as an NHS Scotland health professional, you’ll need to take the following steps:

1. Check if you are eligible to work as a registered health practitioner in the UK by visiting the 
2. Proof of your English Language either (EL) Test or Computer-Based Test (CBT) where necessary. You don’t need to do this before you apply for a job, but you’ll need to do it before you move.
3. Choose your application route, whether it’s via NHS Scotland’s recruitment website or an agency local to you.
4. Have your interview and receive a job offer. You’ll be interviewed and directly employed by an NHS Health Board.
5. You will receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your new employer, and you can then apply for your Health and Care Visa.
6. Book your flights and find somewhere to stay once you’ve arrived in Scotland (your Health Board will be able to support you with this).

  PRO TIPS:

• Always check out the eligibility criteria for each job before applying to it.
• Make sure to go through the list of supporting documents required. You’ll find this at the bottom of the vacancies page.
• Carefully read the job descriptions.
• Tailor your application to the job descriptions.

 

NHS Scotland awaits you! Get yourself ready to apply with more information.

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