After making an application to United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

The Health and Care visa route is designed to be processed quicker by United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) than the standard route

Your current immigration status will decide of you are able to commence your new post while a decision is pending.

When you can start your new post

Curent visa status	Starting new post
Curent visa status Skilled Worker visa sponsored by NHS England (applying for an extension)	Starting new post You will be able to start working in your new post while a decision is pending on your visa as long as you apply before your current visa expires
Curent visa status Skilled Worker visa but changing sponsors (change of employment)	Starting new post You must have your new Skilled Worker visa before commencing your new post.
Curent visa status Student visa	Starting new post You will be able to commence in your new post up to 3 months before your course completion date whilst waiting for your Skilled Worker Visa decision providing that you have submitted a “valid” visa application to UKVI while you still have leave on your student visa. You must however apply for a Skilled Worker visa before your Student visa expires. You will need submit the Skilled worker visa application prior to commencing your training post. For further information, please see Student Policy Guidance section ST26.6.
Curent visa status Any other visa status or if you hold no visa status in the UK	Starting new post You must have your Skilled Worker visa before commencing your new post

Processing times

UKVI publish their service standard processing times and will depend on which application and route you have taken. The Health and Care visa route however is designed to be processed quicker than the standard route. You will need to refer to the UKVI website for standard processing times. Applications from outside of the UK may differ.

If your application is still within the UKVI service standard processing times then there is nothing further that can be done at this stage.

If your application has gone over the UKVI service standard processing times you can contact United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) directly to query this with them.

If your application is over the service standard processing times, you have contacted UKVI and not been able to progress this further, you can contact the NHS England National Overseas Sponsorship Team via email [email protected]. They will ascertain if they are able to intervene on your behalf.

If you have not received your Visa

If your application is still within the UKVI service standard processing times then there is nothing further that can be done at this stage.

If your application has gone over the UKVI service standard processing times you can contact United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) directly to query this with them.

If your application is over the service standard processing times, you have contacted UKVI and not been able to progress this further, you can contact [email protected] and the NHS England National Overseas Sponsorship Team will ascertain if they are able to intervene on your behalf. 

Successful application

Once you receive your Visa, you will need to ensure that all the details are correct.

If you find a problem with your Visa when it arrives you must report it within 10 days of receipt, otherwise you may have to apply and pay for a replacement. You can report problems with your Visa on the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.

Once you have your correct Visa, you should upload a copy of this to the Overseas Sponsorship Portal as soon as this has been received. You will also need to provide the original copy to your employer.

As part of our Sponsor duties, the NHS England National Overseas Sponsorship Team who issue your CoS will request a copy of your Visa once you have made your Skilled Worker application. Local NHS England Offices (previously known as Deaneries) may also ask for a copy of your Visa for their records. The Trusts/Employers that you will be going to work for will also request to see the originals and want copies of these to meet right to work requirements.

Application refused

If your application to UKVI is refused, you may be able to re-apply.

You will be aware that you have not needed to pay for the original Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued to you. However, if you make an error on your Skilled Worker application resulting in UKVI refusing your application and a second CoS is needed, you will need to reimburse NHS England for the cost of this second CoS before it is issued to you. You will need to contact the NHS England National Overseas Sponsorship Team via email [email protected] with your refusal letter. Details will be sent to you of how to make the £239 payment for a replacement CoS.

If you lose your Visa

If you lose your Visa, you will need to report it as lost as soon as possible on the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.

If your Visa is stolen

If your Visa is stolen, you will need to report it as stolen as soon as possible on the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.