BMA clarification on recent immigration announcements - Tier 2
9 September 2008
You may have seen media reports stating that doctors from outside Europe will no longer be able to work in Britain as salaried GPs, or as hospital doctors except in shortage specialties, under official government plans.
These reports have stemmed from a press release today (9 September 2008) on the Home Office’s Migration Advisory Committee’s recommended shortage occupation list.
Previously, salaried GPs were included on the list of shortage occupations which meant that it was easier for doctors from outside the UK/EEA to successfully apply for work permits as a salaried GP.
It is the BMA’s understanding that the removal of salaried GPs from the shortage occupation list will have the following impact:
- Doctors from outside the UK/EEA will still be able to work as salaried GPs
- However, as salaried GPs are no longer listed as a shortage occupation on the latest list, it will be harder for salaried GPs to successfully apply to Tier 2 (which is replacing the old system of work permits in November 2008). Tier 2 is a points-based system and jobs in shortage occupations are automatically allocated more points than those roles that are not shortage occupations for which there is no suitable UK/EEA candidate available to take the post
- The removal of salaried GPs from the shortage occupations list does not mean that salaried GPs from outside Europe will no longer be able to work in Britain as salaried GPs but will mean that their access to posts under the Tier 2 category will be more difficult
- Salaried GPs will still be able to apply to Tier 1 which replaced the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme in February 2008. The announcement in respect of shortage occupations does not change the requirements of Tier 1.
Read more on the UK Border Agency website about Tier 1.
Read more on the UK Border Agency website about Tier 2.
For further information please contact the BMA’s International Department on 020 7383 6793 or international.info@bma.org.uk