The number of international doctors relocating to the UK to work and settle down has increased significantly. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including a high demand for medical professionals, a robust healthcare system, and a favourable immigration policy.
The National Health Service (NHS) has been facing a shortage of medical staff for years, resulting in a growing need for international doctors to help fill the gap. In addition, there is a high demand for doctors in private healthcare facilities, as the UK has a well-developed private healthcare sector. Starting your journey as an international doctor and relocating to the UK involves a myriad of trivial but
meaningful tasks, such as applying for your visa, following up on your COS, documentation, travel and accommodation arrangements; click here to know more.
As soon as you receive a job offer from the trust of your choice, the next step in your relocation journey would be to apply for your Health and Care Worker Visa, formerly known as the tier 2 visa. The Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK for an eligible job with the NHS. The United Kingdom (UK) offers a range of visa options for those who want to visit, work, or live in the country. In this blog, we’ve covered everything you need to know about UK’s Priority Visa Service:
What is the Priority Visa Service?
The Priority Visa Service is a premium service offered by the UK government that expedites visa application processing. Under this, the applicants can have their visas processed within five working days, as opposed to the standard processing time, which can take several weeks. This service is available for various visa categories, including visitor, work, and family visas.
Who is eligible for the Priority Visa Service?
The Priority Visa Service is available to all eligible visa applicants, regardless of their nationality or the purpose of their visit to the UK. This could be due to urgent travel plans, business commitments, or other circumstances that require a quick turnaround.
How does the Priority Visa Service work?
You can choose the ‘priority service’ when you apply for your visa. You must pay £500 over and above the standard application fee. The fee for this service varies depending on the type of visa being applied for and the country of origin.
The applicants must complete the visa application form and provide all required documents, such as a passport, bank statements, and proof of their intended activities in the UK. Once the application is complete and submitted to the UK visa processing center, along with a fee for the Priority Visa Service, they will then prioritise the application and aim to issue the visa within five working days.
When & where to apply
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before starting work in the UK. This date is written on your certificate of sponsorship. You must prove your identity and provide the required documents for your application.
Where you choose to apply depends entirely on where you are:
- inside the UK and switching from a different visa
- inside the UK and extending your current visa
- outside the UK and are coming to the UK
Your visa can last for up to 5 years; however, upon its expiration or in case you switch jobs then, you might need to extend or update your visa. After five years, you may be eligible to apply to settle permanently in the UK. This will give you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like and apply for additional benefits if you’re eligible.
The Priority Visa Service is a valuable option for those needing their visas quickly processed. With expedited processing times, applicants can now have their visas in hand within a few days, allowing them to confidently make travel plans or attend to their business commitments. So, if you are relocating to the UK, it might be worth opting for the Priority Visa Service.
How can Remedium help you with your relocation process?
The entire process of relocating and filling out endless documents can be overwhelming. However, when you accept a job through Remedium, you will have a helping hand to guide you and provide you with information and support throughout every step of your journey.
We have supported over 3000+ doctors like you to make a move before. Our dedicated team of onboarding experts will help you apply for your visa, secure flights and accommodation, set up a bank account, and much more.
If you’re looking for a new position as a doctor in the NHS, please register with us and upload your CV today.
