Blogs > NHS Recruitment Process

What to expect after getting an NHS Offer letter | What happens next?

• November 18, 2021

You have been prepped for your interview, then been given some glowing feedback… now you have received an offer letter! What happens next? What documents do you now need to prepare? After you have signed your NHS offer letter, you will need to organise and collate a number of documents, to allow the hospital to apply for your CoS and in turn, you can then go ahead and apply for your Health and care worker visa.

What documents do I need to send to the hospital before they can apply for my CoS?

1. References 

A minimum of two references is expected. Most NHS hospitals will ask for your references contact details and they will then contact them on your behalf requesting the reference. Alternatively, if the NHS hospital asks you, personally, to provide the references, ask your Consultant to provide you with one on your hospital’s letter headed paper, or normal paper with a hospital stamp and the reference should confirm your employment and dates of employment. However, each NHS Trust is different, so confirm what the HR department needs from you.

2. Proof of Address 

A minimum of two different proof of address’ is needed. Examples include a bank statement or a utility bill. The letter should clearly state your full name, address and it should be dated within the last three months. Please note, this address must be the same that will be used for your CoS application and your Tier 2 visa application.

3. A Certificate of Good Standing 

You will need certificates for each medical council you have been registered with over the last 5 years.

4. A copy of your passport

5. Your Police Clearance Certificate

You’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in for a total of 12 months or more over the last 10 years. Please note, this is also needed for any Tier 2 dependents over the age of 18

6. Evidence of your GMC Registration stage

If you have attended your ID check, you will need to provide the NHS Trust evidence of your license to practice. If you are waiting to attend your ID check, you will need to provide the Trust with the email evidence of your invitation.

7. IELTS UKVI or UKNARIC certificate

After you have collated the above documents, your NHS Trust can now apply for your CoS. Please note, your CoS MAY come back in a matter of days, as doctors and nurses on a Health and care worker visas can now be applied for as unrestricted. However, this is dependent on the HR department successfully making the application.

My CoS has been issued, what do I do now?

Once your CoS has been correctly issued, with all the information printed correctly – you now apply for your Health and Care Worker visa!

What documents do I need to apply for my Health and Care Worker visa?

A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) – you have three months from the date it is issued to apply for your Health and care worker visa.

Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate, if your country is listed here

Police Clearance Certificate - You’ll need a certificate from any country you’ve stayed in for a total of 12 months or more over the last 10 years. Please note, this is also needed for any Tier 2 dependents over the age of 18.

Proof of English Knowledge – This can be evidenced via a valid OET, IELTS Academic, IELTS Academic UKVI or a UKNARIC certificate.

Maintenance – If your hospital has not ticked “Y” on the Maintenance box on your CoS, you will need to evidence that you have £945 in your account for the last 90 days prior to your application, Please note, your dependents will also need £630 in their personal account for the same period of time.

 

I have submitted my online Health and care Worker visa application, what do I do next?

When you submit your documents, you will be asked to select a date to attend your local biometrics appointment. Please take all of the above documentation with you to be verified. At the appointment, your fingerprints will be taken along with your passport which will then be returned in the post.

Once your passport has been returned back to you, it will contain your travel vignette which will state the valid dates you can travel on.

I have arrived in the UK, what do I do?

After you have organised your accommodation (temporary or permanent), you will need to do the following:

• Attend your GMC ID check, if necessary
• Collect your BRP from your local post office
• Attend the police station within 7 days of arriving in the UK
• Attend your occupational health appointment (this must be cleared before you can start your NHS post)
• Attend your ID check with your hospital’s HR department
• Set up a UK bank account
• Attend your induction/shadowing period

BDI Resourcing’s Relocation Executive’s top tips to ensure a successful relocation:

1. Organise your documents from as early as possible. For example, it is important to bear in mind that your Police Clearance Certificate will take longer to obtain than other documents, so, try and get the process started as early as possible.

2. Respond to the hospital’s requests from as early as possible.

3. Research your new UK location, it is important to familiarise yourself with your new UK home. This can include local schools, activities, nice areas to live and transportation!

Relocation to the UK

If you are an international doctor who needs support securing your first NHS post, email your CV to [email protected] and we would love to support you on your journey to the UK.

IMG Advisor

Are you a member of our Facebook group? When you join IMG Advisor, you join a community of doctors all looking to relocate to the UK and join the NHS. We post a series of vlogs and blogs to the group every day. We will also be on hand to answer all of your relocation queries.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel! We numerous videos on everything you need to know about relocating to the UK and joining the NHS!

Listen to BDI Resourcing on the go to IMG Advisor the Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Buzzsprout. We have a number of episodes with tips and advice on relocating to the UK and the routes you can take to achieve this.

Finally do follow us on Instagram @BDIResourcing.