Supporting Scottish GP Practices to recruit international staff

Seraphus has been working with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to develop practical resources for GP practices so they can sponsor international medical graduates (IMGs). This work is part of our role as a delivery partner for Scotland’s Migration Service. Established by Scottish Government, the service supports individuals and Scottish employers so Scotland can continue to thrive as a progressive nation to welcome overseas workers.  

Recruiting international healthcare professionals is an increasingly important option for GP practices across Scotland. However, the process of becoming a licensed sponsor and applying for visas can seem daunting, particularly for practices with no prior experience.

To help address this, NES in partnership with Scotland’s Migration Service has launched a new GP Practice Visa Sponsorship Guide. Seraphus contributed to the development of this guide, which provides an overview of the steps involved in applying for a sponsor licence. The guide is designed to make the process clearer for practices considering sponsorship as a way to grow and sustain their workforce.

Alongside the guide, NES and Scotland’s Migration Service are hosting a webinar on 28 May 2025 on Sponsoring IMGs in your GP Practice. The session will explain how GP practices can apply for a sponsor licence and sponsor healthcare workers through the Health and Care visa route.

Seraphus will deliver the webinar, drawing on our legal expertise to provide insights and practical information. GP practices in Scotland can also benefit from our expertise by booking a free one-to-one appointment with one of our immigration lawyers.  

Register for Sponsoring IMGs in your GP Practice

This collaboration reflects our shared aim of making immigration processes more accessible for employers more broadly. By working together, we hope to ensure that GP practices are better equipped to meet recruitment challenges and can continue to deliver high-quality care in their communities.