Eligibility

This page explains the requirements you must meet if you wish to apply to come to the United Kingdom to undertake a clinical attachment or dental observation post.

If you are currently in the United Kingdom under a different immigration category you should also read the information on switching.

Clinical attachment or dental observation post

In order to come to the United Kingdom to take a clinical attachment or dental observation post you must:

• be a graduate from a medical or dental school; and
• intend to undertake a clinical attachment or dental observation post in the United Kingdom; and
• be able provide documentary evidence of the clinical attachment or dental observation post, which will be:
  • unpaid; and
  • involve only observation and not the treatment of patients; and
• not intend to take employment in the United Kingdom; and
• not intend to produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including the selling of goods or services direct to members of the public; and
• not intend to undertake a course of study; and
• be able to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without the use of public funds or employment; and
• be able to meet the cost of the return or onward journey.; and
• intend to leave the United Kingdom when your permission to stay expires, unless you have been given permission to stay as:
  • a postgraduate doctor or trainee general practitioner; or
  • a work permit holder.

Public funds are income-related benefits paid by the state. They include income support, income-based job seekers allowance, housing and homelessness assistance, housing and council tax benefit, working families' tax credit, a social fund payment, child benefit and any disability allowance. Benefits paid as a result of contributions, such as the state pension, are not considered to be public funds. Social housing is not considered to be a public fund either. Claiming public funds when you are not eligible is known as benefit fraud and it is a criminal offence.