The Border & Immigration Agency update and change their policies twice a year and the most recent changes took place on 31 March 2009. Some of these changes impact on the use of Tier 1 (Post Study Work) and Tier 2 general for pre-registration trainee pharmacists – see below:

1. Tier 1 (Post study work) – This option is no longer available for OSPAP graduates (since 31st March 2009).

2. Tier 2 (general) – From 31st March 2009 a new requirement to advertise jobs for 2 weeks on Job Centre Plus (JCP) is required to meet the resident labour market test before the employer can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Please note that as NHS pre-registration trainee pharmacist is on the shortage occupation list it is not necessary to advertise on JCP because the employer does not need to carry out a resident labour market test. For other NHS jobs that are not shortage occupations – please note that NHS jobs has a daily automatic download to JCP and therefore all jobs advertised via NHS jobs are automatically advertised on JCP.

3. – We have had a number of enquiries from students (due to start their pre-registration training in 2009) expressing concern that postal applications for a grant of leave under Tier 1 (post study work) or Tier 2 general take approximately 6 weeks to process. Students cannot start their pre-registration training until they have obtained a grant of leave. If a student needs to provide proof of qualifications as evidence for their application, they will need to be organised and obtain an academic transcript as soon as they know that they have been awarded their qualification. We would suggest that the student informs their university in advance if an academic transcript is needed as this may speed up the process at the university. They may also consider using one of the public enquiry offices (PEO) where they can make an application in person. (This new service was introduced in March 2009). To use a PEO the student will need to make an appointment in advance. The PEO option is more expensive but may mean that the student obtains their grant of leave quicker than postal applications. For further information on using a PEO to make an application see http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact/applyinginperson/beforeyouarrive/

More details can be found on our FAQs for students http://www.pharmalife.co.uk/prr/page_help.php and FAQs for employers http://www.pharmalife.co.uk/prr/page_help_emp.php .