Visa reforms cause training confusion
4 February 2013
Complex changes to visa rules mean overseas graduates of UK medical schools do not have clear information on their future training prospects, the BMA insists.
The association maintains that changes to government immigration policy should not prevent these graduates from accessing a clear pathway to medical training.
In a briefing for peers ahead of a parliamentary debate this week, the association calls for acknowledgement of the role that highly skilled migrants such as doctors have in delivering public services, including the NHS.
BMA international committee chair Terry John said overseas students contributed greatly to medical schools in terms of diversity and financially.
He said: ‘It would be a great shame to see the visa rules discourage these students from studying in the UK, but it is dishonest for the UK to continue to claim that these rules have not had a negative impact on the future career prospects of these students.’
Story so far