Check visa and work rights

Visa category and work permission are separate questions

A visa may allow entry or study without allowing paid work, and a work visa may allow only the specific role and employer named in it. Observerships, research placements and clinical fellowships can fall into different categories in the same country. Ask which category the host has used for previous international fellows.

What to find out

1. Which visa or permit category applies to this role, and who applies for it: you, the host or a third-party sponsor?
2. Does the programme or host act as sponsor, and what are its conditions?
3. Does the category allow paid work, clinical contact or only observation?
4. How long does processing take, and which steps need an offer, registration or proof of funds?
5. Can dependants accompany you, and may they work or study?
6. Can the visa be extended or converted, and what happens if the placement ends early?
7. Are there health checks, biometrics or interview appointments, and where are they held?

How funding affects status

Whether you receive a salary, a stipend or a grant, and who pays it, can change which route applies. A grant or a travelling award may not be treated as employment, and employment may require a different permit. Confirm with the host and the immigration authority before you rely on any arrangement. See also planning the true cost of international training.

Plan the order of steps

Many visa steps depend on a written offer or a registration decision, and some depend on each other. Map the dependencies early and keep copies of every document. Avoid non-refundable bookings until the visa decision. The timeline guide shows a sequence.

Use official sources

Check requirements on the website of the immigration authority of the destination country, and use official contact details for questions. Immigration rules change, and programme coordinators are usually not immigration advisers. For complex situations, consider advice from a regulated immigration adviser in the destination country.

Related guides

• Understand licensing and registration
• International applicant guide
• Plan the true cost of international training