Out of Programme (OOP) and your sponsorship

If considering going Out of Programme Guidance (OOP) you should consider the implications this may have on your sponsorship as the requirements vary on the different categories of OOP

Out of Programme Training (OOPT)

An Out of Programme Training (OOPT) is a period of time where training is still provided by HEE and HEE will usually remain responsible for your day-to-day activities.

If your period of OOP is within the UK

Your sponsorship will not be affected and you will continue to be sponsored by HEE. You must complete the reporting form to be completed within 10 working days.

If your period of OOP is outside of the UK

Your sponsorship will not be affected and you will continue to be sponsored by HEE. You must complete the reporting form to be completed within 10 working days.

It is imperative that HEE can still meet strict reporting and monitoring duties if you are outside of the UK. It is also advised that if you are considering OOPT outside of the UK, you review the Indefinite Leave to Remain requirements should you wish to use this route in the future as there are restrictions on how long a Skilled Worker/Tier 2 sponsored individual can be outside of the UK.

Out of Programme Experience (OOPE)

An Out of Programme Experience (OOPE) is where you gain relevant experience which can be alongside training or where you leave the training programme.

NHS England can maintain sponsorship where the below specific conditions are met for OOPEs
  • Part of the OOPE must count towards the training programme (recommended minimum 10%)
  • The NHS England team providing the OOPE must confirm they can maintain responsibility for the trainee's day to day activities to ensure that all relevant reporting and monitoring criteria to the UKVI can be completed
  • The trainee and/or the NHS England team providing the OOPE should report any change of circumstances (to include, but not limited to, change of location and job title) to the National Overseas Sponsorship Team
  • The trainee cannot carry out work or activities that are outside of their certificate of sponsorship or SOC Code (2211 'Medical Practitioner')
  • The minimum salary requirements for sponsorship must still be met
  • There is a secondment agreement in place between NHS England and the employer, but the main contractual arrangements remain with the current employer

If all the above conditions cannot be met, NHS England will not be able to sponsor for the duration of the OOPE. The National Overseas Sponsorship Team will notify the UKVI that training has ended/paused and therefore sponsorship will be ended. When the trainee returns to training NHS England can provide a new CoS to re-sponsor them.

Out of Programme Pause (OOPP)

Out of Programme Pause (OOPP) allows you to gain skills in other NHS work which may be able to count towards your training. 

If you undertake a OOPP a UK Trust will be responsible for your day-to-day activities. HEE will need to cancel your sponsorship and the Trust will need to sponsor you. When you return to HEE, HEE will sponsor you again.

Out of Programme Research (OOPR)

Out of Programme Research (OOPR) is a period of research. This could be studying for a Masters.

If your period of OOP is within the UK

HEE will need to cancel your sponsorship and the University will need to sponsor you. When you return to training with HEE, HEE will sponsor you again.

If your period of OOP is outside of the UK

HEE will need to cancel your sponsorship. When they return to training HEE, HEE will sponsor you again.

Out of Programme Career Break (OOPC)

Out of Programme Career Break (OOPC) is a period of time where you pursue other interests or take a break from training for a variety of reasons. 

If your period of OOP is within the UK

You will require another visa.

HEE will need to cancel your sponsorship. When you return to training with HEE, HEE will sponsor you again. Please see section below on ‘Returning to training after an OOP’.

If your period of OOP is outside of the UK

You will not need another visa.

HEE will need to cancel your sponsorship. When they return to training HEE, HEE will sponsor you again. Please see section below on ‘Returning to training after an OOP’.

Reporting OOP to the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

Where an OOP has been agreed and the above has been followed, it is critical that this information is sent to the HEE Overseas Sponsorship Team so that this can be reported to the UKVI. You must ensure that the Reporting Form has been completed within 5 working days of the change so that the Overseas Sponsorship Team can notify the UKVI.

Returning to training after an OOP

When you return to training, HEE will be able to provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (without the requirement for recruitment and so forth) so that you can apply for a further Skilled Worker visa. We advise you to contact the Overseas Sponsorship Team on [email protected] approximately 3 to 4 months before you are due to return to training. 

You will need a new Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and your new Skilled Worker Visa fully granted before you can return to training. If you have left the UK for your period of OOP it is likely you may need to apply for your new CoS from outside of the UK. If you are unsure, please contact the Overseas Sponsorship Team for further advice. 

Page last reviewed: 12 November 2024
Next review due: 12 November 2026