Who can apply for Out of Programme Pause?

Time out of programme (OOP) will not normally be agreed until a trainee has been in a NHSE approved training programme for at least one year of training (unless at the time of appointment, deferral of the start of the programme has been agreed for leave on statutory grounds). Trainees should have had at least one ARCP at which point they should be attaining the curriculum goals at a rate not requiring alteration of their initial CCT date, excepting where arrangements for LTFT have been put into place. These trainees will be eligible to apply for Out of Programme Pause. 

For those trainees on a tier 2 visa sponsored by NHSE, please be aware that upon undertaking an OOPP post, your visa sponsorship with NHSE will be cancelled and you will need to apply for sponsorship with your new employer whilst undertaking your OOPP placement. 

Upon returning to your training programme with NHSE you will need reapply for sponsorship to the NHSE Tier 2 team, you will not need to go through recruitment process again and can commence directly back into training. If you are considering any other immigration route other than Tier 2 while out on OOPP you are advised to contact the Tier 2 team (england.sponsorship@nhs.net ) before your sponsorship is withdrawn as you may be subject to a12 month cooling off period, set by the Home Office, before returning to training with NHSE.