Petition · past parliament
Scrap the cap on international doctors being allowed to work in the NHS
Closed
3,320 signatures
What the petition asks
We call for the removal of visa restrictions preventing international doctors from working in the UK. Since Dec 2017 over 1500 visa applications from doctors who have secured NHS jobs have been refused. Meanwhile 100s of posts are vacant, waiting times are rising and patient safety is under threat.
Denying doctors who have secured jobs in the NHS from entering the UK does not make sense. Hospitals are wasting money on recruitment and are being forced to cover shifts with locum doctors - if they can find them.
Gaps in rotas mean doctors are juggling large numbers of patients and stress among the profession is rising.
International doctors are ready to work in the NHS. Scrap the cap and let them take up their posts.
https://www.bmj.com/scrap-the-cap
Gaps in rotas mean doctors are juggling large numbers of patients and stress among the profession is rising.
International doctors are ready to work in the NHS. Scrap the cap and let them take up their posts.
https://www.bmj.com/scrap-the-cap
Timeline
| 29 May 2018 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 29 Nov 2018 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
3,320
Status
Closed
Opened
29 May 2018
Closed
29 Nov 2018
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.