The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has been informed by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), the national visa sponsor for the Medical Training Initiative (MTI), that its funding from NHS England to support Tier 5 (T5) visa sponsorship has been discontinued with effect from 31 March 2026.
As a result, applications for T5 visa sponsorship under the MTI scheme are being paused with immediate effect.
The RCP is working with partners to explore alternative options to secure an appropriate visa route for future MTI applicants. Further updates will be provided in due course.
In the interim, the RCP will continue to support applications for General Medical Council (GMC) registration sponsorship for doctors who intend to undertake MTI placements in the UK using an alternative visa route. The MTI scheme supports international medical graduates to undertake training in the UK, alongside facilitating GMC registration and visa processes.
This change does not affect doctors currently in post on MTI placements.
Doctors with active applications have been contacted directly with further information about the implications for their application.
For further information on the decision to discontinue funding for T5 visa sponsorship associated with the MTI scheme, please visit the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges website.