Employers are required to consider all applications for medical posts using the same criteria. However, they must take account of the immigration status of all candidates from outside the European Economic Area and, where relevant, should only appoint those doctors who require a work permit if there are no suitable applicants from the EEA.
Since April 2006, doctors from outside the EEA have had to meet the requirements of one of the categories of the immigration rules that allows employment. This is in line with the rules for other professions.