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
On this page
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 you are 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 you are 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 leave the training programme to gain relevant experience and, for most circumstances, is not sponsored by HEE.
If you are on the HEE Future Leaders Programme within the UK
HEE must be responsible for the your day to day activities and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code will remains 2211.
Your sponsorship will not be affected and you will continue to be sponsored by HEE. The reporting form to be completed within 10 working days.
If a UK Trust will be responsible for the your day to day activities and you are on a Skilled Worker/Tier 2 visa
HEE will need to cancel your sponsorship and the Trust will need to sponsor you. When you return to training with HEE, HEE will sponsor you again.
If a UK Trust will be responsible for the your day to day activities and you have another visa
HEE will need to cancel your sponsorship. When you return to training with HEE, HEE will sponsor you again.
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 you are 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 you are 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. This could also be a period of ill health.
If you are 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.
If you are 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.
From 1 of January 2021 the cooling off period no longer applies.
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.
Page last reviewed: 25 January 2024
Next review due: 2 January 2025