Employment Requirements

Overseas doctors planning to visit UK for training are generally advised to prepare themselves and start enquires well in advance as it often takes 6months – 1 year to complete the requirements.


The general requirements for any training post in UK include the following:

1. Immigration requirements
2. GMC registration
3. Employment contract
4. Health clearance /Occupational health check-up
5. Police verification

Immigration requirements

These are discussed separately under the immigration regulations page.

GMC registration

This is an essential requirement for starting any training post in UK. Often this is a limited registration for the employment. By the end of 2 years, trainees can apply for full registration, and this often requires support by 4-6 referees.

At the moment completion of the English language test, IELTS is an essential requirement for this.

An overseas doctor can apply for GMC registration by the following methods.

1. After passing the PLAB exam
2. After passing the FRCS/MRCS exam (which provides exemption to PLAB)
3. Directly if they are appointed by the Royal College under the Overseas Doctors Training Scheme (ODTS). This is often organised through the Programme Director of each region.
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