For Locums
FINDING LOCUM WORK
Overview
See how we help find you your perfect locum
How Messly works
A step-by-step guide to using Messly
Browse Jobs
See what locum jobs are available
Resources for locum doctors
The Locum Hub
POPULAR
Our top resources for finding locum work
Compare Locum Agencies
See ratings and testimonials of locum agencies
Locum Salary Calculator
POPULAR
See how much you can earn as a locum
Locum Rates Breakdown
Learn how much you can earn as a locum doctor
The Locum Academy
NEW
Rapid answers to common locum questions
The Locum Toolkit
Useful resources, services and tools for locums
Need help?
Contact Us
For F3s
For f3 doctors
F3 Hub
All our best F3 resources in one place
F3 Options
Learn about your best options for F3
How To Write The Perfect F3 CV
Our top tips for CV writing for F3s
The F3 Workbook
Our workbook to help you plan your F3
Guide To Australia
Read our Down Under guide
For Trainees
For trainees
Training Navigator
Discover the best-ranked FP rotations
Foundation Training Guides
All our guides and breakdowns for FT
Blog
Hiring Doctors
HIRING DOCTORS
For Locum Agencies
Get active locum doctors on-demand
For Healthcare Organisations
Great doctors for your business
Speak to our team
Contact Us
More
MORE
Portfolio Companion
NEW
How to structure and build your portfolio
About Us
Learn about the team behind Messly
Contact Us
Get in touch with our team
Login
Register
Login
Register
December 2022
April 26, 2019

Working in the UK as an International Doctor (IMG)

What are the steps you need to complete to work in the UK? Here are the options available to work or train as an international medical graduate (IMG).

What steps do I need to take?

On average, this is a 15 month process. We’ve outlined each step and provided links to the official sources for further information.

  1. A valid and verified primary medical qualification –  Not sure whether your qualification is valid? Double check on General Medical Council website. An EEA country or Switzerlandor non-EEA. It may require independent verification (via EPIC verification).
  2. English Language skills – speaking, reading, writing and listening ability must be demonstrated. This is to ensure your patients’ wellbeing is not at risk. This can be demonstrated by passing IELTS/OETS (International English Language Testing System/Occupational English Test).
  3. PLAB1 exam – This tests your medical ability. The PLAB1 is a 180 multiple choice paper involving clinical scenarios, which you are given 3 hours to complete. For more information about the PLAB1 and booking it, click here.
  4. PLAB2 exam – This is the 2nd part of the PLAB exams, and involves (with the requirement of a UK Visa) coming to the UK to sit. It is an in-person exam, and you are tested on your clinical skills. For more information about the PLAB2 and booking it, click here. For information on UK Visas for the PLAB2, click here.
  5. GMC Registration – Once you’ve passed your PLAB2, you can apply for a GMC license to practice in the UK. They will ask you to provide evidence of your qualifications, internship and fitness to practice (including criminal history, previous convictions/cautions and more). For more information and to start this process, click here.
  6. Finding & Applying for a UK – On average, from completing your PLAB2 to getting a , it can take 2 months.
  7. If you’re not a consultant and looking to work in the UK, we recommend applying first for a non-training role in at your grade (FY2, SHO or Registrar  depending on your seniority) before entering a training programme.
  8. If you are a consultant, you can check your eligibility for getting a consultancy here.

Messly’s Opinion

In our experience the greatest blockers an international applicant faces are their language skills and the cultural shock of working in the UK.

Language skills – we recommend refining your English language skills, as they will increase your chances of getting a job by improving your confidence and communication skills in the application process. There are free learning tools online, and we suggest those with strong speaking and listening components.

Culture shock – medicine is an incredibly demanding profession. The toll of moving away from one’s friends and family, as well as the stress of the job, in a country you are not familiar with, is not to be underestimated. There are support systems available for IMGs. Ask your hospital and search on sites such as Facebook. Take a look at our article on Wellbeing for Doctors here.

NHS international staff
Infogram

Want to go straight into a training job?

The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) is a national scheme designed to allow a small number of doctors from outside the EU to enter the UK for a maximum of 24 months, so that they can benefit from training and development in NHS services before returning to their home countries. This provides entry to the UK on a Tier 5 visa.

Through the MTI, trainee doctors from countries outside the European Union are offered the opportunity to learn from experienced consultants within the UK national health system. The scheme prioritises applications from Department for International Development (DfID) priority countries or World Bank Low Income and Lower Middle Income Countries (LI & LMI).

For more information on MTI, please click here.

Tagged:
No items found.

Find locum work on your terms

The best locum agencies together in one place, competing to find you the best locum shifts. Managed for free through your Messly account.

GET STARTED
Messly
view All Posts
SIMILAR Posts
Interviews
How to Nail Your Interview in Australia as a UK Junior Doctor
Interviews
Working as a Private Locum GP with Dr Patel
Interviews
My life as an Emergency Medicine SHO
Interviews
Working in the UK as an International Doctor (IMG)
POSTS BY TaGS
AHPRA
Australia
Doctor
ED
F3
Featured
Foundation Training
ICU
Lifestyle
Locum
MCNZ
Medical Training
New Zealand
Podcast
Trainee Doctor
Year Abroad
Subscribe
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
More Posts

You Might Also Like

Interviews
How to Nail Your Interview in Australia as a UK Junior Doctor
Feb 21, 2023
 by 
Chris Kurwie
Interviews
Working as a Private Locum GP with Dr Patel
Feb 2, 2022
 by 
Messly
Interviews
My life as an Emergency Medicine SHO
Sep 25, 2019
 by 
Messly
Interviews
Working in the UK as an International Doctor (IMG)
Apr 26, 2019
 by 
Messly
Interviews
My life as a Psychiatry Registrar
Jan 25, 2019
 by 
Messly
Interviews
My life as a ST6 in Paediatrics
Oct 28, 2018
 by 
Messly

126 New Kings Road
London
SW6 4LZ
‍
T: 020 4525 5373
E: 
support@messly.co.uk

For Locums
OverviewKey FeaturesThe Locum HubThe Locum AcademyLocum Salary CalculatorCompare AgenciesThe Locum ToolkitChangelog
For Trainees
Training NavigatorFoundation Guides
For F3s
The F3 HubYour F3 OptionsWrite The Perfect CVThe F3 WorkbookChangelog
Hiring Doctors
For AgenciesFor Organisations
More
The Messly BlogThe Journal ClubAbout UsContact UsLoginChangelog
Get The App:
© 2022 Berdroot Developments Limited
Made with ❤️ in London