Are you interested in working as a doctor in the UK, but completed your medical degree overseas? You must apply for GMC registration for overseas doctors. If you meet the eligibility requirements, GMC may approve your application and offer you a license to work provisionally, part-time, or full-time as a doctor.
In this blog, we give you the eligibility requirements and GMC registration process in detail, along with fees and timelines to help you with your career goals.
Why Overseas Doctors Need GMC Registration in the UK
The General Medical Council (GMC) issues the license to practise medicine to all doctors in the UK. Only licensed doctors are allowed to write prescriptions, treat patients, and sign death certificates.
Whether you want to work with the NHS or in an independent healthcare facility, you need GMC registration. This is applicable for all who wish to work full-time or part-time, permanent or on a locum basis.
The GMC ensures, through the license, that the doctors follow the prescribed good medical practice guidelines and adhere to the GMC Fitness to Practise actions. This registration is mandatory for all levels of doctors, such as provisional, general practitioner, or specialist.
If doctors have GMC registration, but don’t have a license, they may work as academics or outside the UK. They cannot, however, do any clinical work in the UK without a license.
Those who have never registered with the GMC must apply for registration and a license to practise. In the next section, let’s understand the eligibility requirements for GMC registration.
Eligibility and GMC Registration Requirements for Overseas Doctors
The eligibility requirement for GMC registration depends on multiple aspects, such as:
- Nationality of the applicant
- Country in which the applicant obtained the primary medical qualification
- Type of work the doctor wants to perform in the UK
- Completion of post-graduate training or an applicable internship
The eligibility requirements for GMC registration for overseas doctors are:
- Primary Medical Qualification: Doctors must have a recognised medical degree. Whether you studied medicine in the UK or overseas, the GMC expects you to meet the primary medical qualification criteria. The GMC takes additional measures to verify overseas qualifications. Doctors who studied overseas may need to provide additional evidence to avoid rejection. Many candidates face rejection if they completed a primary medical qualification in one of the universities, not approved by the GMC.
- English Language Proficiency: Overseas doctors must demonstrate their English proficiency. GMC expects you to score a minimum of 7.0 in each testing area and an overall score of 7.5 with the IELTS academic test. GMC also accepts the OET medical version of the test with at least a B grade in each testing area. These tests are also required for applying for a UK visa.
- Internship or Clinical Experience: Overseas doctors must have completed an internship equivalent to UK standards. This can be proof that you have the clinical skills required to be a doctor in the UK.
- Qualification Verification: Those who are qualified at a medical school and do not have provisional registration must complete ECFMG verification through the online EPIC service.
GMC has established these eligibility requirements to ensure that the overseas doctors have the education and skills to practice as clinical doctors in the UK hospitals.
GMC Registration Routes Explained
Depending on your educational background and experience, you can apply for GMC registration through different routes.
PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) Route
This is the most common route for overseas doctors without a recognised postgraduate qualification. Overseas doctors must complete the PLAB 1 written exam, which contains multiple-choice questions. PLAB 2 is a practical, objective structured clinical exam (OSCE).
Within two years of passing PLAB 1, you must take PLAB 2. Each part can be attempted up to 4 times. One final fifth attempt is allowed if you show evidence of additional training. Doctors following the PLAB route must pass both PLAB 1 and 2 before they can apply for GMC registration.
Postgraduate Qualification Route
Doctors who have a postgraduate medical qualification from the RCP, MRCS, or other universities recognised by the GMC may be eligible for full registration without PLAB. This, however, depends on specific qualifications and their compliance with UK standards.
Sponsorship Route
Doctors can apply for GMC registration through the sponsored route. To qualify for this route, you must hold an acceptable primary medical qualification and be selected for postgraduate training by a UK medical royal college, faculty, postgraduate institution, or one of the approved sponsors. It may also be applicable for those who have practised medicine for 3 out of the last 5 years, including the last 12 months.
The steps for preparation, cost, and timeline vary based on the registration route you are eligible for. Overseas doctors must make the right choice to avoid unnecessary costs and tests.
Step-by-Step Overview of the GMC Registration Process
Regardless of the route you choose to follow, the GMC registration process for overseas doctors is basically similar:
- Check the acceptability of the qualification: First, ensure that the medical degree you have is acceptable as per GMC standards. You can find an online tool on the GMC’s official website to check this.
- Ensure language requirements: Complete IELTS or OET tests and secure the necessary minimum scores.
- Prepare documents: GMC requires you to submit evidence of a medical degree, internship, clinical experience, and certificates of good standing. Collect all the required documents in English.
- Submit documents: GMC requires you to upload all the required documents to the EPIC verification system. Only verified documents will be accepted.
- Take required exams: If you follow the PLAB route, take the necessary tests.
- Apply for GMC registration online: Once you meet all the prerequisite conditions, submit your application through the GMC online account. Provide supporting evidence wherever necessary.
Once you complete the registration process, GMC will conduct identity verification. Only after verification, GMC offers provisional or full registration based on your eligibility.
Now that you know the steps involved in getting registration, let’s understand the fees and time it takes to get GMC registration.
GMC Registration Fee for Overseas Doctors and Timelines (2026)
The GMC registration fee varies based on the type of registration you seek. The fees for 2026 are given below:
| Fees to join the register | Effective from 01-Apr-26 |
|---|---|
| Application for provisional registration with a licence to practise | £26.00 |
| Application for full registration with a licence to practise | £481.00 |
| Application for full registration with a licence to practise for a temporary period for a visiting eminent specialist | £481.00 |
| Scrutiny fee if your application to join the register is refused, closed or withdrawn | £110.00 |
In addition to the above fees, doctors who take the PLAB route must pay PLAB test fees of £283.00 for Part 1 and £1,036.00 for Part 2. The GMC registration timeline varies for overseas doctors based on their eligibility and route chosen.
Final Summary and Next Steps
GMC registration is a multi-stage process, which begins with checking qualification requirements, choosing the right route, taking the necessary exam, verifying documents, and finally applying for a full or provisional license with the GMC. Once registered, overseas doctors get varied opportunities to work in the UK healthcare system. Choose the right pathway that aligns with your career goals, experience, and timeline needs.
If you wish to pursue opportunities to work as a doctor in the UK after GMC registration, explore GP Locum jobs in Wolverhampton that offer flexibility and valuable NHS experience.
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References:
- https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/join-our-registers/before-you-apply-guide-for-doctors/evidence-of-your-knowledge-of-english/using-your-oet-certificate
- https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/managing-your-registration/fees-and-funding/fees-for-doctors
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