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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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General Practitioner in the UK is a challenging career, but it can be extremely rewarding. Both local and international medical graduates (IMGs) can become GPs in the UK. However, their pathways are different.

The medical school training for local graduates in the UK typically lasts between 4 to 7 years. IMGs who worked as GPs in another country can’t simply start working as GPs in the UK, but with GP training, they can do so.

This blog gives you clarity on how to become a GP in the UK for local and IMG candidates.

Who Is a General Practitioner (GP)?

A General Practitioner, or GP, is a doctor in England who provides day-to-day medical assistance to people of all ages. Generally, a person would report their illness to the GP first.

GPs in the UK take care of physical issues as well as the emotional well-being of their patients. A continuing care provider also takes care of patients with chronic diseases and refers patients to a specialist based on their needs.

If you are interested in becoming a GP in the UK, you must know what qualifications you need to be a GP.

Key Skills and Qualities of a GP

Some of the core skills expected from a GP are:

Clinical knowledge: The GP must know all about acute and long-term medical illnesses.
Communication: For a GP, communication is more than just talking. Actively listening to patients, asking the right questions, and explaining medical terms in simple words are some of the much-needed communication skills.
Empathy: A GP is expected to understand the patient’s world: their worries, context, and lifestyle. According to the RCGP curriculum, general practitioners provide ‘whole person medical care’.
Problem-solving: GPs deal with different types of patients. Their symptoms will sometimes be unclear or overlapping. GPs must know how to work around to make the right diagnosis and offer the right treatment with limited information.
Adaptability: The healthcare environment also changes fast, so being flexible helps.
Professionalism: Mistakes as a GP can have severe consequences, affecting not only the doctor but also patients and their families. You must follow the guidelines and act professionally at all times.
Teamwork: GPs don’t work in isolation. You will work with nurses, specialists, allied health professionals, and even social care. Communication across teams is key.

For skilled professionals who are interested in saving lives and working with people, the following section shows a clear pathway for becoming a GP in the UK.

GP Training UK Pathway: Step-by-Step Process

Here are the steps involved to become a GP in the UK. It can take up to 7 to 10 years to become a GP, but perseverance pays off in the future.

Step 1: Complete a Medical Degree

Getting an accredited medical degree is the first step. Typically, completing a medical degree itself takes 5-6 years in the UK, where you will study core sciences and clinical placements. After getting your medical degree, you may apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).

Step 2: Finish the Foundation Programme (FY1 & FY2)

As a part of medical training to become a GP, you must spend 2 years working in hospitals and community rotations (Foundation Year 1 & 2). This builds broad clinical experience. Only after completing this can you apply for GP speciality training.

Step 3: Apply for GP Speciality Training (GPST)

The GPST can take up to 3 years. During this training, you will learn about hospital and GP practice placements, log your learning in a portfolio, and follow the curriculum set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).

Step 4: Earn the MRCGP Qualification and GMC License

As a part of the training, you must pass the exams under the RCGP’s system. This is the MRCGP. Once you complete the training programs and pass the required assessments, you can apply for inclusion in the GP register with the GMC. GMC then completes its assessment and gives you a full license to practice as a GP in the NHS.

These steps are for a UK resident to become a GP. In the next section, let’s see how someone who completed their medical degree or worked as a GP in a foreign country can become a GP.

Pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

Non-UK medical graduates called IMGs can also become a GP, subject to the following requirements:

Get registered and licensed with the GMC

Registration with the GMC is the first requirement. You must hold a primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC. Foreign nationals also need to demonstrate English ability through IELTS/OET.

Demonstrate foundational experience

Before entering the GP training, you must show that you have appropriate experience and skills. For non-UK doctors, this may be evidence of a foundation-level competency or completion of a UK foundation equivalent. If you are an IMG, you may need a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Speciality Training (CREST) if you want to enter GP training.

Apply for GPST

Once you have shown proof that you have the basic medical knowledge and experience, you can apply for a 3-year GP training program. The selection process involves the determination of eligibility and the Multi-Speciality Recruitment Assessment (MSRA).

Apply to the RCGT for the GPST program

With successful training and based on the RCGT assessment, you become eligible for GP registration by the GMC.

For IMGs and experienced overseas GPs, alternate routes through the International Induction Programme (IIP) are available. These allow you to become a GP in the UK with the NHS without taking the full GPST program.

Challenges and Benefits of Being a GP in the UK

Before taking up the challenge of how to become a GP in the UK, consider the following challenges and benefits:

Challenges:

Relentless pace of work
Heavy workload due to additional administrative tasks
Budgets don’t always match the demand
Workforce shortages add to pressure
Practices may struggle with staffing, infrastructure, and support due to low funding

Some of the benefits of being a GP are:

A rewarding career where you help people from all walks of life with their health
Building relationships to become a trusted medical professional
More control of working hours compared to hospital doctors
Employment rights and benefits for UK GPs are strong
Opportunity to work in multiple settings, from urban to rural, to make a difference in your community

Final Thoughts

Becoming a GP in the UK requires commitment, consistent concentration, and a real passion for helping people throughout each phase of life.

From medical school to a full GMC license, each step in becoming a GP will build your confidence to undertake the work that has real meaning. This pathway also allows IMGs to have successful careers in the UK as GPs.

While the pathway is complex, it has its rewards as you play a central role in local healthcare. If you are ready, you can apply for the GP Locums Jobs in Wolverhampton to begin your career as a GP.