Country Guide
United Kingdom
The UK's healthcare system is regulated on a UK-wide basis: doctors register with the General Medical Council (GMC) and nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Both are the sole legal gateways to practise in the NHS or private UK healthcare.
Doctors Track
General Medical Council (GMC)
Pathways to registration
- PLAB route: the most common path for IMGs. Requires passing PLAB 1 (180-question written exam) and PLAB 2 (18-station OSCE in Manchester), plus at least 12 months of completed internship.
- Portfolio Pathway (CESR-linked): for experienced specialists with 6+ years of postgraduate experience; involves a documented portfolio rather than sitting exams.
- Your medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools; the GMC verifies your degree directly with the awarding institution.
IELTS Academic (7.5 overall, 7.0 in each component) or OET Medicine, per current GMC evidence requirements.
Indicative fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full registration with licence to practise | £408 |
| Newly qualified doctor discount | £157 |
| 50% fee reduction (earning under £32,000/year) | Available |
| PLAB 1 exam fee | £239 |
| PLAB 2 exam fee (Manchester) | £922 |
From starting PLAB preparation to receiving a GMC number: 12–24 months. The GMC processes a complete application within 4–6 weeks. The Portfolio Pathway typically takes 18–36 months.
Nurses & Midwives Track
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Test of Competence (ToC)
Pathway steps
- 1Computer-Based Test (CBT): a 120-question multiple-choice knowledge exam, sat in your home country. Valid for 2 years once passed.
- 2Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): a 10-station practical exam sat in the UK at one of five approved NMC test centres. Includes 4 skills-based stations, 4 APIE stations, and 2 silent-skills stations.
IELTS Academic (7.0 overall, minimum 6.5 in writing) or OET (three B grades and a C+ in writing).
Indicative fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Computer-Based Test (CBT) | £83 |
| Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) | £794 |
| Registration fee (entry to NMC register) | £153 |
| Core regulatory total | £1,030 |
Employed nurses typically have up to 12 weeks from their Certificate of Sponsorship start date to sit their first OSCE attempt, during which they may legally work as a pre-registration candidate under supervision.
Visa Route
Health and Care Worker visa
- Covers doctors, nurses, and most other regulated health professions sponsored by an NHS Trust, NHS supplier, or CQC-registered adult social care provider.
- Application fee (from 8 April 2026): £324 for visas up to 3 years; £628 for longer.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: fully exempt — a saving of £1,035 per person, per year of visa length, versus the standard Skilled Worker visa.
- Salary threshold: the higher of £25,000/year, £12.82/hour, or the published NHS Agenda for Change going rate for the specific role.
- Settlement: 5-year continuous residence route to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Quick Overview
Doctor regulator
GMC
Nurse regulator
NMC
Core exams
PLAB 1 & 2 / CBT & OSCE
Key visa route
Health and Care Worker visa