Do doctors need to pass the PLAB test to work in the UK?

Most international medical graduates need to pass the PLAB test (Parts 1 and 2) to register with the GMC, unless they hold a qualification recognised by the GMC or have relevant postgraduate qualifications. Some doctors may qualify through alternative routes like the CESR pathway.

What salary do doctors need for the Skilled Worker visa?

Doctors on the Health and Care Worker visa benefit from a lower salary threshold. NHS pay scales for doctors generally exceed the minimum requirements. The exact threshold depends on the going rate for your specific medical role.

Do doctors pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?

No. Doctors applying through the Health and Care Worker route are exempt from the IHS. This is a significant saving over the visa period.

Can overseas doctors bring their family?

Yes. Doctors on the Skilled Worker/Health and Care Worker visa can bring their spouse, partner, and children as dependants. Dependants generally have unrestricted work rights.

Skilled Worker Visa for Doctors: UK Guide 2026

Overseas doctors can work in the UK through the Health and Care Worker visa route, which offers reduced fees and IHS exemption. GMC registration is mandatory and typically requires passing PLAB tests. The NHS provides structured career pathways for international medical graduates.

The Health and Care Worker Route

Doctors come to the UK on the Health and Care Worker visa, a variant of the Skilled Worker visa with specific benefits:

Reduced visa application fees.
Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Lower salary thresholds.

NHS Trusts and other healthcare employers must hold a sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship.

GMC Registration

Professional registration with the General Medical Council is mandatory. The typical route for international medical graduates involves:

PLAB 1: A multiple-choice exam testing medical knowledge. Can be taken overseas.
PLAB 2: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) taken in the UK at the GMC's assessment centre in Manchester.
GMC registration: After passing both parts, apply for registration with a licence to practise.

Some doctors may be exempt from PLAB if they hold recognised postgraduate qualifications or come through specific routes. Check the GMC website for details.

Career Pathways

International doctors in the NHS typically follow one of several pathways:

Foundation training: Some international graduates enter the foundation programme.
Specialty training: Apply through competitive selection for specialty registrar posts.
Locally employed doctors: Work as a trust-grade or clinical fellow, often while preparing for specialty training applications.
CESR route: The Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration allows experienced overseas specialists to join the specialist register without UK training.

Salary and Finances

NHS doctors are paid on national pay scales. Junior doctors, specialty trainees, and consultants have different pay bands. Basic pay for a foundation doctor starts at approximately 32,000 pounds, increasing significantly with seniority and supplements for out-of-hours work.

The salary calculation for visa purposes uses your basic pay. NHS supplementary payments for unsocial hours may or may not count depending on how they are structured in your contract.

Path to Settlement

After 5 years on the Health and Care Worker route, you can apply for ILR. Many NHS doctors successfully settle in the UK and go on to apply for British citizenship.

Bringing Your Family

You can bring your dependants (spouse/partner and children). They can work without restriction and access the NHS through the IHS (or exemption if applicable).

Next Steps

If you are an overseas doctor, start with GMC registration. Take the PLAB tests and secure a job offer from an NHS employer with a sponsor licence.

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