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There are several routes and overseas surgeon can take to GMC registration and securing an NHS surgery job.

Whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the General Medical Council (GMC) before beginning their journey in the NHS. As a surgeon, the criteria you need to meet depends on where you currently live and practice, either inside the EEA (& associated countries) or outside the EEA. 

This article is designed to give you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, no matter where in the world you live. With that in mind, we have outlined the process for both EEA doctors and Non-EEA doctors so follow the link below that is relevant to you!

Inside the EEA – click here

Outside the EEA – click here

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“Doctors from countries around the world play a vital and significant role in our NHS and in the delivery of safe patient care. This is not only welcome but is part of the continuous exchange of knowledge in healthcare and should be strongly encouraged. They make an invaluable contribution to the NHS.” 

Joint statement from the Royal College of Physicians

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Inside the EEA 

Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article this refers to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland & Norway. 

If you qualified as a surgeon inside the EEA or Switzerland, then the good news is that you don’t need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK – you have already done this, and thanks to the EU your qualification is deemed equivalent. 

In addition, you will not need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office. 

So, the main hurdle that you will face is demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely as a doctor in the UK & NHS. 

English Language Testing

Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language.

You can do this by passing either of the following:

• OET – Occupational English Test
• IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests: 

IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors

OET – a guide for overseas doctors

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GMC Registration

Having passed your English Language Test, you can now apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC.

For full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:

• Evidence of English language capabilities (IELTS or OET)

AND

• Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (your equivalent qualifications)

Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article: IMG Resources - GMC Registration for overseas doctors

Job search

We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for European surgeons in the NHS is ever-increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms! 

At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for European doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of surgery jobs than are readily available online. 

Our network extends to surgery services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans. 

In addition, your dedicated consultant, with a specialty knowledge of surgery, will negotiate on your behalf ensuring you get the most competitive salary. 

Our aim is to have a job offer on the table before your GMC registration is complete, giving you the peace of mind of having an agreed contract in place - leaving you to carefully plan your relocation to the UK.

Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search 

Relocation

Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.

Once you have secured your role in the UK, we focus on supporting you and your family with all your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help.

Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. Take a look here: IMG Resources – Relocation & UK Life

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Outside the EEA

If you qualified as a surgeon outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK. 

In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office. 

Here we summarise the requirements for surgery doctors, looking at the following:

• English Language Testing
• Evidence of Knowledge & Skills - PLAB, MRCS or equivalents
• Tier 2 Visas 
• Full GMC Registration

English Language Testing

Any international doctor, regardless of specialty, experience or country of origin, must demonstrate they have sufficient competence of the English language.

You can do this by passing either of the following:

• OET – Occupational English Test
• IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Take a look at our helpful articles below for detailed information on both tests: 

IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors

OET – a guide for overseas doctors

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Evidence of Knowledge & Skills in Surgery

Overseas surgeons must prove to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For surgeons this can be done through three main routes:

1. PLAB
2. Royal College qualification of MRCS
3. GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications

PLAB:

The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in surgery specifically. 

For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine. 

That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, surgeons can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS. 

Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB:

• PLAB – a guide for overseas doctors
• PLAB 1 – a closer look
• PLAB 2 – a closer look

Route 2 - Royal College Qualification:

Attaining a Royal College qualification is a preferred path for doctors who have already chosen their field of specialism i.e. surgery. 

For senior surgeons taking this route, they will gain access to more senior, well-paid jobs in the specialism of their choice. 

The Royal College of Surgeons is the Professional Body that regulates the specialism of surgery in the UK, and Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) is the full qualification attainable by examination.

For overseas doctors, attaining MRCS will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK surgery.

Take a look at our complete guide on Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons to understand more: MRCS – a guide for overseas doctors

GMC - recognised or equivalent qualifications:

Some overseas qualifications are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This means to say these qualifications are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.

There are surgery qualifications from several countries around the world that are currently accepted by the GMC. 

Find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC here: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications.

Tier 2 Visa

If you are a doctor applying from outside the EEA region you will almost certainly need to apply for a visa to work in the UK. 

Applying as a doctor or nurse has never been easier and there is currently no-restriction on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) applications that a hospital can make.

Furthermore, the list of specialties on the shortage occupation list is due for imminent review and expansion beyond its current list of specialties, potentially widening the scope for easier immigration processes across all specialties in healthcare.

Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa application process & documents needed

Wondering whether you can relocate with your family?

Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa: Tier 2 Dependant visa - can i bring my family with me to the UK?

GMC Registration

With everything in place, you can apply for full registration with a licence to practice with the GMC.

Remember, for full GMC registration you must provide evidence of:

• Evidence of English language capabilities

AND

• Evidence of sufficient skill and knowledge (PLAB, MRCS or equivalent)

Understand the registration process in full & by reading our article here: GMC Registration for overseas doctors

Job search

We recommend starting the job search as early as possible. Demand for Non-EEA surgeons in the NHS is increasing - the NHS welcomes you with open arms! 

At IMG Connect we specialise in securing jobs for overseas doctors in the UK and can offer you a wider range of jobs than is readily available online. 

Our network extends to surgery services and HR departments across the UK, so no matter what your grade or specialty we can ensure you will be interviewing for roles well in advance of any relocation plans. 

In addition, your 1-1 consultant, with a specialty knowledge of surgery, will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you get the most competitive salary. Giving you the peace of mind of agreeing your new contract, perhaps even before your GMC registration is complete. 

Take a look at our most recent jobs: Job Search

Relocation

Obviously, any doctor’s journey isn’t all exams, registrations and language tests… there’s also the small matter of relocation and settling into life in the UK.

Once you have secured your role in the UK, we will focus on supporting you and your family with all of your relocation plans. This can include, but is not exclusive to, securing accommodation, travel planning, setting up bank accounts & national insurance numbers – every step of the way we are here to help. 

Have a read through our IMG Library and take in all the beautifully organised information on relocation and UK life to immeasurably help your first days, weeks and months in the UK. Take a look here: IMG Resources – Relocation & UK Life

Brexit 

Many surgeons have questions about how the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) will affect doctors from outside the EEA already working in the UK, and those who may wish to work here in the future.

Whilst we are still pushing for a halt to Brexit, we've been keeping a close eye on policies and developments to ensure that we keep our doctors as up to date as possible. While we await more information from the UK Government about what our future relationship with Europe will look like, what is clear is that there are no current changes to immigration entry requirements for non-EEA doctors. 

Overseas doctors are most welcome in the NHS with or without Brexit… you are in demand and we will support with all the necessary requirements for entry to the UK. 

Take a look at our Brexit articles for more information: IMG Resources - Brexit

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