UK GMC registration, by country of qualification
As of July 2026, an internationally-qualified doctor who wants to practise in the UK must hold registration with a licence to practise from the General Medical Council (GMC) — obtained through the PLAB examination or a recognised postgraduate qualification — plus English-language evidence and, for non-UK/Irish citizens, a Health and Care Worker visa. The route depends on your country and qualifications, not your nationality.
Pick your country of qualification for a plain-English guide to the GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, the Certificates of Good Standing you need, the visa, and what NHS grades actually pay.
Choose your country of qualification
Africa & Middle East
Doctors qualified in Egypt
GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, good standing, the visa, and NHS pay — for Egyptian-qualified doctors.
Read the guide →Doctors qualified in Jordan
GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, good standing, the visa, and NHS pay — for Jordan-qualified doctors.
Read the guide →Asia
Doctors qualified in Philippines
GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, good standing, the visa, and NHS pay — for Philippine-qualified doctors.
Read the guide →Doctors qualified in Sri Lanka
GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, good standing, the visa, and NHS pay — for Sri Lankan-qualified doctors.
Read the guide →Doctors qualified in Malaysia
GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, good standing, the visa, and NHS pay — for Malaysian-qualified doctors.
Read the guide →EEA & EU
Doctors qualified in Germany
GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, good standing, the visa, and NHS pay — for German-qualified doctors.
Read the guide →Doctors qualified in France
GMC route, specialty registration, English evidence, good standing, the visa, and NHS pay — for French-qualified doctors.
Read the guide →Looking for a country not listed here? See the India → UK doctor pathway or the corridor guides on the main UK doctor pathway hub (EEA & EU and Gulf).
The route in brief
Whatever your country, the shape is the same: confirm your GMC route, meet the knowledge-and-skills requirement, evidence your English, gather your Certificates of Good Standing, then apply and arrange the right to work.
Confirm your GMC route
Contact the General Medical Council (gmc-uk.org) to confirm which registration route your primary medical qualification and any postgraduate qualifications support — the PLAB examination, a recognised postgraduate qualification, or specialist/GP registration.
Meet the knowledge and skills requirement
Complete the route the GMC confirms — for example, passing both parts of the PLAB examination, or holding a postgraduate qualification the GMC accepts.
Evidence your English
Provide the English-language evidence the GMC accepts for your circumstances — usually IELTS Academic or OET, or evidence that your qualification was taught and examined in English. Confirm current thresholds on gmc-uk.org.
Gather Certificates of Good Standing
Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Current Professional Status) from every medical regulator you have been registered with in the last five years.
Apply to the GMC and arrange the right to work
Submit your GMC application with your evidence. If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, secure the right to work — typically a Skilled Worker (Health and Care Worker) visa with a Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer (gov.uk).
This is general information, not recruitment. As a matter of policy Gera provides information only and does not actively recruit from countries on the WHO 2023 Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List. Confirm every requirement, fee, and timeline on the official GMC website (gmc-uk.org) and gov.uk.
Earn as a remote doctor while you register
GeraClinic is a telemedicine platform for licensed doctors. See patients online, set your own hours and fees, and get paid fast — from wherever you are registered today. Free to apply.