Medical and dental graduates seeking post-graduate training or further studies can normally gain entry to the UK on a Student Visa. It is also possible for those within the medical profession who are sitting exams to have obtained entry as a visitor, whereby having passed these exams they may change over to a training visa. As with all other categories of student visas, trainee doctors and dentists must meet a number of specific conditions. These are as follows:
- the doctor or dentist should be a graduate from a medical school or dental school, who has a confirmed place to continue their training in the UK; and
- the doctor or dentist should be on a recognised trainee programme such as the PLAB test, or should undertake a period of clinical attachment or a dental observer post.
It may be that you may be a doctor or dentist who has full, limited, or temporary registration with the General Medical Council or General Dental Council, or who is eligible for that registration and who intends to take basic or higher specialist training in the UK in a hospital or the Community Health Services, or in General Practice, or in a combination of these.
Doctors wishing to take the PLAB test
Students in this category will be granted entry for up to six months. It is not possible to switch into this category, but students granted entry in order to take their PLAB test may obtain extensions of up to six months at a time provided that they meet the above rules. In the case of applicants who have been accepted to sit the PLAB test, they must produce documentary evidence of a confirmed test date. The maximum period of time a person can spend in the UK in order to undertake this exam is 18 months in total.
Doctors or dentists undertaking clinical attachments or clinical observer posts
The purpose of this category is to enable graduate medical and dental students to spend periods of time on unpaid attachments observing medical and dental practice in the area of their specialism, for a period of up to 12 months, although extensions may be permitted. As with the two previously mentioned categories of students, the Home Office (and the relevant registering body) have stated the following conditions must be met in these cases, that the applicants:
- are graduates from a medical or dental school and intend to take a clinical attachment or dental observer post in the UK; and
- can provide documentary evidence of the clinical attachment or dental observer post, which must be unpaid and must involve only observation - not treatment - of patients, as well as being able to meet the previously mentioned requirements of visitors to the UK.
Aside from the above, Mulberry Finch would be more than happy to discuss with you other options you may have to come to the UK, such as the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, or obtaining a Work Permit. Mulberry Finch is here to help you find and complete your chosen education, so contact us today!
