One sitting, may need a retake
GMC fee, sat overseas
GMC fee, sat in Manchester
Full registration with licence
EPIC, CGS, translations, courier
Question banks, PLAB 2 course
PLAB 2 trip plus relocation flight
Health and Care Worker visa is IHS-exempt
Deposit, rent, food, travel
We add roughly £1,500 per dependant for visa fees and extra living costs.
Estimated total
£6,920
Spread over 12–24 months, not paid at once. Many trusts reimburse £1,000–£3,000 of relocation costs, and a Certificate of Sponsorship usually means your employer covers part of the visa.
Common questions about IMG costs
How much does it cost to move to the UK as an international doctor?
Most IMGs spend between £5,000 and £9,000 from first exam booking to their first NHS pay day. The biggest items are PLAB 1 and 2 (~£1,189), GMC registration (~£181), the English test (~£200), the Health and Care Worker visa plus immigration health surcharge, UK travel for PLAB 2, and two to three months of living costs before your first salary lands.
Do I pay the immigration health surcharge on a Health and Care Worker visa?
No. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from the immigration health surcharge, and the visa fee is lower than the standard Skilled Worker route. If you arrive on a visit or standard Skilled Worker visa instead, budget for the surcharge per person per year.
Can I reduce the cost of the IMG journey?
Yes — sit PLAB 1 in your home country, book PLAB 2 and your flights together so you only make one UK trip, apply for jobs before you travel so a Certificate of Sponsorship covers your visa, and ask trusts about relocation packages, which commonly cover £1,000–£3,000.
How much money should I bring to the UK?
Plan for at least two months of living costs. Outside London that is roughly £2,000–£2,600 including deposit, rent, travel and food; in London budget £3,000 or more. NHS pay is monthly in arrears, so your first full salary can be up to six weeks after you start.