How does a doctor from India get into the NHS?
An Indian doctor with an MBBS and completed internship usually reaches GMC registration through PLAB 1 and PLAB 2, or through MRCP/MRCS if they already have postgraduate training. Budget 12–20 months and roughly £4,000–£6,500 including exams, EPIC verification, English test, visa and flights.
- Typical timeline
- 12–20 months from starting PLAB 1 prep to a first NHS post
- Typical cost
- £4,000 – £6,500
- Regulator
- National Medical Commission (NMC)
Step-by-step: MBBS to NHS post
- 1
Confirm your primary medical qualification is acceptable
Your MBBS must be from a medical college listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with a sponsor note for the GMC. Most Indian colleges are listed, but check the note before you pay for anything else.
- 2
Open an EPIC account and start verification early
The GMC requires primary source verification of your MBBS through ECFMG's EPIC service. Indian universities are often slow to respond, so start this the moment you decide to move — it is the single most common cause of delay for Indian applicants.
- 3
Sit IELTS Academic or OET Medicine
You need IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each element, or OET grade B in all four sub-tests. Both are widely available across Indian cities. Results stay valid for two years, so time this so it still covers your GMC application.
- 4
Choose PLAB or a postgraduate route
Most Indian graduates take PLAB 1 (available in several Indian centres) followed by PLAB 2 in Manchester. If you already hold or are near MD/MS or an MRCP/MRCS pass, the postgraduate qualification route can skip PLAB entirely.
- 5
Get your Certificate of Good Standing
Request this from the State Medical Council or NMC where you are registered. It is valid for three months, so request it only once your other evidence is close to ready.
- 6
Apply for GMC registration and book your ID check
Once your evidence is uploaded and accepted, you book an identity check in the UK. Applicants usually combine this with the PLAB 2 trip or the first weeks of a new post.
- 7
Secure an NHS post and a Certificate of Sponsorship
Trust grade, clinical fellow and LED posts are the most common first jobs. Your trust issues a Certificate of Sponsorship, then you apply for the Health and Care Worker visa — cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker route and exempt from the immigration health surcharge.
What catches Indian applicants out
- Internship completion certificates from Indian colleges must state the exact start and end dates — GMC caseworkers reject vague wording regularly.
- If you did an observership or a non-clinical gap of more than a few months, prepare a short written explanation before your interviews.
- Indian bank drafts and card limits can block GMC and exam payments; a forex or international card avoids failed transactions.
- Health and Care Worker visa applicants from India can use the priority service in most cities, cutting the wait to about five working days.
India to NHS: frequently asked questions
Can an Indian MBBS doctor work in the UK without PLAB?
Yes, if you hold an acceptable postgraduate qualification such as MRCP(UK), MRCS, MRCOG or an approved overseas equivalent, you can apply for GMC registration through the postgraduate qualification route instead of PLAB. You still need the English requirement and verification of your MBBS.
How long does EPIC verification take for Indian universities?
Anywhere from four weeks to six months. Universities that respond directly to ECFMG are fast; those that route requests through a state authority are slow. Start verification before you book PLAB 1.
Do I need to complete my Indian internship first?
Yes. The GMC requires evidence of an acceptable pattern of internship — normally the full 12-month rotating internship — before granting full registration with a licence to practise.
What is the total cost for an Indian doctor to reach the NHS?
Most doctors spend £4,000–£6,500 covering IELTS or OET, PLAB 1 and 2, EPIC verification, GMC registration, flights, the PLAB 2 trip to Manchester, visa fees and about two months of living costs before the first salary lands.
Not sure which route fits you?
Take the 2-minute pathway quiz and get a dated plan for your own situation, or work out the total spend with the cost calculator.