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International Medical Graduates

Your Step-by-Step Path to a Permanent NHS Career

From GMC registration to your first day on the ward — Ava Medical guides international doctors through every stage of the UK pathway. Free for all candidates.

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IM DK SB
50+ specialties · 3 countries · free service
IMG Pathway Snapshot UK entry for international doctors
GMC route (recognised school)Portfolio pathway
GMC route (other schools)PLAB 1 & 2
English languageIELTS / OET
Work visaSkilled Worker
Typical timeline12–24 months
Ava Medical feeFree
All specialties Free for doctors
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Years in NHS recruitment
Thousands
Doctors placed
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NHS trusts & health boards
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Specialties covered
Eligibility

Is the IMG Pathway Right for You?

The IMG pathway is for doctors who obtained their primary medical qualification outside the UK. Ava Medical works with doctors at every stage — whether you are planning ahead or ready to move now.

Overseas-Qualified Doctors

Any doctor with a primary medical qualification from outside the UK who wishes to practise in the NHS must register with the GMC. We help you identify the right registration route.

All Grades Welcome

Junior doctors, registrars, staff grade, and consultants. We place doctors at all levels of seniority across all major NHS specialties in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Any Country of Origin

We work with doctors from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Australasia and beyond. The route may vary, but a pathway exists for every qualified doctor.

At Any Stage of Planning

Whether you have not yet started your English language test or have already passed PLAB 2, contact us. We join your journey wherever you are and tailor support accordingly.

GMC Registration Routes

PLAB vs the Portfolio (Sponsorship) Pathway

Every international doctor must achieve GMC registration before starting NHS work. There are two main routes — the right one depends on your medical school and background.

A

PLAB Pathway

Typical: 6–18 months
  • For graduates of medical schools not on the GMC's recognised list
  • PLAB 1: 200 single best answer MCQ exam (held internationally)
  • PLAB 2: 18-station OSCE at GMC assessment centre, London
  • Valid for 2 years from passing PLAB 1 to sitting PLAB 2
  • No employer sponsorship needed — you apply directly to GMC
  • PLAB 1 fee approx. £239; PLAB 2 approx. £1,358 (2026)
How Ava helps: PLAB preparation resources and study group signposting, plus job placement once you are GMC registered.
B

Portfolio (Sponsorship) Pathway

Typical: 3–9 months
  • For graduates of GMC-recognised medical schools (check GMC's list)
  • No PLAB exams required — evidence-based portfolio assessment
  • Requires a named NHS employer sponsor to submit your application
  • GMC assesses your medical education, training, and good standing
  • Often faster than PLAB for eligible doctors
  • CESR route also available for consultants with substantial specialist experience
How Ava helps: We identify NHS employers willing to sponsor your portfolio application and coordinate the sponsorship process directly.

 Not sure which route applies to you? Contact us — we will review your qualifications at no cost.

The Full Journey

Seven Steps to Your Permanent NHS Role

From initial assessment to your first day on the ward — here is every stage of the IMG pathway, and exactly where Ava Medical adds value at each step.

1
Step 1 · Initial Assessment

Review Your Qualifications & Choose Your Route

We assess your medical degree, postgraduate training, and career goals to identify the most efficient registration pathway — PLAB, portfolio sponsorship, or CESR. Getting this right from the start saves months.

Ava does: Free qualification review, personalised pathway recommendation, and a clear timeline estimate.
2
Step 2 · English Language · 3–6 months

IELTS Academic or OET

The GMC requires evidence of English language proficiency before granting registration. Two tests are accepted:

  • IELTS Academic: Overall 7.5, with minimum 7.0 in each component.
  • OET (Medicine): Grade B (350) in each of the four skills. Recommended for clinicians as it uses medical scenarios.

Results must be no older than 2 years at the time of GMC application. Doctors who completed their entire medical degree in English at an approved institution may be exempt.

Ava does: Guidance on exemption eligibility, recommended preparation resources, and test centre information.
3
Step 3 · GMC Registration · 4–18 months

Achieve Full GMC Registration

This is the critical gateway. Once you hold a GMC number, you are legally permitted to practise medicine in the UK. The timeline depends on your route:

  • PLAB route: Pass PLAB 1 (multiple choice, global test centres), then PLAB 2 (OSCE, London). Apply online to GMC once both are passed.
  • Portfolio route: Your sponsoring NHS employer submits your evidence dossier. GMC decision typically within 3–6 months.
  • CESR: Evidence portfolio demonstrating equivalence to specialist training — typically for experienced consultants. More complex, 6–24 months.
Ava does: For portfolio route: we find and negotiate your employer sponsor. For all routes: document checklist, application guidance, and primary source verification support.
4
Step 4 · Job Search · Concurrent with Step 3

Finding the Right NHS Position

You can begin exploring NHS roles in parallel with your GMC application. Many NHS trusts are willing to match candidates ahead of registration — particularly for hard-to-fill specialties or if you are seeking portfolio sponsorship. We work across all NHS specialties, including Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Anaesthetics, Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Radiology and more.

Ava does: Specialty-aligned job matching, CV preparation, interview coaching, and direct liaison with NHS trust HR departments. We do not just send your CV — we advocate for you.
5
Step 5 · Visa Sponsorship · 4–12 weeks

Skilled Worker Visa & Certificate of Sponsorship

Most international doctors require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK. Your NHS employer must hold a sponsor licence and issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you can apply. The CoS fee is paid by the employer. You then apply online for the visa and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and visa fee. Doctors are on the Shortage Occupation List, which speeds up processing.

  • Your spouse and dependent children can apply for dependent visas at the same time
  • Skilled Worker visa is typically granted for 3–5 years and leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Ava does: We only place doctors with NHS trusts that hold valid sponsor licences. We coordinate the CoS process and provide guidance on the visa application and IHS payment.
6
Step 6 · Pre-Arrival Checks · 4–8 weeks

DBS, Occupational Health & Onboarding

Before you start, your NHS employer will require several pre-employment checks: an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) criminal record check, occupational health clearance (including immunisation and fit-to-practise review), and reference verification. These run in parallel and can usually be completed within 4–8 weeks of accepting an offer.

Ava does: We brief you on exactly what to expect, help you gather documentation, and liaise with trust HR to keep the process moving.
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Step 7 · Relocation & Onboarding · Ongoing

Arriving, Settling In & Building Your Career

Moving to a new country is about far more than a job offer. We provide practical guidance on every aspect of UK relocation:

  • Finding accommodation: rental market guidance for your arrival city
  • Banking: opening a UK bank account as a new arrival
  • GP registration: registering with a local NHS GP for yourself and family
  • HMRC and National Insurance number registration
  • Schooling and childcare information for families with children
  • Cultural orientation: NHS working culture, hierarchy, and expectations
Ava does: Pastoral support before and after arrival. Check-ins during your first months. Career progression conversations — many of our placed doctors return to us for their next role too.
Complete Support

What Ava Medical Covers — Free for Doctors

Our fee is paid by NHS trusts. You never pay for any of our services.

GMC Registration Guidance

PLAB, portfolio pathway, and CESR route support. We help you select the right route and prepare your application correctly the first time.

Visa & Sponsorship

Skilled Worker visa CoS coordination, dependent visa guidance, and liaison with NHS employer HR teams throughout the sponsorship process.

English Language Advice

IELTS vs OET guidance, exemption eligibility checks, preparation resource recommendations, and score requirement clarity for GMC and visa.

Specialty Job Matching

Permanent NHS roles aligned to your specialty, grade, and career goals — not just any available post. We match thoughtfully, not at volume.

Relocation Support

Housing, banking, GP registration, HMRC, schooling, and cultural orientation guidance. Practical help for you and your family.

Ongoing Pastoral Care

Regular check-ins during your first months, career progression discussions, and support if circumstances change. We stay in your corner.

Your Questions Answered

IMG Pathway FAQ

You must hold full or provisional GMC registration. As an IMG, this requires demonstrating that your qualifications meet UK standards — typically via the PLAB pathway or the portfolio (sponsorship) pathway if your medical school is on the GMC's recognised list. You will also need an English language qualification (IELTS Academic or OET) unless exempt, and a Skilled Worker visa if you are not a British or Irish citizen or settled in the UK.
This depends on where you are starting from. If you have already passed PLAB and have your English language certificate, placement can happen within 6–12 months. If starting from scratch — English preparation, PLAB, GMC registration, visa — expect 18–24 months. The portfolio pathway is typically faster for eligible candidates. Ava Medical focuses on accelerating each stage so you are not waiting unnecessarily.
Not necessarily. If your medical school is on the GMC's list of recognised qualifications, you may be eligible for the portfolio (sponsorship) pathway, which bypasses PLAB. If your school is not on that list, you will need to pass PLAB 1 (written MCQ) and PLAB 2 (OSCE). Experienced consultants with substantial postgraduate specialist training may also be eligible for CESR, which does not require PLAB. We will review your background and tell you which applies to you.
Yes. Your spouse or partner and dependent children under 18 can apply for dependent Skilled Worker visas to accompany you. We provide guidance on the application process and supporting documentation. Your dependants will typically have the right to work in the UK while on a dependent visa. We liaise with the NHS employer to ensure the Certificate of Sponsorship is set up correctly to include your family from the outset.
The NHS actively recruits international doctors across all major specialties. Current areas of particularly high demand include Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Anaesthetics, General Medicine, Paediatrics, Radiology, and General Practice. However, demand varies by region and changes seasonally. We monitor NHS workforce requirements continuously and will tell you honestly where demand is strongest for your specialty and grade.
NHS pay is set by national pay scales. For 2026: Foundation doctors (FY1) earn approximately £32,000; specialty registrars range from approximately £50,000 to £70,000 depending on grade; consultants start at approximately £105,000. These figures do not include NHS pension contributions (one of the UK's most generous final-salary schemes) or additional payments for on-call and unsocial hours. Locum rates can be higher. We will always give you an accurate salary picture for the specific roles we present.
Yes — completely free. Our fees are paid by the NHS trusts and health boards we work with, not by the doctors we place. You will never be asked to pay for registration guidance, job matching, visa coordination, or any other aspect of our service. If you are ever asked to pay by a recruiter claiming to be us, please let us know immediately.
IMG Success Stories

Doctors Who Made the Journey

Role-based attributions used; names withheld for privacy.

★★★★★
"The PLAB process felt overwhelming until Ava Medical mapped out a clear timeline. Within 14 months of first contact I was on the ward as a registrar in the West Midlands. The visa coordination was seamless."
R
Registrar in CardiologyPlaced — NHS England · Previously trained in Pakistan
★★★★★
"I had my GMC number but no idea how to navigate the NHS job market. Ava Medical introduced me to a trust that sponsored my portfolio application and offered me a consultant post. Entire process took under 8 months."
C
Consultant PsychiatristPlaced — NHS Scotland · Previously trained in Egypt
★★★★★
"Moving with a family requires trust. Jack understood that and kept us informed at every step. My wife's dependent visa came through quickly and we were settled in Manchester within 6 months of the offer."
A
Staff Grade in Emergency MedicinePlaced — NHS England · Previously trained in Nigeria

Ready to Begin Your NHS Journey?

Upload your CV today and we will assess your IMG pathway, recommend the right GMC route, and match you with permanent NHS roles aligned to your specialty. Free, no obligation.

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 jack@avamedical.co.uk  ·   07814 506719

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