Relocating to the UK as a Doctor: Complete Guide

Visa and Immigration

Most international doctors coming to work in the NHS will require a Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2 General visa). This is a points-based visa that requires sponsorship from a licensed UK employer — in your case, the NHS Trust or healthcare organisation that has offered you a job.

Skilled Worker Visa: Key Requirements

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer issues this. It contains details of your job, salary, and working conditions. You cannot apply for the visa without it.
• Eligible occupation: Medical practitioner roles are on the Health and Care Worker visa sub-category, which offers reduced fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• Minimum salary threshold: Your salary must meet the minimum for the specific occupation code. For doctors, NHS pay scales typically exceed the minimum threshold comfortably.
• English language requirement: If you have passed IELTS/OET for GMC registration, this usually satisfies the visa English requirement too.
• Maintenance funds: You must show you have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying (unless your employer certifies maintenance on your CoS).

Visa Application Process

1. Accept your job offer and receive your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number from your employer.
2. Complete the online visa application on GOV.UK.
3. Pay the visa fee and any applicable IHS charges.
4. Book and attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in your country.
5. Submit your supporting documents (passport, CoS, qualifications, English language evidence, financial evidence).
6. Wait for a decision (typically 3 weeks for standard processing; priority processing available for an additional fee in some countries).
7. Receive your visa vignette in your passport, valid for 90 days to enter the UK.
8. Collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a designated Post Office within 10 days of arriving in the UK.

Before You Arrive in the UK

Preparation before you travel makes the transition significantly smoother. Start working through this list at least four to six weeks before your departure:

• Confirm your start date and induction arrangements with your employer
• Arrange temporary accommodation for your first two to four weeks (see Accommodation section)
• Scan and save digital copies of all important documents (passport, visa, GMC certificate, qualifications, references, medical records)
• Arrange travel insurance for your journey
• Research your destination city — public transport, local amenities, proximity to your hospital
• Inform your bank about your move and check international transfer options
• Obtain a letter from your employer confirming your employment (useful for opening a UK bank account)
• Pack essentials: professional clothing for work, a UK power adaptor, and any prescription medications you take (with a doctor's letter)
• Download useful apps: Citymapper or Google Maps (transport), Rightmove or Zoopla (property), Monzo or Starling (banking), WhatsApp (communication)

Your First Days: Essential Checklist

In your first week in the UK, prioritise these tasks:

1. Collect your BRP: Go to the designated Post Office within 10 days of arrival. Your BRP is your primary proof of right to work and live in the UK.
2. Register with a GP: Visit a local GP surgery and register as a new patient. Free under the NHS; you do not need an NHS number to register — the GP surgery will help you get one.
3. Open a bank account: See the Banking section below. Do this as early as possible as you need a UK account for salary payments.
4. Get a UK SIM card or phone plan: Major providers include EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2. Pay-as-you-go options from supermarkets cost as little as £10 per month.
5. Apply for a National Insurance (NI) number: You can start work without one, but you need it for correct tax and pension contributions. Apply online through GOV.UK.
6. Start your accommodation search: If you are in temporary housing, begin looking for longer-term accommodation immediately.

Banking and Finance

Opening a UK bank account is one of the most important and sometimes frustrating first steps. Traditional high street banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) typically require proof of address, which creates a catch-22 when you have just arrived and do not yet have permanent accommodation.

Recommended Approach

1. Start with a digital bank: Monzo and Starling Bank are UK-regulated banks that allow you to open an account using your passport and BRP, without a proof of address. You can open a Monzo account within minutes using their app and receive a debit card within days. Use this for your initial salary payments.
2. Open a high street account later: Once you have a permanent address and utility bills in your name, open an account with a traditional bank if you prefer. This can be useful for mortgage applications later.

Tax and Pension

As an NHS employee, you will automatically be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme, one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK. Contributions are deducted from your salary before tax. Your employer also contributes. While you can opt out, the scheme is highly advantageous and opting out is rarely advisable.

Income tax is deducted at source through PAYE (Pay As You Earn). In your first year, you may be placed on an emergency tax code, which means you could be overtaxed initially. This is corrected automatically once HMRC processes your information, or you can contact HMRC directly to resolve it faster.

Finding Accommodation

Housing is likely to be your biggest monthly expense, and the market varies dramatically between regions. Here is how to approach your accommodation search:

Short-Term Options (First 2–4 Weeks)

• Hospital accommodation: Some Trusts offer on-site or nearby accommodation for new doctors. Ask medical staffing about availability — it is often subsidised and convenient.
• Airbnb or serviced apartments: Flexible and furnished. More expensive per week but no long-term commitment.
• Colleagues' spare rooms: Ask your Ava Medical consultant if any doctors in your new hospital have a room available. Many experienced IMGs are happy to help new arrivals.

Long-Term Rental

For long-term rental, use platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom (for house shares). You will typically need to provide:

• Proof of identity (passport and BRP)
• Proof of income (employment contract or offer letter)
• Employer reference
• A deposit (usually five weeks' rent, protected in a government-approved deposit scheme)
• First month's rent in advance

Cost of Living by City

The cost of living in the UK varies enormously between regions. Here is a realistic comparison for a single doctor (approximate monthly costs in 2026):

Bringing Your Family

If you have a spouse/partner and children, they can join you in the UK as dependants on your Skilled Worker visa. Under the Health and Care Worker visa, dependants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, saving significant costs.

Schools

State education in the UK is free for all children aged 5 to 18, regardless of immigration status. To secure a place, contact your local council's school admissions team as early as possible. Key stages:

• Primary school: Ages 4/5 to 11 (Reception through Year 6)
• Secondary school: Ages 11 to 16 (Year 7 through Year 11)
• Sixth form/college: Ages 16 to 18 (Year 12 and Year 13, optional but free)

Childcare

Full-time nursery for a child under 3 can cost £800 to £1,500 per month depending on location. However, all children in England are now entitled to 30 hours of free childcare per week from the age of 9 months (for working parents), with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland offering similar schemes. Check GOV.UK for the latest entitlements as these have expanded significantly in recent years.

Driving in the UK

The UK drives on the left side of the road. If you hold a driving licence from a "designated country" (which includes Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and others), you can exchange it directly for a UK licence without taking a test. If your country is not on the list, you can drive on your overseas licence for up to 12 months from the date you became resident, after which you must pass a UK driving test.

Running a car in the UK is expensive: insurance for new drivers can cost £1,000 to £2,000 per year, fuel is approximately £1.40 to £1.55 per litre, and parking at hospitals is often limited and chargeable. Many doctors in cities manage well without a car using public transport, cycling, and the occasional taxi.

Registering for Healthcare

As an NHS employee, you are entitled to full NHS healthcare, including GP services, hospital treatment, prescriptions, and dental care.

Getting an NHS Number

Your NHS number is your unique identifier in the health system. You receive one when you register with a GP surgery. Walk into a local GP practice, ask to register as a new patient, and fill in a GMS1 form. You do not need proof of address or immigration status to register with a GP — everyone in England is entitled to GP registration. Your NHS number will be issued within a few weeks.

Service	Cost	Notes
GP appointments	Free	Available to all registered patients
Prescriptions (England)	£9.90 per item	Prepayment certificate ~£32/quarter saves money if 3+ items
Prescriptions (Scotland/Wales/N. Ireland)	Free	No charge regardless of number of items
NHS dental (Band 1 exam)	~£26	Examination and diagnosis
NHS dental (Band 2 treatment)	~£74	Fillings, extractions
NHS dental (Band 3 complex)	~£320	Crowns, dentures, bridges

Cultural Adjustment

Moving to a new country is as much an emotional journey as a logistical one. Cultural adjustment takes time, and it is normal to experience phases of excitement, frustration, homesickness, and gradual adaptation.

Weather

The British climate is famously mild but grey. Expect rain in all seasons, limited daylight in winter (sunset as early as 3:30pm in December in northern England and Scotland), and pleasantly warm — not hot — summers. Invest in a good waterproof coat and layers. The weather is a legitimate topic of conversation and an easy way to connect with colleagues.

Building a Social Life

• Join your hospital's social activities: Departmental dinners, sports teams, charity events, and teaching sessions are all opportunities to build relationships.
• Connect with other IMGs: National organisations like BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin), BIDA (British International Doctors Association), and MANSAG (Medical Association of Nigerians Across Great Britain) provide community and professional support.
• Explore your local area: The UK has excellent public parks, museums (many are free), and cultural venues. Joining local clubs, gyms, or community groups is a great way to meet people outside of work.
• Stay connected with home: Schedule regular video calls with family and friends. A strong support network at home makes the transition easier.

Mental Health

Relocating and starting a demanding new job is stressful. The NHS has support services available for all staff, including confidential counselling through occupational health, the BMA's wellbeing service (free for all BMA members), and the NHS Practitioner Health programme (a confidential service specifically for doctors and dentists in England). Use these services if you need them — there is no stigma, and looking after your own wellbeing is essential for sustainable practice.