The timeline at a glance
For most international medical graduates, the journey from deciding to move to standing on an NHS ward takes 9–18 months, though it can be faster if your GMC registration is already in progress. The two longest variables are GMC registration (especially the PLAB route) and visa processing.
The stages overlap more than people assume — you can job-hunt while finishing registration, and a good recruiter will line up interviews so an offer lands as your GMC registration completes.
Stage 1 — GMC registration (3–12 months)
You need full GMC registration with a licence to practise. The main routes are PLAB (two exams, then registration), an approved postgraduate qualification (e.g. MRCP, MRCS), or the CESR / specialist registration route for senior doctors. PLAB 1 and 2 availability and the gap between them is often the rate-limiting step.
Our GMC registration guide compares the PLAB and portfolio routes in detail, including costs and eligibility. Start an English-language test (IELTS or OET) early — it is valid for two years and required for registration.
Stage 2 — finding a job (4–12 weeks)
You can begin applying once registration is realistically in sight. NHS consultant appointments run through a formal process — job planning, shortlisting and a panel interview — typically taking 8–16 weeks. SAS and trust-grade posts can move faster, sometimes 4–6 weeks.
This is where a doctor-only recruiter earns its place: approaching sponsoring trusts directly, lining up interviews, and preparing you for the panel. Ava Medical does this free for doctors.
Stage 3 — visa & Certificate of Sponsorship (4–8 weeks)
Most international doctors come on the Skilled Worker visa. Once you accept an offer, the trust issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS); you then apply for the visa, pay the immigration health surcharge, and complete biometrics. Standard processing is around three weeks, with priority services faster.
Confirm at offer stage that the trust holds a sponsor licence and will sponsor your role — reputable NHS employers routinely do.
Stage 4 — relocation logistics (2–6 weeks)
In parallel: arrange initial accommodation, open a UK bank account, sort national insurance, and plan flights for you and any family. Some trusts offer relocation packages or temporary accommodation — always ask. Our relocating to the UK guide covers housing, banking, driving licences and schools in practical detail.
Stage 5 — your first weeks (ongoing)
Before clinical work you'll complete trust induction, mandatory training, occupational health clearance, IT and system access, and rota sign-off. Knowing what to expect makes the first month far smoother — see what NHS induction involves.
How to move faster
The biggest accelerators are starting your English test and GMC application early, job-hunting before registration fully completes, choosing trusts that sponsor and recruit efficiently, and using priority visa processing. A recruiter who knows which trusts move quickly can compress the whole timeline by months. See our IMG pathway overview for the full picture.
How Ava Medical helps
Ava Medical guides international doctors through the entire move — registration, the right sponsoring trust, interview prep and relocation — at no cost to you. Tell us where you are in the process and we'll map out your next steps.