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As mentioned in our previous blogs, there are several routes for International Doctors to obtain a license to practice in the UK.

The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) Scheme is a government authorised exchange under Tier 5 of the Points Based System, which allows international doctors to train and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

The primary purpose of the MTI is to provide doctors from developing countries with experience in the NHS, to improve the quality of their healthcare systems when returning back to their home countries.

This gives the doctors an opportunity to benefit from upskilling themselves and gain high-quality knowledge and experience, which shall also benefit their patients and colleagues.

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges are responsible for the issuance of Tier 5 certificates of sponsorship, to be used for visa application.

How do I know I’m eligible to be on the MTI Scheme?

In order to be considered onto the scheme, you must:

• Be living outside of the UK and the EU

• Hold a GMC approved Primary Medical Qualification which is to be verified by ECFMG.

• Have engaged in medical practice for 3 out of the last 5 years (including the most recent last 12 months). You will need to provide Certificates of Good Standing (CGS) from any country you have practiced, been registered or licensed with since you were granted your provisional registration.

• Be able to demonstrate your English Language skills by achieving the current minimum scores in the academic version of the OET or IELTS tests*

IELTS minimum score is 7.0 in each category and an overall minimum score of 7.5

OET’s minimum score is Grade b in each category

When applying with certain Royal College’s they will also require that you have completed a specialist training programme and have a relevant experience within their speciality. You can check this on their website and MTI sponsorship page.

How do I get started?

Each Royal College has a different way for doctors to apply onto their MTI scheme.

Below we have listed the specific Royal College’s with a link to their individual MTI scheme page for you:

• Medicine and Sub-specialities – RCP – click here

• Emergency Medicine – RCEM – click here

• Pathology – RCPath – click here

• Surgery and sub-specialities – RCS – click here

• Radiology and clinical oncology – RCR – click here

• Paediatrics – RCPCH – click here

• Obstetrics & Gynaeacology – RCOG – click here

• Anaesthetics – RCA – click here

• Psychiatry – RCPysch – click here

I have been accepted by the Royal College of my speciality, what do I do next?

Once you have been accepted by your Royal College, you will have the opportunity to apply for a job which is suitable to your experience. Alternatively, the Royal College may identify a suitable post for you and send you the details for it.

Next steps

Sponsorship Application and Review

If, and when you have been accepted for the chosen NHS job post, you will then be requested to provide important documentation and certificates, as well as completing additional forms. This ensures that you fit the criteria and can be accepted for the sponsorship. This step is also required to be fulfilled by your chosen hospital as well.

Sponsorship Offer

If you are successful in the previous step, you will then have to wait for the Royal College to issue you an offer letter, to confirm your sponsorship and Tier 5 Visa Agreement.

GMC Registration

Once you have received confirmation you may then proceed onto applying for your full GMC registration. Through this process you will have to provide them with your Royal College offer letter, as well as additional key information. See our GMC blog for more information on the process by clicking here.

Last Step - Applying for your Tier 5 Visa

After you have acquired the full GMC registration, your Royal College may then apply for your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Finally, the completion and confirmation of your Certificate of Sponsorship will allow you to apply for your Tier 5 Visa.

Next week we will be concluding our GMC blog series, which will then be followed by our Visa series, which will go more in-depth on how you can apply for your Visa.

However, in the meantime, please refer to the UK Government’s information guide on this, by clicking here.