The Savvy IMG

8 ways the UK has made it easier for IMGs in the past 2 years

Table of Contents

A lot of international medical graduates struggle with their journey to the UK. Whether it’s difficulty passing the exams, getting their first job, or progressing in their careers.

We personally believe the struggles are worth it. The UK is still a great place for international medical graduates in our opinion. Compared to other English-speaking countries, the UK offers flexible pathways for IMGs of all backgrounds, and the possibility of British citizenship within 6 years.

But don’t just take our word for it! In this article, we list 8 ways that the UK has made it easier for IMGs to work here in the past 2 years alone. Then you can make up your own mind!

1. All doctors were included on the UK Shortage Occupation List

When did this change happen?

October 2019

What was it like before this?

Because of an immigration rule called the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT), IMGs were the last priority for training jobs unless they could find a way around the rule. It made it extremely difficult to get a position in competitive specialties such as Surgery, Radiology, Ophthalmology, Anaesthetics, and the UK Foundation Programme.

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

Now that doctors are on the Shortage Occupation List (SOL). IMGs can now bypass RLMT and be considered for training posts based on merit alone. This means that UK graduates no longer have an advantage.

It also means that IMGs can pay reduced fees for their Tier 2 and Tier 2 dependent visas.

How can IMGs make the most of this change?

Nobody knows how long this will last so we recommend you make the most of it now. There are a lot of highly qualified IMGs who can compete with UK graduates, so it’s probable that UK graduates will eventually complain about having no advantage when applying for training jobs – an understandable position.

So don’t waste any time, build up your portfolio, prepare well for the interview, and get that training job!

Resources & Related articles:

How things used to be (these articles are no longer applicable)

2. OET accepted for GMC registration

When did this change happen?

February 2018

What was it like before this?

Previously, IMGs that needed to provide proof of English proficiency could only use IELTS Academic.

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

Many IMGs have gotten stuck with the IELTS, especially the writing part. Although it’s more expensive, the OET provides another option for doctors who are having difficulty with IELTS and is often a second chance for IMGs to get GMC registration.

How can IMGs make the most of this change?

Now that you have a choice between the 2 exams, we recommend that you obtain a copy of free practice materials for both. Work through them and decide for yourself which test you feel you would do best in.

The OET is significantly more expensive than IELTS and is not offered in some countries so you will need to take that into consideration as well.

Resources & Related articles:

BONUS: Free CV check & careers advice

What was it like before this?

The contribution of IMGs to the NHS is becoming increasingly recognised, and many hospitals are even specifically looking for IMGs. Despite this, many IMGs struggle to find jobs often taking several months after applying to hundreds of positions.

From what we can see, the problem is not the lack of clinical experience or inadequate qualifications, but rather that many IMGs are unsure of how to present themselves in their CV and job application.

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

BMJ Careers is an organisation that has been around for decades helping doctors secure their dream jobs and they now offer free CV reviews and careers advice for IMGs. Their medical careers consultants have been involved in the hiring of doctors in the NHS for years and know exactly what hospitals are looking for.

By optimising your application and applying for the most suitable jobs for you, you can reduce the number of jobs you have to apply to in order to be successful.

How can IMGs make the most of this change?

  1. When you have GMC registration, sign up for the free CV check or careers consultation here
  2. Follow the instructions on screen about how to submit your CV and request a review and consultation
  3. Your CV will be reviewed to make sure that it is written to NHS standards and presented in the best way to increase your chances of landing a job. You can also sign up to receive email alerts when your preferred jobs come up.
  4. When you receive an alert for a job recommended for you, it’s time to apply!

3. Exemption from IELTS UKVI for a Tier 2 work visa

When did this change happen?

October 2019

What was it like before this?

If you passed IELTS or OET for GMC registration, you would still need to provide separate proof of English proficiency for the Tier 2 work visa. This could be in the form of another IELTS (the UKVI version), or UK NARIC (proof that your education was conducted in English).

The IELTS UKVI costs much more than the non-UKVI version so it was another expense for IMGs. Also, if you passed the OET or non-UKVI version of IELTS, even with high scores, you still had to do IELTS UKVI and pay for it.

Why was this change made?

Finally, the Home Office recognised that doctors applying for work in the UK had already proven their English skills when they applied for GMC registration. Therefore, an additional test just for the visa was considered unnecessary.

How can IMGs make the most of this change?

You can book the regular type of IELTS Academic, not the more expensive UKVI version, or you can book OET instead. Once your GMC registration is approved, you will no longer have to provide proof of English for your Tier 2 visa, even if the IELTS or OET have already expired as long as your GMC registration is still valid.

Resources & Related articles:

4. New programme opened for IMGs to get into specialty training (WAST)

When did this change happen?

2018

What was it like before this?

In order to apply for UK specialty training at ST1 or CT1 level, IMGs need to have their foundation competences signed off. These competences are also known as the Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training (CREST)

The only options available to IMGs before the Widening Access to Specialty Training scheme (WAST), were Standalone/LAT FY2 and non-training jobs.

Unfortunately, Standalone FY2 had few places available for IMGs, and non-training jobs are not designed to help IMGs get their competences signed off therefore many struggled with this.

Another downside to non-training jobs, is that you need the CREST signed by a certain time of year in order to apply for specialty training, and this can make the timeline for IMGs very tight.

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

WAST is a 12-month programme specifically meant as an alternative to the Foundation Programme for IMGs. It provides assurance that your CREST will be signed off, and it also allows you to submit CREST later in the year compared to if you were working in a non-training job.

How can IMGs make the most of this change?

It’s possible to apply for WAST even before you take any exams eg. IELTS/OET or PLAB. This means you can potentially have a job waiting for you upon arrival to the UK and bypass the need to apply for dozens of jobs after GMC registration.

There are some other benefits and restrictions that you can read more about it in our other WAST articles.

Resources & Related articles:

5. UK graduates made ineligible to apply for Standalone FY2

When did this change happen?

January 2020

What was it like before this?

In the past, doctors who were already in the UK Foundation Programme (mostly UK graduates) were permitted to apply for Standalone FY2. These doctors were prioritised for posts so it put most IMGs at the bottom of the list and reduced the chances of IMGs getting a job.

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

Now that doctors who are already in the UK Foundation Programme can no longer apply for Standalone FY2, it is now open primarily to doctors who completed internship overseas. This means many more places for IMGs!

How can IMGs make the most of this change?

If you are a final year medical student planning to complete internship overseas, or a current intern, or you have recently completed internship, you can consider applying for Standalone FY2.

It’s one of the options for IMGs who have completed internship abroad and provides a structured training post as a first job in the UK.

Resources & Related articles:

6. OET accepted by the UKFPO

When did this change happen?

January 2020

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

Similar to number 3 on this list, the OET being accepted by the UKFPO for FY1 (UK internship) and Standalone FY2 and UKFPO provides more options for IMGs.

How can IMGs make the most of this change?

Start preparing early! 

It should be noted that the passing score for the OET is higher than the passing score for GMC registration. If you are planning to use OET to apply for FY1 Standalone FY2, then be sure to aim for a score of 400 in all components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).

Resources & Related articles:

7. Those on the CESR-CP pathway will be awarded CCT

When did this change happen?

May 2020

What was it like before this?

Doctors who join UK specialty training mid-programme are on the CESR-CP pathway. The certificate they used to get at the end of training was known as CESR which is often considered inferior to CCT outside of the UK. (CCT is awarded to those who join specialty training from the beginning ie. first year.)

Why was this change made?

According to EU legislation, doctors who have completed a certain number of years of training in Europe are eligible for CCT. This is a longstanding law which has now been implemented.

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

As mentioned above, CESR is considered inferior to CCT by some medical authorities and employers overseas even though they are considered as equal in the UK.

Now that doctors on the CESR-CP pathway will be given CCT instead of CESR, hopefully this problem will be resolved and it will be easier for doctors who complete UK training to migrate if they want to.

Resources & Related articles:

8. Plans to scrap the IHS surcharge for NHS workers

When did this change happen?

May 2020

What was it like before this happened?

IMGs working in the UK on a visa, and all their dependants, had to pay £400/year each as a fee for using the NHS services whether they actually used it or not. This would have to be paid upfront, usually for 3 years.

For a family of 4, that’s almost £5,000 in addition to other visa fees before a doctor has even started work!

There are plans to increase this fee to £625/year each in October 2020. When this happens, it would be £7,500 to be paid in one go before starting work.

How does this make it easier for IMGs?

Removing this fee helps to reduce the financial burden to IMGs.

At the moment, the change has been proposed for doctors only and still applies to dependants. It would be even better if the fee was removed for the whole family, it not, then there should at least be the option of payment plans rather than a single payment.

Resources & Related articles:

NEWS: Overseas doctors & their dependants will be exempt from the UK Immigration Health Surcharge

Conclusion

All these changes clearly demonstrate that the UK is in need of doctors and they are willing to change policies in order to make it easier for IMGs to work here.

We think you should take this as a sign of encouragement and keep motivated to overcome the struggles we face as IMGs.

But at the same time, don’t think that just because the UK needs more doctors that they will take just anyone. You still need to meet the standards in order to succeed so keep working hard and striving to be the best doctor you can be.

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4 Responses

  1. Hi there,
    Would anybody be able to forecast the future direction of the relationship between the UK and IMGs, especially in the post-Brexit era, for the next 5 years?

    1. Hi, unfortunately I don’t think anyone can forecast anything. The world is changing very quickly. We can only observe, prepare as much as possible, and remain flexible.

  2. Hi. May I know please if for ST3 recruitment, there will be any coverage for relocation fee? Also if they will provide a temporary accommodation? Thanks

    1. Hi there, do you mean relocation from another country? Generally no, but please check the HEE website for the latest policies. You can contact them as well for any specific queries.

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Meet the Team

Hi, we’re Drs Nick & Kimberly Tan, the two IMGs behind The Savvy IMG. We write comprehensive guides, create courses, and provide one-to-one guidance to help other overseas qualified doctors on their journey to the UK.
We have scoured the official guidance to put these posts together, but we can make mistakes! If you spot anything that is incorrect, please get in touch and we’ll put it right.
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