Dentists not from EU countries

The postgraduate doctor visa and postgraduate dentist visa will allow a doctor or dentist who has qualified either in the UK or abroad to undertake postgraduate training. To be eligible for the doctor visa or dentist visa you must register with the General Medical Council or the General Dental Council before you can start postgraduate training. NB: This type of UK visa is not a work permit. If you are interested in a position other than a training post, please see Coddan-visas-work-permits.co.uk information about UK Work Permits and the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme.

Duration: The postgraduate doctor / dentist visa is initially issued for a three year period, however it can be extended to four years for basic specialist training. For a position in higher specialist training, an application for permission to stay for longer than four years may be submitted, and extensions of stay can be granted for up to three years at a time.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants for the postgraduate doctor visa or postgraduate dentist visa must be able to show that they:

Are a doctor or dentist;

Are registered, or eligible to be registered, with the General Medical Council or General Dental Council
Plan to carry out postgraduate doctor or postgraduate dentist training in a hospital or the Community Health Services (or both);
Have not already spent four years in postgraduate doctor or postgraduate dentist training in the UK (this does not include the 12 months worked as a house officer);
Plan to leave the UK on completion of post graduate doctor or post graduate dentist training.

The applicants from overseas who have qualified abroad will also have to pass an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test and a Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test.

The applicants from overseas will have to apply for UK entry clearance prior to entering the UK.

We suggest that you take a look at the Highly Skilled Migrant Scheme (HSMP) with its priority section for General Practitioners and the new updated Working HolidayMaker scheme. Please also see our Students and Permit Free Employment pages for information about training for Postgraduate Doctors and Dentists.

With the HSMP Scheme General Practitioners may be eligible for 50 points as a priority application. This scheme applies only to General Practitioners and is a perfect way for them to enter the UK and find work.

We are here to guide you through your registration process and also ensure that your visa status is valid for working in the UK both during and after the registration process.