To progress through the international Induction Programme (IIP), a variety of steps need to be taken. This page contains a summary of the general requirements for the IIP.
The first thing you should do is ensure is that your GP specialist medical qualifications are able to be registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC). To help find out if you're eligible, use the GMC online questionnaire.
To work as a GP you will need to be on the GMC’s GP Register with a Licence to Practice (LtP) which is required before you can start a clinical placement.
If you gained your GP qualification outside the UK, the next step depends on where you gained this qualification. If your qualification was obtained in:
- an EEA country, the GMC is likely to accept the qualification, but you will need to apply to them to assess this
- Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Africa, you will need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility General Practice (CEGPR). For these countries there is also a “streamlined route” to achieve this
- any other country, you will need to apply for a full CEGPR
Once you have confirmation that you can be included on the GMC GP Register with a LtP, you will need to register with the National Recruitment Office (NRO) for the GP International Induction Programme (IIP). Following this you will be directed to the Health Education England (HEE) local Educational Lead. This may take a little while to organise and to arrange a review appointment.
You will need to be eligible to work in the UK you may need to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa. For this visa you will need an identified GP practice to act as your employing sponsor. Further guidance on this will be provided by the local HEE team.
Important: Health and Care Worker visa requirements
From 1 January 2021, all EEA nationals (except Irish citizens) and international doctors will require a Health and Care Worker visa to work in the UK. For details on Visa applications and support from NHS England and NHS Improvement when applying, visit the Health and Care Worker Visa requirements for non UK citizens webpage.
To start a placement you will need to apply for, and be included on to the Medical Performers List (MPL) usually a Probationary Flag permitting you to participate in the placement.
NHS England and NHS Improvement team (NHSEI) North West will be able to advise you on the MPL and visa application process. However, the MPL application will be processed by your local NHSE/I team where you work.
Prior to starting the clinical placement you will require an Occupational Health check, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and you may also require a Police Check, and two clinical references. The NHSE/I North West team can help you with these checks.
You will need to register for an NHS Email address. You can usually only do this when you have an identified IIP placement in a GP practice.
You should plan to start these applications at about the same time as you register for the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) assessment unless you wish to have a deferred start of 6 months or more.
Page last reviewed: 20 July 2022
Next review due: 20 July 2023