Stage 2: Prepare to Start
Before you arrive in Scotland, there are several important steps to complete. This stage highlights everything you need to address before your first day, including professional registration and visa arrangements to accommodation, pre-employment checks and practical relocation planning.
This stage covers:
- Professional Preparation
- Professional Support
- Sponsorship and Immigration Support
- Exams, Assessments and Documentation
- Practical Relocation Information
Focus: Practical preparation for a smooth transition.
If you have any questions about the information in this resource, or you feel there is information which would be useful to add, please get in touch with the Centre for Workforce Supply at nes.cws@nhs.scot.
Professional Preparation
Navigating registration requirements in a new country can feel complex, but support is available.
The GMC offers guidance on registration, professional standards, ethical practice and career development for doctors working in the UK.
📍Find the right registration application.
Professional Standards and Guidance
Working as a doctor in Scotland means understanding the professional standards, behaviours and responsibilities expected throughout your career. The resources provide guidance on day-to-day professional practice, ethical decision-making, inclusion in the workplace, and regulatory processes.
Use the table below to find guidance and resources based on your specific questions or support needs.
| Where do I need help? | Supporting Resources |
|---|---|
What standards am I expected to follow? | Good Medical Practice is the GMC's core guidance for doctors. It sets out the professional standards expected of everyone working in patient care, helping you to provide safe, effective and compassionate care while working positively with colleagues and patients. Helpful for: All IMGs new to UK practice. |
How do I manage ethical and professional dilemmas? | The GMC's professional standards provide practical guidance for a wide range of situations you may encounter during your career, including communication, confidentiality, consent, prescribing, leadership and professional behaviour. The standards are organised into 11 categories, making it easier to find guidance relevant to the situation you are facing. To help you apply these principles in day-to-day practice, explore the professional standards in action, featuring case studies to test your knowledge. Helpful for: Doctors looking for guidance on specific professional or ethical issues. |
How can I create an inclusive workplace? | Everyone has the right to work in an environment that is safe, respectful and free from discrimination. The GMC's Ethical Hub: Racism in the Workplace provides practical advice on recognising, responding to and reporting racism while applying professional standards of equality, diversity and inclusion. Helpful for: IMGs seeking support or guidance on tackling discrimination and promoting inclusion. |
| What happens if concerns are raised about my practice? | Concerns about a doctor's performance, behaviour or health can arise at any stage of a medical career. Understanding the process can help reduce uncertainty and ensure you know what support is available. The GMC explains:
Helpful for: Any doctor who wants to understand the regulatory process and their responsibilities. |
Professional Support
The organisations below provide professional, legal and representational support for doctors working in the UK. Ensure your indemnity cover is in place when you start working in the hospital.
Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties
The Royal Colleges provide a wide range of resources to support, including professional development, examinations, mentoring, networking and career guidance. You can find contact details for all Medical Royal Colleges here.
Useful for: Specialty-specific guidance, examinations and fellowship membership.
Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS)
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland provides professional indemnity, legal support, and expert guidance tailored to the needs of IMGs working in the UK healthcare system.
Useful for: Indemnity cover, complaints handling, legal advice and regulatory proceedings.
The Medical Defence Union (MDU)
Support and guidance for IMGs around dealing with medico-legal issues, complaints, and claims, for incidents arising from their clinical care.
Useful for: Indemnity cover, medico-legal advice and complaint support.
The MPS provides professional indemnity, medico-legal support and resources specifically for international medical graduates joining the UK workforce.
Useful for: Indemnity cover, medico-legal advice and IMG-specific onboarding guidance.
British Medical Association (BMA)
The British Medical Association is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the United Kingdom. You will find advice, support, and information.
Useful for: Employment contracts, pay disputes, workplace rights and access to wellbeing services.
Sponsorship and Immigration Support
If you require immigration permission to work or train in the UK, it is important to understand which visa and sponsorship route applies to your circumstances. Seeking guidance early will help you prepare the right documentation and avoid delays.
| Route | Supporting Information |
|---|---|
| Visa Routes | If you are coming to Scotland from overseas, you may require a visa to work or train as a doctor. The most common routes are the Health and Care Worker Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa. Understanding the eligibility requirements, application process and expected timelines early can help you plan your move and avoid delays. You can book a free immigration advice appointment at Scotland's Migration Service | Scotland.org Find out more at Scotland's Migration Service |
| Sponsorship | NHS Scotland employers can act as your sponsor, and the route will depend on your role and training pathway. Find out more at Visa and Immigration Support for IMG Doctors |
| Immigration Support | Dedicated support is available to help you understand visa requirements, sponsorship responsibilities and immigration conditions relevant to training and employment in Scotland. Find out more at Visa and Immigration Support for IMG Doctors |
Exams, Assessments and Documentation
As you progress through your journey to practise medicine in Scotland, you may need to complete a range of examinations, assessments and verification processes. The requirements will depend on your route to GMC registration, previous training and intended career pathway.
Understanding these requirements early can help you plan effectively and avoid unnecessary delays when applying for registration, training programmes or employment opportunities.
What pathway are you following?
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Overview of potential pathways to GMC registration and subsequent progression into training and employment.
| Stage | Area | What you may need to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. GMC Registration | Identify the GMC registration route that applies to your circumstances and your English language requirements. | |
| 2. Registration Route | PLAB Route | Follow either the PLAB route or an alternative registration route depending on your qualifications and experience. |
| Alternative Route | What other evidence can you provide? | |
| 3. English Language Requirements | Demonstrate your knowledge of English through an approved test (such as IELTS or OET) or other accepted evidence. | |
| 4. Choose Your Specialty or Career Path | Consider your career aspirations and identify the specialty, training programme, or role you wish to pursue. | |
| 5. Examinations and Assessments | Royal College Exams | Complete any required assessments, which may include Royal College examinations, national recruitment assessments, or specialty-specific interviews. |
| Recruitment Tests | ||
| Interviews | ||
| 6. Prepare Documentation | Gather the documentation required for registration, training applications, visa processes, and employment checks. | |
| Outcome | Ready for registration, training and employment in Scotland. |
Examinations and Assessment Requirements
Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to complete one or more of the following:
- PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board)
- English language tests (IELTS or OET) Evidence of your knowledge of English
- Royal College examinations that support progression within specific specialties
- National recruitment assessments
- Specialty specific assessments and interviews as part of postgraduate training recruitment processes
Requirements can vary according to your qualifications, previous experience and career aspirations. Reviewing the relevant guidance at an early stage can help you understand which examinations apply to you and when they need to be completed.
Preparing Your Documentation
Many registration and recruitment processes require the submission of original documents and supporting evidence. Preparing these documents in advance can help avoid delays and ensure applications progress smoothly.
Use this resource as a helpful starting point: Apply for registration and/or licensing with us
Practical Relocation Information
Moving to Scotland involves more than starting a new role. The information in this section will help you plan ahead, understand what to expect, by covering the everyday essentials to help you and your family settle in key aspects of living in Scotland, like understanding the cost of living, transport, education, opening a bank account, finding accommodation and local healthcare.
Cost of Living
Living costs vary across Scotland depending on location and lifestyle.
Consider:
- Housing
- Transport
- Childcare
- Leisure activities
Resource: Cost of Living
Banking and Personal Finances
Setting up your finances is an important first step.
- Open a UK bank account
- Receive salary payments
- Pay bills and manage expenses
Find out more here Banking Guide for International Medical Graduates
National Insurance Number
Required for tax and employment purposes.
- Check if you already have one
- Understand how it works
- Access application guidanc
Apply for a National Insurance number: Who can apply for a National Insurance number
Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG)
Protecting Vulnerable Groups membership is required.
- NHS Scotland pre-employment requirement
- Ensures patient safety
- Managed by Disclosure Scotland
Accommodation
Finding the right place to live is an important part of preparing for your move to Scotland. Whether you are relocating on your own or with family, there are accommodation options available across urban, rural and remote communities.
You may choose to rent or buy a property, depending on your circumstances and location. Many NHS Scotland employers can also provide local advice and support to help you identify suitable accommodation and settle into your new area.
Use the resources below to support your journey. Topics include:
- Renting a property
- Buying a home
- Urban, rural and remote living
- Local amenities and transport links
- NHS support with relocation and settling in
Overseas Criminal Record Checks
You may need documentation from countries where you have lived or worked.
- Police clearance certificates
- Professional registrations
- Employment verification
- Identity documents
Explore the resources below to find out more.
Driving in Scotland
If you plan to drive in Scotland, it is helpful to familiarise yourself with:
- UK road rules and driving regulations as well as driving in remote and rural areas The Highway Code - Guidance
- Licence requirements and the use of overseas driving licences Driving licences
- Vehicle insurance and legal responsibilities Vehicle tax, MOT and insurance
Relocation Checklist
| ✓ | Task |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Research cost of living |
| ☐ | Secure accommodation |
| ☐ | Open a UK bank account |
| ☐ | Confirm National Insurance status |
| ☐ | Complete PVG checks |
| ☐ | Obtain overseas criminal record documents |
| ☐ | Review driving requirements |
Explore the International Medical Graduate Hub
