UK visit visa to take the PLAB test

Any doctor who wishes to practice medicine in the UK must register with the General Medical Council (GMC). Doctors who qualify overseas and wish to register must normally pass the PLAB test (Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board) to demonstrate their knowledge of English and their medical expertise.

Where a person is undertaking the PLAB test this will not usually include any study in the UK and should not count towards the permitted period of study. The applicant should provide confirmation of their test from the General Medical Council or Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Where an individual successfully passes the PLAB test and wishes to remain in the UK they can only do so if it is for an unpaid clinical attachment as specified in the visitor rules.

Individuals can enter as visitors to sit a test or an exam in the UK, such as those for entry into one of the Royal Colleges.

Requirements for those coming to take the PLAB Test

Entry clearance only mandatory for visa nationals seeking to enter the UK to take the PLAB test

Although all the requirements of paragraph 75a must be met, the main points on which the ECO needs to be satisfied are that the applicant:

• is a graduate from a bona fide medical school and intends to sit the PLAB Test; and
• can provide documentary proof of a confirmed test date or of his eligibility to apply to sit the test; and
• they will be able to maintain and accommodate himself and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds; and
• they will not take employment during their leave under this category (as above, clinical attachments do not count as employment for these purposes).

Documents required

A candidate who applies for leave to enter in the United Kingdom to sit the PLAB test should produce evidence from the GMC, which may take the form of:

• A GMC letter;
• Test admission card; or
• Email

Can they switch into employment after taking the test?

Doctors who pass the PLAB test are not permitted to switch into any skilled employment route within the points-based system.

Doctors who come to the UK to take the PLAB test may undertake periods of clinical attachment during their leave. There is no need to apply separately to undertake a clinical attachment unless the period of the clinical attachment goes on beyond the expiry of the doctor’s leave in the UK to take the PLAB test.

Challenging a visa refusal by way of Judicial Review

A UK visit visa refusal is not an appealable decision. This means that you cannot challenge it by way of an appeal. However, if you have ever been refused an entry clearance as a visitor you have the option of re-applying or submitting an application for judicial review. Re-applying is only suitable if you did not have all of the mandatory evidence required and you now have them ready for submission.

However, if you feel that you had all of the correct evidence and do not agree with the reasons for refusal given by the Entry Clearance Office (ECO) i.e. the person who makes the decisions on visit visa applications, you have the option of submitting an application for judicial review to challenge the refusal. The application for judicial review must be submitting within 3 calendar months of the date of the refusal letter.

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