International Medical Graduates

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are a valued and essential part of our workforce in Northern Ireland.

There are a range of organisations that can answer your questions and orientate you to practice here.

The NI Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) have lots of resources here. They also have a Facebook group to support new trainee Doctors and Dentists.

NIMDTA GP Dept hold a database of practices which are current Visa Sponsors. Please email for more information gpcpd.nimdta@hscni.net

You can find information on local representative groups here and you can find out more about living in Northern Ireland here.

If you need a Visa Sponsor after completing your GP Specialty Training, you can find out more by watching the webinar at this LINK. Please contact gpcpd.nimdta@hscni.net to request the password.

International Medical Graduate Experiences of working and living in Northern Ireland
Gilles Mangard
Gilles Mangard

I am from Bordeaux and had my own GP practice for 30 years but was unhappy with the French system, in part due to the large number of routine tasks. I needed to do the Induction Scheme as I had never worked in the NHS before and did my GP training in France. It was very challenging to do the MCQ tests and also the simulated surgery as I had practiced a different style of medicine in France.

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Saniya Zahid
Saniya Zahid

I got interested in rural GP practice while working as a physician assistant in Toronto, and my journey to train as a GP brought me to Northern Ireland. While filling in my application and ranking my choices, I had considered a few things such as weather, cost of living, access to an international airport, choice of hospital rotations, trainee satisfaction as per GMC survey, population demographics and believe it or not, google guide reviews by people who had visited the area. Considering all these factors, Western Trust fulfilled most of my requirements and Fermanagh looked extremely beautiful in pictures!

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Saffa Ilyas
Saffa Ilyas

I chose general practice for several reasons, among those were a good work-life balance and a relatively short training programme with an eighteen months hospital placement. I opted for LTFT (less than full time) to add ease to my life and time for kids. In short, the main reason I chose general practice was because, once trained, there is a plethora of opportunities to choose from. GP training keeps the options open for future. I am targeting GP with special interest in Women’s health post CCT.

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Adapting to UK medical practice can be hard for any doctor, regardless of where you are from, or how experienced you are. Your personal wellbeing is important and you can find some resources and support organisations at this link. The GMC host a free workshop designed to help doctors new to the UK, by offering practical guidance about ethical scenarios you may encounter, and the chance to connect virtually with other doctors coming from abroad.

https://www.gmc-uk.org/about/what-we-do-and-why/learning-and-support/workshops-for-doctors/welcome-to-uk-practice

The BMA can help you as an IMG, whether you are looking to make the move to the UK or are just starting out in your new job here.

https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/international-doctors

There are also some excellent financial tips from the Cameron Fund HERE

The RCGP have produced a comprehensive guide covering all the issues overseas doctors may face when considering a career in General Practice in the UK and has useful links to other resources throughout. It is relevant to family doctors who have never worked in the UK as a GP, including doctors from the UK who have done their speciality training abroad. It aims to support you to make an informed decision about whether living and working in the UK as a GP is right for you, and to help you understand what is involved.

https://www.rcgp.org.uk/training-exams/discover-general-practice/overseas-doctors-guide.aspx

Applying for a Health and Care Visa

You can browse a range of jobs which offer a Visa sponsor at this LINK. You can also view the Jobs Board on this website (some adverts highlight they are a visa sponsor)

For detailed information on this process click here

For GP trainees who entered GP training before February 2024, you can apply for a 4 month extension after you CCT through NIMDTA, to allow you time to find a suitable longer term post. More information HERE

For Practices who wish to apply to be a Visa sponsor, you can more information HERE

Opportunities for GPs recently qualified in Republic of Ireland

Did you know that if you have qualified as a GP within the past 2 years in the Republic of Ireland, you can now follow a Streamlined Process to be able to work in Northern Ireland? This avoids the need to sit any exam and allows you to do a short orientation placement in a training practice in the area where you might wish to work

To find out more click HERE

GP Retention Scheme for IMGs who have trained in the UK

The GP Retention Scheme offers stable work in a practice of your choice for up to 3 years ( 4 sessions per week) with one Out of Hours session worked per month. This can be alongside additional sessional work (Visa permitting). More information can be found HERE

Demonstrating your English

You can take the IELTS (international English language test system) or the OET (occupational English test) to demonstrate you have a good level of English. To pass these tests you will need a good standard of English and must prepare well in advance. The tests are available in a number of different countries and you may choose to take the test before you arrive in the UK.