GMC sponsorship

‌CATO is not able to provide work permits or visa assistance for applicants. This scheme provides GMC sponsorship (approval) only. Applicants must make their own visa arrangements, with assistance from their supervisor and the associated Imperial College department they will undertake research and clinical time in.   As part of the Imperial scheme, applicants will also need to make a parallel application directly to the GMC (see further guidance below).

Imperial College London will only consider sponsoring overseas doctors who already meet the following criteria:

• The applicant has already been offered a suitable post by a senior member of Imperial College London academic staff (applicants must initiate and make direct contact with a supervisor.  CATO will not provide assistance in this respect)

• Confirmation that the applicant intends to carry out clinical research at an affiliated Imperial College London Hospital and associated Imperial College department

• Confirmation that the applicant has been awarded a scholarship, official funding or a salary, (the scheme does not encompass financial support for candidates) 

• Confirmation that the applicant’s medical qualifications have been authenticated by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
• Applicants should continue to practice clinically in their home country right up until they make an application for registration with the GMC. Candidates should also be engaged in medical practice for three out of the last five years including at least ten months of medical practice within the most recent twelve months.
• If applicants are already in the UK they must be able to explain how they are currently working clinically if they wish to apply.

• Important: Any International Medical Graduate who has attempted and failed the PLAB test will not be considered for GMC sponsorship by Imperial College London. 

• Important:   Applicants should continue to practice clinically in their home country right up until they make an application for registration with the GMC. Applicants should also be engaged in medical practice for three out of the last five years including at least ten months of medical practice within the most recent twelve months. If applicants are already in the UK, they must be able to explain how they are currently working clinically if they wish to apply.

Applicants are advised to read the GMC Process Regulations before applying.‌‌

To begin, applicants must make direct contact with a senior academic staff member at Imperial College London who is willing to act as their research supervisor. The supervisor will conduct a structured interview (by telephone, video call, or in person) before any formal application is made ¹ .

• Structured interview questions are available from CATO upon request.
• If the interview is successful and a post is offered, both parties may proceed with the application.

Once a post has been offered:

• The Supervisor completes the Supervisor Form_Initial-International-Sponsorship-Scheme_October 2026.doc
• The Applicant completes the Applicant Form_ Initial International Sponsorship Scheme_October 2026.doc

Both completed forms should be sent to cato@imperial.ac.uk for review. CATO will then confirm whether the application is suitable to progress and provide further instructions.

Administration fee: A charge of £300 is payable to Imperial College London once CATO deems the candidate initially suitable 

Once the initial forms have been reviewed, applicants and supervisors will be asked to provide a full set of supporting documents. Please refer to the CATO GMC Sponsorship Paperwork Checklist for the complete list of requirements.

Applicants must provide, amongst other things:

• Evidence of Primary Medical Qualification (with official translation)
• Evidence of post-qualification clinical training in the relevant specialty
• ECFMG verification of medical qualifications
• Proof of identity (passport or equivalent photo ID) - Notice from the GMC: Doctors are now asked to complete their identity (ID) check earlier in the application process. They are invited to complete an ID check when they submit their application, rather than after the GMC their application is approved. 
• Evidence of English Language proficiency - either IELTS Academic (minimum 7.0 in each component, 7.5 overall) or OET Medicine (minimum grade B in each component) - less than two years old at the point of GMC approval. See the GMC website for exempt nationalities.
• Certificate(s) of Good Standing: Notice from the GMC: 

  We will now carry out primary source verification on all Certificates of Good Standing (CGSs) not sent directly by a regulator. To avoid delays, doctors should arrange for their regulator to send their CGS directly to GMCGoodSt@gmc-uk.org.

• A statement of the research programme, including details of the clinical commitment
• Evidence of financial support
• Contact details of two overseas Consultants as referees (worked with within the last two years)
• A Curriculum Vitae
• A copy of your GMC application form and reference number (prior to final submission)

Supervisors must provide, amongst other things:

• Confirmation of an offer at an affiliated Imperial College London hospital (equivalent to StR 1 level or above; minimum 6 months, maximum 2 years)
• An outline of the research programme and team
• A copy of interview notes and the job description
• Evidence of agreement from the relevant NHS Trust to provide an honorary clinical contract 

When all documents and references have been received, CATO will formally consider the application. If sponsorship is granted, CATO will issue an SRC directly to the GMC - applicants do not need to submit this themselves. The GMC will then make the final decision on eligibility.

Most applicants will need to have their primary medical qualification independently verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This process can take up to 90 days and carries a cost payable to ECFMG. Applicants do not need to have completed the process before applying to Imperial, but must have started it and obtained an EPIC number 

• Applications should be submitted at least 6 months in advance of the expected start date .
• Applicants are advised to read the GMC Process Regulations before applying.
• Doctors who have failed either part of the PLAB test without subsequently passing are generally not considered suitable candidates.
• Applicants should remain in active clinical practice in their home country right up until they apply for GMC registration.

Please note that the GMC have introduced greater flexibility to the sponsorship experience requirement.

Applicants must now demonstrate at least ten months of medical practice within the most recent 12 months. This allows for up to two months’ break in practice, provided they still meet the requirement of three years’ practice within the last five years.

The GMC have also updated their maternity leave criteria. Doctors can now take up to 12 months of maternity leave without the leave needing to be recognised as contractual maternity leave by their employer.

All successfully sponsored applicants are required to:

1. Attend a comprehensive departmental/NHS Trust induction arranged by their host team.
2. Attend an Induction discussion with the Director of Clinical Academic Training at CATO in the early stages of their time at Imperial.

We also strongly recommend attending the GMC's free Welcome to UK Practice (WtUKP) workshops - places are limited, so book early.