D

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This guidance is based in the Immigration Rules.

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PLAB tests and OSCE

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PLAB test and OSCE

About this guidance
Immigration Rules part 3, paragraphs 75A to 75F

Key facts

This guidance tells you about the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test Changes to this
for overseas-qualified doctors who want to practice medicine in the UK and the Objective
guidance
Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for overseas qualified nurses wanting to work in the
UK in the future (under the points-based system).
Contact

Granting or refusing

Doctors who wish to practice medicine in the UK must register with the General Medical
Information owners
Council (GMC). If they qualify overseas and wish to register they must pass the PLAB test to
demonstrate their knowledge of English and their medical expertise.
Links to staff intranet
removed
Doctors sitting the PLAB test and nurses undertaking the OSCE are included in the
definition of business visitors, but they must meet the requirements of paragraphs 75A to
External links
75F. For more information, see related link: Business visitors.
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
Doctors applying to take any other test or examination, such as those needed to enter one
of the Immigration Rules
of the Royal Colleges, are treated as general visitors and must demonstrate they meet all
the requirements of the general visitor route.

Dependants

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Entry or extension
requirements

In this section

About this guidance

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This means they must not be granted more than six months leave as a general visitor and
they are subject to the normal restrictions on general visitors switching into other categories
of leave. For more information, see related link: General visitors.
Dentists do not need to pass the PLAB test.
Doctors with leave to take the PLAB test cannot switch into skilled employment under the
points-based system.
Doctors who come to the UK to take the PLAB test can do periods of clinical attachments
during their leave. They do not need to apply separately to do a clinical attachment, unless
the period of the attachment goes on beyond the end of their leave to take the PLAB test.
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Nurses who need to pass an OSCE before taking employment in the UK can enter using
either this route or under Tier 2, depending on whether they already have a job offer and the
sponsor has issued a certificate of sponsorship. If they enter under the visitor provisions
they will not be able to switch into Tier 2 from inside the UK.
Changes to this guidance This page tells you what has changed since the previous
version of this guidance.

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Contacts This page tells you who to contact for help if your senior caseworker or line
manager cant answer your question.

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Information owner This page tells you about this version of the guidance and who owns it.

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PLAB test and OSCE

Key facts
This page shows you the key facts for the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB)
test.
Category: Doctors taking the PLAB test
Eligibility criteria
An applicant must:

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C
H

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ED

be a graduate from a medical school and intend to

take the PLAB test
provide documentary evidence of a confirmed test
date or of their eligibility to take the PLAB test by
way of a letter or email from the General Medical
Council or a test admission card
not intend to take employment in the UK
not intend to produce goods or provide services
within the UK, including the selling of goods or
services direct to members of the public
not intend to do a course of study
maintain and accommodate themselves and any
dependants adequately without using public funds
be able to meet the cost of their onward journey
intend to leave the UK when their leave in this
category expires unless they pass the PLAB test
and are granted leave to do a clinical attachment
not spend more than 18 months in the UK in this
category
already have leave in this category, if they are
applying for an extension of stay in this category.
Category: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Eligibility criteria
An applicant must:

Page 4 of 18
November 2014

be a graduate of an overseas nursing school and

intend to take an OSCE
provide evidence of a confirmed test date or of
their eligibility to take an OSCE by way of a letter
from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
not intend to take employment in the UK (as a
visitor)
not intend to produce goods or provide services
within the UK, including the selling of goods or
services direct to members of the public
not intend to do a course of study
maintain and accommodate themselves and any
dependants adequately without using public funds
be able to meet the cost of their onward journey
intend to leave the UK when their leave in this
category expires
PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

Valid from 6

 not be applying for an extension.

Application made outside UK online
application/VAF2 (in North Korea only)
Extension (within UK- PLAB only) FLR(O)
Indefinite leave to remain N/A
Fees for Home Office services

Entry clearance
mandatory?
Is biometric information
required for applications
made in the UK?
Code of leave to remain
granted
Entry clearance
endorsements

Conditions of leave to
remain
How long is leave to
remain normally granted
for?
Are dependants allowed?

Yes

Code 3 conditions.
PLAB
C: PLAB test. LTE 6 months. Code 3.
OSCE
C:Business Visitor. LTE 6 months. Code 3
No work or study allowed. No recourse to public funds.
Six months.
Applications can be made to extend (PLAB only) by six
months at a time to a maximum of 18 months.
Only if they qualify as a general visitor in their own
right.
No. Only observation as part of the clinical attachment
as part of the test process is permitted. Clinical
attachments do not count as employment for this
purpose.
No. Applicant must already have leave in this category
in order to be granted an extension.
No

C
H

Work and study allowed?

No

ED

Cost of application:

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Application forms

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Switching into this

category allowed?
Does this category lead to
settlement (indefinite leave
to remain)?
Is knowledge of language
and life required?
CID case type
Immigration Rules
paragraphs

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November 2014

No
CID case type (Business) - LTR
75A to 75F

PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

Valid from 6

PLAB test and OSCE

Changes to this guidance

Entry or extension
requirements

Date of the change

6 November 2014

Details of the change

Change request:

Key facts

This page lists the changes to the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB)
test and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) guidance, with the most
recent at the top.

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About this guidance

Changes made throughout the guidance

to reflect the rules change of 6 November
2014

Granting or refusing
Dependants
24 January 2014

Six month review by the modernised guidance

team:

Minor housekeeping changes.

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For previous changes you will need to access

the archived guidance. See related link: PLAB
test archive.

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Related links
See also
Contact
Information owner
Links to staff intranet
removed
External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules

PLAB test and OSCE

Entry or extension requirements

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing

In this section

When considering an application you must check:

Objective Structured
Clinical Examination
process

Key facts

This section tells you how to check if a person applying for leave to take the Professional
and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or the Objective Structured Clinical
Examination (OSCE)meets the requirements for that category.

the application is valid

the applicants passport or travel documents are genuine
the applicant meets the substantive requirements for the category
there are no general grounds for refusal.

Dependants
For more information, see related links:

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About this guidance

Specified application forms and procedures

General grounds for refusal.

People taking the PLAB test or the OSCE are included in the definition of a business visitor
in paragraph 6 of the Immigration Rules. An applicant must meet the requirements of
paragraph 75A to 75F of the Immigration Rules. They must:

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be a graduate from a medical school and intend to take the PLAB test or a graduate
from an overseas nursing school and intend to take the OSCE
provide documentary evidence of a confirmed test date or of their eligibility to take the
PLAB test by way of a letter or email from the General Medical Council or a test
admission card or provide evidence of a confirmed test date or of their eligibility to take
an OSCE by way of a letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
not intend to take employment in the UK
not intend to produce goods or provide services within the UK, including the selling of
goods or services direct to members of the public
not intend to do a course of study
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PLAB testing process

Documents the
applicant must provide
Related links
See also
Links to staff intranet
removed
External links
Paragraph 6 of the
Immigration Rules
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules

maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependants adequately:

o out of resources available to them without recourse to public funds or taking
employment, or
o be maintained and/or accommodated by relatives or friends who can prove they are
able and intend to do so, and are legally present in the UK, or will be at the time of
their visit
be able to meet the cost of their onward journey

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For PLAB only they must meet all the above plus the following:

intend to leave the UK when their leave in this category expires unless they pass the
PLAB test and are granted leave to do a clinical attachment
not spend more than 18 months in the UK in this category
already have leave in this category, if they are applying for an extension of stay in this
category.

PLAB extensions only

The applicant must not be in breach of immigration laws, except for any period of
overstaying:

for 28 days or less which will be disregarded, or

where the application was submitted before 9 July 2012.

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For more information, see related link: Applications from overstayers (non family routes).
More information
For more information on these requirements and when doctors are eligible to take the PLAB
test, see related links:
PLAB testing process
Documents the applicant must provide.

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PLAB test and OSCE

PLAB testing process

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing
Dependants

Key facts

This page tells you how the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) testing
process works.
Doctors who qualify overseas, and hold a qualification not recognised in the UK, must pass
the PLAB test in order to register with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Before coming to the UK, they must pass a pre-assessment International English Language
Testing System (IELTS) test. This is designed to find out if the doctor has a reasonable
command of the English language before they can sit the PLAB test. IELTS tests can be
taken in various countries, including the UK.

IV
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About this guidance

If the doctor passes the different stages of the test, they can sit the PLAB test in the UK.

Doctors must take the PLAB test to demonstrate their knowledge of medical English and
their medical skills and knowledge.

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The PLAB test consists of two separate assessments, part 1 and part 2. The GMC requires
doctors to pass part 1 before they can take part 2 of the test. If a candidate fails part 1 by a
wide margin, the GMC does not allow them to re-sit part 1 for a period of at least four
months from the date of the failed test.

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PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

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In this section
Objective Structured
Clinical Examination
process
Documents the
applicant must provide
External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules

PLAB test and OSCE

Objective Structured Clinical Examination process

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing
Dependants

Key facts

This page tells you how the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) process
works.
Nurses from an overseas nursing school, who wish to work in the UK as a nurse at some
point in the future are required to take an Objective Structured Clinical Examination.
Typically, they will have undertaken a three year nursing programme in their country. Their
qualifications gained overseas are assessed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council before
they make a decision on the applicants eligibility to take the OSCE.

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About this guidance

Applicants will receive a confirmation letter from the NMC detailing their eligibility to take the
OSCE in the UK. It is then up to the applicant to schedule a test.

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Where the individual is sponsored to work in the UK under Tier 2, they can take the OSCE
on the Tier 2 visa. See related links.

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In this section
Documents the
applicant must provide
PLAB testing process
Links to staff intranet
removed
External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules

PLAB test and OSCE

Documents the applicant must provide

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing

Key facts

This page tells you the documents a person applying for leave to take the Professional and
Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test must provide from the General Medical Council
(GMC) to show they are eligible to take the test or to take the Objective Structured Clinical
Examination (OSCE).

GMC letter or email

test admission card.

Dependants

A candidate who applies to take the OSCE must provide:

A letter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirming either:

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a scheduled test date, or

their eligibility to undertake the OSCE.

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In this section
PLAB testing process

Objective Structured
A candidate who applies for leave to sit the PLAB test must produce evidence from the GMC Clinical Examination
that they have a test date or are eligible to take the test. This can be a:
process

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About this guidance

PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

Valid from 6 November 2014

External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules

PLAB test and OSCE

Granting or refusing

Entry or extension
requirements

Key facts

This section tells you how to grant or refuse applications for leave to take the Professional
and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test in the UK.
For more information, see related links:
Grant or refuse entry clearance
Grant or refuse entry at UK port
Grant or refuse extension of stay.

Granting or refusing

Dependants

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About this guidance

C
PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

Grant or refuse entry

clearance
Grant or refuse entry at
UK port
Grant or refuse
extension of stay
External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules
PLAB guidance from
GMC

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In this section

Valid from 6 November 2014

PLAB test and OSCE

Grant or refuse entry clearance

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing
Dependants

Key facts

This page tells you how to grant or refuse applications made overseas for leave to take the
Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or the Objective Structured
Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Entry clearance is not mandatory, except for people whose nationality requires them to have
a UK visa. For more information on which nationalities require a visa, see related link:
Appendix 1 of the Immigration Rules.
Grant entry clearance
If a person meets all the requirements of paragraph 75A of the Immigration Rules, and
paragraph 320 of the general grounds for refusal does not apply, you must grant entry.

You must grant entry clearance for six months. You must endorse their entry clearance:
PLAB
C: PLAB test. LTE 6 months. Code 3.

OSCE
C:Business Visitor. LTE 6 months. Code 3

Grant or refuse entry at

UK port

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PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

Grant or refuse
extension of stay
Related links
See also
Links to staff intranet
removed
External links
Appendix 1 of the
Immigration Rules
Paragraphs 76A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules

Refuse entry clearance

If the applicant does not provide the evidence that is required to show that they meet the
requirements of paragraph 75A or if paragraph 320 of the general grounds for refusal does
apply, you must refuse the application.

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In this section

For guidance on the requirements, see the link on the left: Entry or extension requirements.

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About this guidance

Paragraphs 320 to 324

of the Immigration Rules
Paragraph 41 (iii) - (vii)
of the Immigration Rules
(General Visitor rules)

Valid from 6 November 2014

PLAB test and OSCE

Grant or refuse entry at UK port

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing

In this section
Grant or refuse entry
clearance

For guidance on the requirements, see the link on the left: Entry or extension requirements.
Entry clearance is not mandatory, except for people whose nationality requires them to have
a UK visa. For more information on which nationalities require a visa, see related link:
Appendix 1 of the Immigration Rules.

Grant or refuse
extension of stay
Related links
See also

Granting entry
If a person meets all the requirements of paragraph 75A of the Immigration Rules and none
of the general grounds for refusal in paragraphs 320 or 321 apply, you must grant entry.

Links to staff intranet

removed

You must grant leave on code 3 conditions, for a maximum of six months.

External links

Refusing entry
You must refuse leave to enter if the passenger does not meet all of the requirements of
paragraph 75A of the Immigration Rules or if any of the general grounds for refusal in
paragraphs 320 to 322 of the Immigration Rules applies.

Appendix 1 of the
Immigration Rules

Dependants

Key facts

This page tells you how to grant or refuse entry at a UK port to a person seeking entry to
take the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or the Objective
Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

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About this guidance

Paragraphs 75A to 75F

of the Immigration Rules

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For more information on refusing entry, see related link: Refusal of leave to enter.

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PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

Paragraphs 320 to 324

of the Immigration Rules

Valid from 6 November 2014

PLAB test and OSCE

Grant or refuse an extension of stay

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing

For guidance on the requirements, see the link on the left: Entry or extension requirements.

In this section
Grant or refuse entry
clearance

Grant an extension
If the person meets all the requirements of paragraph 75D of the Immigration Rules, and
none of the general grounds for refusal in paragraph 322 apply, you must grant leave to
remain.

Grant or refuse entry at

UK port

If the applicant meets the requirements on each occasion, you must grant up to six months
leave to remain at a time on code 3 conditions.

Documents the
applicant must provide

The maximum amount of time a person can spend in the UK in this category is 18 months.
You must not grant a person leave that would mean they would spend more than 18 months
in total in the UK in this category.

See also

Dependants

Key facts

This page tells you how to grant or refuse applications for leave to remain to take the
Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test.

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About this guidance

Related links

Links to staff intranet

removed

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Refuse an extension
If an applicant does not meet all the requirements in paragraph 75D of the Immigration Rules External links
or if any of the general grounds for refusal in paragraph 322 apply, you must refuse an
extension of leave.
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
There is no provision in the Immigration Rules for OSCE visitors to extend their leave.
Paragraphs 320 to 324
Where an application is received on this basis it will fall to be refused under paragraph 322
of the Immigration Rules
(1) of the Immigration Rules.

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PLAB test and OSCE

Dependants

Entry or extension
requirements

Family members of people with leave to take the PLAB test and OSCE who wish to join
them in the UK must apply and meet the requirements of the general visitors or child visitors
rules.

Granting or refusing

For more information, see related links:

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General visitors
Child visitors.

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Dependants

Key facts

This page tells you which dependants can be granted leave to join a person with leave to
take the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test or the Objective
Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

About this guidance

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PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

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Related links
See also
Links to staff intranet
removed
External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules

PLAB test and OSCE

Contact

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing
Dependants

Key facts

This page explains who to contact for more help with a specific case in the Professional and
Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination
(OSCE) category.
If you have read the relevant Immigration Rules and this guidance and still need more help
with this category, you must first ask your senior caseworker or line manager.

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About this guidance

If the question cannot be answered at that level, you may email the study and visit
operational policy team for further guidance on the policy.
Changes to this guidance can only be made by the guidance rules and forms team
(GRaFT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact the study and
visit operational policy team, who will ask the GRaFT to update the guidance, if appropriate.

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The GRaFT will accept direct feedback on broken links, missing information or the format,
style and navigability of this guidance. You can send these using the link: Email: guidance
rules and forms team.

Page 17 of 18

PLAB test and OSCE v12.0

Valid from 6 November 2014

Related links
Changes to this
guidance
Information owners
External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules
Links to staff intranet
removed

PLAB test and OSCE

Information owner

Entry or extension
requirements
Granting or refusing

12.0
6 November 2014
Study and visit operational policy team
Sonia Dower
Director, operational policy and rules
28 May 2013
John Thompson
Head of migration policy
4 November 2014

Dependants

Version
Valid from date
Policy owner
Cleared by director
Directors role
Clearance date
This version approved for
publication by
Approvers role
Approval date

Key facts

This page tells you about this version of the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board
(PLAB) test and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) guidance and who
owns it.

IV
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About this guidance

Changes to this guidance can only be made by the guidance rules and forms team
(GRaFT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact the study and
visit operational policy team, who will ask the GRaFT to update the guidance, if appropriate.

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The GRaFT will accept direct feedback on broken links, missing information or the format,
style and navigability of this guidance. You can send these using the link: Email: guidance
rules and forms team.

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Related links
Changes to this
guidance
Contact
External links
Paragraphs 75A to 75F
of the Immigration Rules
Links to staff intranet
removed