You can apply for the scheme if you are:

• A doctor who has never worked as an NHS GP. You would take the induction route through the scheme.
• A GP who has previously worked in the NHS but been out of NHS general practice for more than two years and wishes to return to work in England. You would take the refresher route through the scheme.
• A GP who has worked in the NHS but been practising medicine abroad for less than 10 years. You would the Portfolio Route.
• The Portfolio route allows doctors to supply a portfolio of documents that demonstrate their skills have been maintained while overseas. There is a short one month placement and report. For more information about this route and applying, please see the RCGP website. 

To qualify for the I&R Scheme and Portfolio Route you also need to have in place the necessary licenses and qualifications. Depending on your experience you will need to be:

• Medically qualified and have completed formal training as a general practitioner in the UK (CCT or JCPTGP), approved EU qualification or hold a Certificate of Eligibility for GP Registration (CEGPR)
• On the GMC GP Register, without GMC conditions or undertakings (except those relating solely to health matters) and hold a current licence to practice as a GP
• Able to work or hold a visa that permits you to work in the UK.

 Welcome to UK practice resources: Click here

Resources for International Medical Graduates new to the NHS Click here

Applying for entry onto the Specialist Register or GP Register: Click here

Living and working in the UK as a GP:a guide for overseas doctors and their families

To practice as a NHS GP in England you will need to apply and be granted approval by NHS England to be included on the Medical Performers List (NMPL). This approval is granted ‘with conditions’. Once you have completed the scheme you will be granted full inclusion on the NMPL (without conditions) and allowed to work as a fully independent general practitioner.

Doctors with conditions related to performance or concerns are managed under separate NHS England guidelines.

Read our frequently asked questions for more information about applying. Watch our short film.