Eligibility

This page explains the requirements you must meet if you wish to apply to come to the United Kingdom to take the professional and linguistic assessments board (PLAB) test.

If you are currently in the United Kingdom under a different immigration category you should also read the information on switching.

Undertake the PLAB test

In order to come to the United Kingdom to undertake the PLAB test you must:

• be a graduate from a medical school; and
• intend to take the PLAB test in the United Kingdom; and
• provide documentary evidence of a confirmed test date or of your eligibility to take the PLAB test; and
• not intend to take employment in the United Kingdom; and
• not intend to produce goods or provide services within the United Kingdom, including the selling of goods or services direct to members of the public; and
• not intend to undertake a course of study; and
• be able to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without the use of public funds or employment; and
• be able to meet the cost of the return or onward journey.; and
• intend to leave the United Kingdom when your permission to stay expires, unless you have been given permission to stay as:
  • a postgraduate doctor or trainee general practitioner;
  • a doctor or dentist undertaking a clinical attachment or dental observation post;
  • a work permit holder.

Public funds are income-related benefits paid by the state. They include income support, income-based job seekers allowance, housing and homelessness assistance, housing and council tax benefit, working families' tax credit, a social fund payment, child benefit and any disability allowance. Benefits paid as a result of contributions, such as the state pension, are not considered to be public funds. Social housing is not considered to be a public fund either. Claiming public funds when you are not eligible is known as benefit fraud and it is a criminal offence.