Before You Arrive: Guide for Indian NHS Workers

What to prepare before your move from India to the UK

Professional Registration

Nurses: Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) — required before you can practise as a nurse in the UK.
Doctors: Register with the General Medical Council (GMC) — required before you can work as a doctor in the UK.
Allied health professionals: Register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Indian Nursing Council (INC) verification: Your nursing qualifications need to be verified by the INC before the NMC will process your application.
CBT and OSCE: Nurses must pass the Computer Based Test (CBT) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as part of the NMC registration process.
PLAB test: Doctors must pass the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) test to register with the GMC.
Typical timeline: Allow 6–12 months from initial application to full registration.

Documents to Gather

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
Degree certificates and transcripts (original and attested copies)
Indian Nursing Council / Medical Council of India registration certificate
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) — passportindia.gov.in
Embassy attestation of educational documents if required
Medical examination from an approved panel physician
IELTS / OET score certificate
Reference letters from current and previous employers
Marriage certificate and spouse / dependent documents if applicable

Get all documents apostilled or attested well in advance. Embassy attestation can take 2–4 weeks. Keep both physical and digital copies of everything.

Financial Preparation

Recommended savings: ₹3,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 (approximately £3,000 – £5,000)
Common costs before departure: IELTS / OET fees (₹15,000–20,000), NMC / GMC application fees, OSCE / PLAB fees, visa fees (₹28,000+), medical examination, flights (₹40,000–80,000)
Set up a Wise or Remitly account before you leave — international transfers are significantly cheaper than using your bank.
Inform your Indian bank about international travel to avoid card blocks.

Your first NHS payday may be 4–6 weeks after you start. Budget assuming no income for the first 6 weeks. The cost of living in London is significantly higher than most Indian cities.

What Your NHS Trust Should Provide

Employment contract and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Information about temporary accommodation (not all trusts offer this — ask explicitly)
Airport pickup (some trusts arrange this)
Induction schedule and pastoral support details

Ask your trust recruiter these questions directly. Don't assume anything is included — get confirmation in writing. Some trusts have dedicated international recruitment teams who can help with the transition.

What to Pack

UK plug adapters (India uses Type C / D / M; UK uses Type G)
Enough prescription medication to cover your first month (getting an NHS prescription takes time)
Copies of all documents — both physical and digital
Professional uniforms if required by your trust
Warm clothing: London winters are cold but not extreme. A good quality winter coat, thermals, and waterproof shoes are essential. Layers work best.
Indian spices and specialty ingredients — available in London but significantly more expensive. Bring what you can within your luggage limits.

Bring ₹8,000–15,000 worth of GBP cash (£100–200) for immediate expenses on arrival. Indian debit cards work at UK ATMs but charge 2–3% foreign transaction fees.

Things to Do Before Your Flight

Activate international roaming on your Indian SIM, or buy a UK SIM online before you travel (Three and giffgaff ship internationally)
Download offline London maps on Google Maps
Save your trust's HR contact number and your temporary accommodation address
Join Indian NHS worker communities — search Facebook groups such as "Indian Nurses in UK" and "Indian Doctors in NHS"
Ensure your Indian bank account has online banking and international transfer capability
File any pending tax returns with the Income Tax Department before leaving

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The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial, legal, or immigration advice. Immigration rules, registration requirements, and processes change regularly. For immigration matters, consult a qualified immigration adviser or solicitor. For financial matters, consult a qualified financial adviser. Always check official government and regulatory body websites for the latest information.

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Before You Arrive: Guide for Indian NHS Workers

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