How Much Does It Cost for a Nigerian Doctor to Relocate to the United Kingdom? 🇬🇧
4,193 Nigerian doctors and dentists left Nigeria in 2024 alone, with approximately 66% heading to the UK. The PLAB exam pathway remains the primary route for Nigerian medical graduates to practise in the NHS. This guide breaks down every cost from MDCN verification to GMC registration, including the PLAB 2 trip to Manchester that many guides forget to budget for. Every figure is verified against official GMC, GOV.UK, and NHS sources as of April 2026.
🩺 Quick Numbers
Total Cost
₦6.0M – ₦10.0M
Starting Salary
£36,616/yr
FY1 → ST3+ (2026/27)
Nigerians Who Moved
4,193
left Nigeria in 2024
Source Rank
66% headed to UK
Step-by-Step: Registration & Costs
1MDCN Verification & Good Standing₦390,000+
Request verification of your medical degree and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The good standing fee increased 204% in 2024 to ₦350,000, plus a country-specific surcharge of at least ₦40,000 for the UK.
2English Language Test (IELTS or OET)₦299,000 (IELTS) or AUD 587 (OET)
The GMC requires higher English scores than nursing. For IELTS Academic: Overall 7.5 minimum, each component 7.0 minimum, in a single sitting. OET alternative: grade B in all four sub-tests. Since January 2025, Nigerian doctors can no longer self-declare English proficiency — you MUST take a formal test.
3EPIC/MyIntealth PMQ Verification$215 USD (~£170)
Your Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) must be verified through ECFMG's EPIC system. This confirms your medical degree is from a World Directory-listed institution. The process involves an account opening fee and per-credential verification fee.
4PLAB 1 Exam£283
PLAB Part 1 is a written exam testing applied medical knowledge. Available in Lagos and Abuja, but seats fill up within minutes of release — book as early as possible. Only 4 sittings per year (February, May, August, November). Fee increased to £283 from April 2026.
Test centres: Lagos, Abuja
5PLAB 2 Exam (Manchester, UK)£1,036 (exam) + ~£800–£1,500 (travel)
PLAB Part 2 is a clinical OSCE exam held ONLY in Manchester, UK. You must travel to the UK to take it. Budget for: UK Standard Visitor visa (£115), return flight (£500–£1,000), accommodation (3–5 nights, £200–£500). The exam fee itself increased to £1,036 from April 2026. This is often the single largest cost in the entire process.
Test centres: Manchester, UK only
6GMC Registration£166 (application) + £408/yr (annual)
After passing both PLAB exams, apply for GMC registration. The initial application fee is £166. Annual registration with licence to practise costs £408/year (from April 2026). Newly qualified doctors may qualify for a discounted rate of £157/year for the first 4–5 years.
7Health and Care Worker Visa£324 (up to 3 years) / £628 (3+ years)
Apply for the Health and Care Worker visa with a Certificate of Sponsorship from your NHS employer. Fees increased 8 April 2026. Doctors are EXEMPT from the Immigration Health Surcharge (normally £1,035/year), saving thousands over the visa duration. Nigeria is on the WHO red list, so you must apply independently — NHS trusts cannot actively recruit from Nigeria.
Other Costs to Budget For
Official fee ₦30,000 via POSSAP portal. Actual costs vary by location and processing speed.
Official source ↗Must be from a Home Office-approved clinic. Valid for 6 months.
Official source ↗Standard Visitor visa for PLAB 2 exam trip to Manchester.
Official source ↗Mid-range economy. Budget airlines from ~$400.
Official source ↗Good News: Employer Sponsorship
NHS trusts actively sponsor doctors on the Health and Care Worker visa by issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. The employer pays the Immigration Skills Charge (£1,320/person/year, increased 32% from December 2025). However, Nigeria is on the WHO red list, meaning NHS trusts cannot actively recruit from Nigeria. You must apply to NHS jobs independently, but once hired, full sponsorship is provided.
What employers typically cover:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (required for visa)
- Immigration Skills Charge (£1,320/year — employer-paid)
- Some trusts cover relocation costs and accommodation
- PLAB 2 preparation support (varies by trust)
What You'll Earn: FY1 → ST3+ (2026/27)
Entry
£36,616
per year
After 2 Years
£49,909
per year
Top of Band
£61,825
per year
FY1 basic £36,616 (total ~£45,900 with antisocial hours). FY2 £42,008. CT/ST1-2 £49,909. ST3+ £61,825. Includes 37% enhancement for nights and weekend allowance. Source ↗
Important Things to Know
- Nigeria is on the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List (red list) — NHS trusts cannot actively recruit from Nigeria. You must apply independently.
- PLAB 2 is ONLY available in Manchester, UK. Budget for visa, flights, and accommodation on top of the £1,036 exam fee.
- PLAB 1 seats in Lagos and Abuja fill within minutes. Set alerts and book immediately when slots open.
- MDCN Certificate of Good Standing fee increased 204% in 2024 to ₦350,000. Verify current fee on mdcn.gov.ng before paying.
- GMC IELTS requirement is higher than NMC (nursing): Overall 7.5, each component 7.0 minimum, single sitting only.
- Since January 2025, self-declaration of English proficiency is no longer accepted for Nigerian-trained doctors.
- Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge — saves £1,035/year.
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Start Free CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost for a Nigerian doctor to relocate to the UK in 2026?
Total out-of-pocket costs range from £3,500 to £5,500 (approximately ₦6M–₦10M). The biggest costs are PLAB 2 exam (£1,036) plus the Manchester trip (~£800–£1,500 for visa, flights, hotel), GMC registration (£574), PLAB 1 (£283), MDCN verification (₦390,000), and IELTS (₦299,000). Doctors are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
How long does it take for a Nigerian doctor to start working in the UK?
Best case: 6–9 months if everything goes first-time. Realistic timeline: 12–24 months. The bottlenecks are PLAB exam scheduling (only 4 sittings per year, seats fill fast) and PLAB 2 travel to Manchester. Start MDCN verification and IELTS preparation simultaneously to save time.
Can Nigerian doctors take PLAB 2 in Nigeria?
No. PLAB 2 is a clinical OSCE exam held ONLY in Manchester, UK. You must apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa (£115), fly to Manchester, and stay 3–5 nights. This is often the single largest hidden cost — budget £800–£1,500 for the trip on top of the £1,036 exam fee.
What IELTS score does a Nigerian doctor need for GMC registration?
The GMC requires IELTS Academic with: Overall 7.5 minimum, and at least 7.0 in every component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). This must be achieved in a single sitting — no combining scores from multiple attempts. This is higher than the NMC requirement for nurses (Overall 7.0). OET grade B in all four sub-tests is accepted as an alternative.
What salary can a Nigerian doctor expect in the UK?
NHS Foundation Year 1 (FY1) basic salary is £36,616 (2026/27), with total earnings around £45,900 including antisocial hours. FY2 pays £42,008 basic. Core/Specialty Training (ST1-2) pays £49,909. Higher Specialty Training (ST3+) pays £61,825. Total earnings are typically 25–37% higher than basic due to nights and weekends.
Is the MDCN Certificate of Good Standing expensive?
Yes, and it increased sharply. The fee rose 204% in 2024 to ₦350,000, plus a country-specific surcharge of at least ₦40,000 for the UK. Total: approximately ₦390,000+. This is a significant cost that many guides underestimate. Verify the current fee directly on mdcn.gov.ng as it may have changed again.
Sources & Verification
Every figure on this page was independently verified on 2026-04-09. We do not use AI training data for any costs, fees, or policy claims.
Verification Notes
MDCN fees increased 204% in 2024. The ₦350,000 figure is from FIJ.ng investigative reporting. Verify directly on mdcn.gov.ng as fees may have changed again.
PLAB fees (£283 and £1,036) are effective from 1 April 2026. Confirmed via multiple sources but GMC fee page updates can lag.
PLAB 2 travel costs (£800–£1,500) are estimated based on visitor visa fee, mid-range flights, and 3–5 night hotel stay in Manchester.
Written by Max Ayobami
Founder of Japa Calculator, Nigeria's first data-driven relocation decision tool. Every cost figure and expert tip on this page is independently researched and verified against official government and regulatory body sources.