Pathway timeline visualiser

An illustrative editorial scenario of the PLAB route, laid out in parallel lanes. Our scenarios range from roughly 12 to 30 months from the start date to a first NHS shift, but these are our assumptions, not researched or guaranteed forecasts. Only the PLAB result waits are published by the GMC; the other durations are our estimates. It assumes the PLAB route, that you meet the eligibility and internship requirements, and that no step is done yet.

Your situation

Parallel-lane timeline

Illustrative: start October 2026 → first NHS shift March 2028 (about 17 months)

M0
M3
M6
M9
M12
M15

English test

English test (book → sit → result)October 2026 → December 2026

PLAB 1 & 2

Wait for PLAB 1 slotDecember 2026 → February 2027
PLAB 1 sit → resultFebruary 2027 → April 2027
Wait for PLAB 2 slot (Manchester)April 2027 → August 2027
PLAB 2 sit → resultAugust 2027 → September 2027

EPIC verification

EPIC verificationApril 2027 → August 2027

GMC registration

GMC registration decisionSeptember 2027 → October 2027

NHS job + visa + start

NHS job search → offerOctober 2027 → January 2028
Certificate of Sponsorship → visa decisionJanuary 2028 → February 2028
Arrival + trust induction → first shiftFebruary 2028 → March 2028
Effort task (you control)External wait (regulator, school, UKVI)