The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Medical Training Initiative (MTI) supports international medical graduates (IMGs) who are seeking short-term training opportunities in the UK. Doctors can come to the UK for up to 24 months under the UK Border Agency’s Tier 5 immigration rules, before returning to their home countries. The RCP London’s MTI scheme can sponsor doctors who are seeking to train in physician specialities.
Frequently asked questions about Medical Training Initiative (MTI).
This page contains information for potential applicants as well as doctors who are in the process of applying for the MTI scheme.
MTI, eligibility and securing a post
RCP certificate confirms participation in the medical training initiative.
What are the requirements for MTI certificate?
The certificate will be issued to MTI doctors providing following requirements have been met:
- The MTI doctor has been in post for a minimum of 6 months (exception will be considered for pre-approved shorter posts)
- Employment dates have been confirmed – example of accepted documents are Starter report and End of placement report (if using Government authorised exchange visa), official email from employing NHS organisation
- The MTI doctor has completed the End of Placement Survey, which was sent by the MTI team
- The UK supervisor of the MTI doctor has completed the End of Placement Survey, which was sent by the MTI team
- A copy of the End of Placement Appraisal, completed with the UK supervisor, has been shared with the MTI team
How to request the MTI certificate and how long does it take to receive it?
Certificate request can only be made by the doctor who has participated in the MTI. The certificate can be requested up to one month before the end date of the post, to do so please complete the request form.
The certificate will be issued no sooner than on the last working day, as per the employment dates provided. We endeavour to review and process certificate requests monthly at the end of each month.
A digital copy of the certificate will be issued free of charge, and will be sent via email. If a hard copy is needed, a fee of £25 will be charged to cover the processing, printing and postage costs. Please inform the team if you are requiring a paper copy and we will advise how to complete the payment. We endeavour to print and post the hard copy of the certificate within two months from the payment date.
What if details on the medical training initiative (MTI) certificate are incorrect?
To prepare the certificate, we use information recorded on our database. If you think the information may be incorrect or there has been a change in circumstances, please email the MTI team on mti@rcp.ac.uk. Include details of the discrepancy and any relevant information and evidence.
An organisation/authority in my home country want to verify my MTI certificate. What is the procedure?
Firstly, please check if it is necessary to verify your MTI certificate. The MTI certificate is not a formal medical qualification, such as a diploma programme of the medical training programme. It can only serve as a confirmation of participation in the MTI scheme run by the RCP.
To request certificate verification, please follow the steps below:
1. For certificate verification requests, contact the MTI team via email mti@rcp.ac.uk . The message should include details of verification request, and relevant documents. If request is made by a third-party organisation, a consent form should be included as well.
2. If the consent form is not included in the verification request, we will contact you directly to request consent in writing for sharing relevant information we hold with the organisation which has made the verification request.
3. After the consent is received, we will review and respond to the verification request, please allow 20 working days for this process.
4. Once the verification process has been completed, we will contact you to confirm that we have responded to the organisation’s request.
Please note that we can only verify MTI certificate, the MTI team is unable to verify any other certificates or documents issued by the RCP.
Application process
The RCP charges MTI application fee to cover some of the administration costs involved in administering the GMC registration and obtaining the CoS for the Government Authorised Exchange visa, as well as the work involved in supporting MTI doctors throughout their training in the UK, including organising dedicated MTI events and providing pastoral support.
The RCP MTI application fee is £1020 which comprises of:
- £300 initial fee. This is a non-refundable fee payable when the application is submitted
- £720 application fee, payable when approved for sponsorship by the RCP.
Other fees associated with the proces*:
- General Medical Council (GMC) – £455 registration fee
- Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa – £298 for each person applying
- NHS health surcharge - £1,035 fee per year, can apply for reimbursement after commencing work
- Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates fee for verification of qualifications (variable amount)
*Fees correct as of September 2024
Documents that may be required as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Most recent version of CV (template available)
- Professional postgraduate experience (PPE) form (template provided)
- Primary medical qualification certificate in the original language and translated if necessary
- Pre-registration verification of primary medical qualification (PMG)
- Evidence of completion of internship or practical training or housemanship
- Postgraduate medical qualification (PGQ) in the original language and translated if necessary
- Certificate of good standing (CGS) from each country where training has been undertaken, including current country of work
- English language certificate: British Council Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test OR medicine version of the Occupational English Test (OET).
- Offer letter from UK hospital confirming offer of post, which should include title of post, salary and star and end dates or letter of funding if receiving scholarship or bursary
- Copy of job description and timetable of post offered
- Structured references including cover letters (template available)
- RCP MTI application form
- Academy of medical royal colleges (AoMRC) consent form
GMC registration
All doctors practicing in the UK need to be registered with the general medical council (GMC). Doctors participating in the MTI scheme are able to apply for GMC registration through sponsorship route, the RCP is an approved GMC sponsor.
Please see the GMC website for advice on selecting the most suitable route to registration and additional information.
Visa information
Begin Your MTI Application
We are delighted that you are considering the Medical Training Initiative (MTI) with the Royal College of Physicians. To start your application, it is essential that you have already secured a suitable post with a hospital.
Once your post is confirmed, you can proceed with your application through our online portal. Before you begin, please ensure you have reviewed the following resources:
MTI A complete guide: This comprehensive guide provides detailed information about the scheme and the eligibility criteria.
MTI Portal step-by-step guide: This guide offers clear instructions on how to complete the online application form.
These resources are designed to help you navigate the application process smoothly and efficiently.
To begin your application, please click the button below:
Start your applicationContact us
If you have any query relating to the Medical Training Initiative (MTI), please get in touch.
The MTI team is available to respond to telephone queries on +44 (0)20 3075 1631. If you are unable to speak to us please leave a voicemail.
The MTI team can also be reached via email: mti@rcp.ac.uk
Get in touch