Everything about the PLAB Visa

 If you want to come to the U.K. for your PLAB preparation and exams, you need to apply for a UK visa from your home country. 

As I prepared and passed PLAB 1 from my home country India, I will be writing here about my process in getting the PLAB 2 visa. 

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Type 

The type of visa which I applied for was the Standard visitor visa. 

Clauses of the visa type

You can come to the UK as a Standard Visitor:

• for tourism, for example on a holiday or to see your family and friends
• for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting
• to do a short course of study
• to take part in research or an exchange programme as an academic
• for medical reasons, for example to receive private medical treatment

You cannot:

• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person
• live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits
• claim public funds (benefits)
• do a course of study that lasts longer than 6 months
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership. You’ll need a Marriage Visitor visa instead
  
  

Cost of application

8878 INR

Time of application

I applied for my visa 3 months before my date of travel to the U.K.

Place of application

Visa application center, New Delhi 

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Steps to be followed

1. Online visa application 
2. Pay for your visa online
3. Upload supporting documents online 
4. Attend appointment to provide biometrics and supporting documents
5. Receive your visa either from the application center or through the post ( as chosen earlier during application)
   
   

Documents attached to my application

A. Proof of identity 

1. Copy of passport 
2. Proof of address 

• Hostel allotment letter from my college

3. Copy of Aadhar Card ( National Identification Card )

B. Proof of sponsorship for the trip 

This includes the documents of your parents if they are the ones who are sponsoring your trip.

1. Copy of parents’ passport 
2. Copy of parents’ Aadhar card
3. Bank account statements for the past 6 months ( In these months, preferably, the statement should show a balance of approx. 2–3 times the amount of money you plan to spend in the U.K. )
4. Income tax returns for the current/previous year
5. Sponsor’s letter of support 

Courtesy — Road to U.K.

C. Documents supporting your purpose of visit

1. Accommodation booking
2. PLAB 2 Course booking confirmation ( from Dr. Swamy’s coaching institute)
3. PLAB 2 examination booking confirmation

D. Documents supporting your professional status

1. Internship completion certificate
2. Medical college’s final year mark sheet
3. IELTS certificate
4. PLAB 1 result certificate

E. Cover letter (important)

This will be a summary of your plans in the U.K. 

Courtesy — Road to U.K.

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Time taken to obtain the visa

I received a positive decision for my visa in 4 days. 

My total visa duration was of 6 months.

It can take up to 3 weeks to get a visa decision for most applicants. 

Tips

1. Please be honest about your reason for travel including the plans to attend the PLAB 2 academy course.
2. Plan well before time and provide all the supporting documents.