Visa & Licensing Requirements
Post-Brexit Visa Requirements
EU Citizens
- • Skilled Worker Visa required (post-Brexit)
- • Job offer from a UK-licensed sponsor needed
- • Employer must hold a valid sponsor licence
- • No longer automatic right to work in UK
Non-EU Citizens
- • Skilled Worker Visa required
- • Job offer from licensed UK sponsor
- • English language assessment may be required
- • Immigration skills charge applies to employer
💷 Salary threshold (2026): Veterinary surgeons must be paid at least £48,100/year to qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. A reduced new entrant rate of £33,390 may apply for those within 3 years of graduating or under 26.
✅ Process: Secure job offer → Employer applies for visa sponsorship → You apply for Skilled Worker Visa → Complete RCVS registration → Undergo health checks if required
RCVS Registration
Registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is mandatory before you can practise as a veterinary surgeon in the UK.
Requirements
- Registration with RCVS is mandatory to practise
- EAEVE-accredited EU degrees currently recognised — deadline January 2029, after which only RCVS-accredited degrees accepted
- Non-RCVS/non-EAEVE degrees require statutory membership exam
- English language proficiency required unless degree was taught entirely in English
- Health and character declarations required
- Letter of good standing from current licensing authority
Graduate Development (VetGDP)
- VetGDP mandatory for all new UK graduates — replaces the former PDP
- Completed over 12–18 months in your first role, earning 52.5 hours CPD
- Structured around Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) with a VetGDP Adviser
- Annual CPD requirements to maintain registration thereafter
- CertAVP available after gaining clinical experience
UK Programmes & Opportunities
Post-graduate Training Programs
Structured graduate development programmes with CVS, IVC Evidensia, Linnaeus, Medivet, Vets4Pets, and VetPartners.
View allInternships & Residencies
UK university rotating internships, BEVA equine internships, and European College residency programmes.
View allPostgraduate Certificates (CertAVP)
RCVS-accredited CertAVP programmes from RVC, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham, and Surrey.
View all