4 day Plab Workshop (Step I) in India

This is an in depth workshop . It is an intensive course. Lectures on Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology etc. try to emphasize on all the important topics for Plab, making things simpler for candidates during their preparation for the exam. Practice is given in solving EMQ’S {NEW FORMAT FROM 4TH JULY' 2000 ONWARDS }. This 4 day workshop is organized in Mumbai,Calcutta,Bangalore and Delhi and is conducted by doctors who are well versed with medical practice in the UK . They coach you to have a better grasp of the subjects commonly asked in the Plab examination.During all these workshops Dr.Mahadeo comes from UK to guide the attending doctors. This workshop puts doctors on the right path for Plab preparation . We recommend this course for those who are immediately appearing for their exam as well as those who want to begin their preparations . Our courses are generally held around one month before the Indian Plab exam date. During this workshop there would be an elaborate discussion on the important topics in Medicine, Surgery, Obs/Gyn etc., repeatedly stressed upon in PLAB.

Dr. Mahadeo who has been coaching students for PLAB in U.K. for past 5 years would be here to guide you and explain the nuances of the exam. You are also welcome to make use of this opportunity to put to rest your queries on job opportunities in U.K., prospects after PLAB, lodging and boarding in U.K. etc. In short all questions which may arise on contemplating this exam would be handled during this workshop.

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We cannot quote exact fares as the fares are subject to change at any given time but we could still get you best fares and above all single fares if you purchase the ticket from us.

Fares for the month of April 2005. Fares may alter as they are subjected to change.

Doctors who have availed of our library facility in Eastham have found it to be very satisfying. Those who still opt for the UK to sit their step I Plab exam do so only for the floating study material available in Eastham. But a lot of hardships and mental agony is experienced by some in the process of getting a UK visa. We are planning to get the much sought after material in our center in Mumbai and soon after in Calcutta and Bangalore. Certain arrangements and economics have to be worked out but the Library should be functional very soon. Do send us your email address and you will be informed about the development.

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VISA

    

VISA Facts

Link to 'British High Commission' for VISA information and form.

VISA refusal stories

VISA Information for Doctors in Pakistan

VISA advise

VISA Facts:

1. Prior to October 2nd 2000, single entry VISA's were issued for 6 months, generally as a "tourist" or "for PLAB". Since then VISA's are being issued for upto 1 year or even 2 years, and are multiple-entry. This means that you can travel between India and UK as many times as you want, without having to get a new VISA

2. The cost of the VISA is Rs.2300/- for a 6 month single entry but these are subject to change and should be found out from the British High Commission at the time of VISA application.

3. On getting a job, you change your VISA to "permit free" VISA only then you can begin work in the hospital and be paid for it! The change of VISA happens within a day as soon as you produce the GMC registration and take it and your passport to the immigration office.

4. If you don’t get a job in the first 6 months, your VISA has expired, you could extend it for another 6 months within the UK.

5. The following are a few of the reasons in the recent past that doctors have been refused visas. In our history of 5 years and more than 5000 letters of support, we have never had a case where in visa was refused irrevocably. Every few months, there are a a few cases who have been refused because of their own mistakes and sometimes entirely inexplicable logic by the visa officer. What we recommend is that you don't lie to the visa officer, that is not a good idea. You should however highlight the facts which will make him comfortable about your UK visit.

6. Your Finance : You are expected to have some money in your accounts. As a student going for a course, the money expected is pretty huge but as a doctor, a few lacs in the bank should generate confidence in the officer. Property in your name or that of your parents should be of some help as well.

   Recent deposits of large amount of money in your bank account is a surest way of getting VISA refused as it makes them suspicious.

7. Your sponsor's finances: This is perhaps more relevant than your finances in home country. If you have a sponsor do ask him/her to include bank statements for 3 months as well as something to show that they have a house large enough etc.

8. Purpose of visit: You have nothing to hide in terms of your PLAB and planned training to last a few years in the UK. "Why do you want to train in the UK" is a question you get asked very often and you have to probably tell them something about learning the western ways of medicine etc. "The exchange rate is favourably biased and as a consequence this becomes a financially justifiable venture" is perhaps not best used during a visa interview!

   On more than one occasion our doctors have been asked to show a work permit. As a PLAB doctor, you don't need that. You will be working "permit free" and you have to remind that to the VISA officer who may seem not to know this.

9. VISA extension in the UK: Your visa period has been mentioned when granted and there are 2 possible outcomes. You pass or fail and then run out of VISA time, your VISA may run out just before or after the second attempt. In any case, if you don't have a job before the visa runs out, you can go for a VISA extension. That is pretty much a formality, however this often means you have to show a letter from your sponsor who will give details of his house as well as his/her financial ability (bank statements). If you are sponsored, we do this for you without a charge.
       
10. Changing VISA from visitor to "permit free" : You go to the home office with a letter of appointment from your hospital and the GMC registration you can get your visa changed to permit free on the same day. They also ask for a letter from your sponsor and bank statements and if you are sponsored, we do that for you.

Experiences with getting VISA from India:

VISA is not a big problem, unlike the US VISA, only a few are refused VISA. The VISA form is available beforehand and you may fill it and take it with you. The officer mainly wants to confirm that you can fend for yourself in the months leading upto the examination and beyond before you get a job. They also would like to hear that you will return back to India when you are done with your training! You can show that you have reasons to return back (such a family house, a promise of a job etc)

A PLAB admit card is almost a must.. You dont need "no objection certificates" from anyone.

On some occassions the VISA officers have allegedly asked (unbecoming) questions, possibly due to a basic ignorance of the special VISA doctors have, to work in the UK. You should point out that doctors and dentists don’t need a "work permit", they can work on a "permit free training" type VISA.

On one occassion one of our boys was refused VISA as his English was not "upto the mark we expect of a doctor". On his behalf we explained that this doctor had passed his IELTS and that was proof enough of his skills in English, which the officer accepted and gave in.

At Heathrow, the VISA is but a formality, only those with forged documents are sent back.

What are the common mistakes our doctors make:

Lying for anything to a VISA officer is a problem. Don’t produce any forged or wrong documents.

If they ask how long do you want to stay in UK, tell honestly that after the exam, I will be looking for a training post, and the earliest I return could be months or even a year odd.

Not taking proper support letters from UK and PLAB entry letter is not helpful.

Refusal of VISA by the US on your passport is often counterproductive.

VISA information for Doctors in Pakistan

VISA's in Pakistan have their special problems. We are aware that the British High Commission takes exceptionally long for VISA processing. They are also very careful about documents presented. Its also true that it often takes longer to reach Pakistan.

To ensure prompt service, this is what we plan to do:

1. Doctors in Pakistan will register paying 80 pounds addressed to "Dr. Bhide" at 1st floor, 2A Burges Road, EastHam, London E6 2 BH.
2. Immediate confirmation of receipt of the fees will be provided, so send your email ids without fail.
3. Remember to keep your mail box empty!
4. If you want us to courier your sponsorship letter by DHL you need to pay 20 pounds extra. So the registration fee becomes 100 pounds and not 80 pounds.

Every month we would sent a copy of the original letter to you, to the British HighCommision for their records, that way they will trust the scanned copy you have received from us.

VISA advise:-

That letter is not the WP which is a single page of certificate. it is telling them what to do about your "leave to remain". You have bypassed it, by going to India. You just need theoriginal WP and that is the end of the matter!

Extending your PP is not a big thing in London. The Indian Embassy does it for you. You write an application and then get it the next day. I think it costs less than £20.

Take the original WP and go to India and you can come back in a week! There is no difference in the WP applied for when you are in UK or in India. If your HR person has any queries or confusion,I can talk to her. I have seen this situation present more than a dozen times by now and each time, the candidate went home and got the entry clearance within a day.

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Sponsored doctors (partial or complete) can open bank account in UK ?

Opening an account with the HSBC (London) bank is just another facility we are adding no cost to the candidate. We think moving with Travellers Cheques and cash in UK is not a clever thing, having a bank account makes sense.

Why is opening bank account such a tricky thing ? Should we not get it by right ?

You have to see things from the UK bankers perspective first. PLAB doctor is a visitor to the UK. He/She is unemployed. UK banks are not interested in opening bank accounts for them. Why should they? And besides, after 9/11 they have the other hassle of terrorism and drug money laundering and the govt regulations and clamping down on this aspect.
We had negotiated with Barclays bank 6 years ago, persuaded them after months of negotiations and then they opened accounts for doctors for PLAB. After 9/11 they shut that system.
We have been negotiating with HSBC on and off for a year and more intensely last few months and they have relented as they have reasons to be nice to YBES. However they have found this answer, and specified requirements, intro letter from banks, YBES intro, and GMC letter stating east ham address. We now cannot ask them any more can we?

Why cannot we open accounts with other banks ?

SBI, Bank of Baroda, Maharashtra bank have all been approached, however we found all of them to be reluctant to have an open mind and do anything different from what they have been doing for all these years. You cannot forget that they have been employed in a socialist frame of mind and their mind set fixed. We get promises of help, and we send doctors to one of these banks and then the doctors are refused help last minute. We have always painted them a business picture, telling them how important is to be nice to these doctors, as they are rich people of tomorrow!

How much money do we need to keep in this account in the UK ? Can we transfer this account to where our job or clinical attachment is later ?

The HSBC account is opened the week you land in the UK. You dont have to pay anything for keeping an account. After you get a job anywhere in the UK, you could still keep that account and work it, as your bank, your salary could go in that account, all your instructions could be done on phone. Most don’t go to a bank at all, with tele-banking and internet banking!


Is this facility available only to the Indian students ? What do I need from my home country to open this bank account ?

This facility is available to all those doing the 2 week course or sponsorship and that has got something to do with the fact that we have to vouch that we know the candidate for more than 6 months. It is not important what nationality the students is, we have opened bank accounts for Pakistani, Srilankan, Phillipino as well as Canadian doctors. All that we have to insist is that there is an original introduction letter by the home country HSBC bank manager vouching the registered home address of the doctor in his home country. Without HSBC account at home, we are helpless. If you don’t have a proper introduction letter by the HSBC manager at home, you can have a bank statement addressed to you at your home address, that is good enough.

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