We’re there when you need us.
We’ve been representing doctors for 190 years, so we know exactly how it is for international doctors, such as trust grade or clinical fellows, who are new to the UK.
We know the challenges you might face, which is why we offer help to understand immigration and guidance with how the NHS works, from operations to ethics.
We know that you need support at work, so we provide individual employment advice, access to specialist legal and financial services, and we can help with issues that affect your pay and the terms of your contract.
We know that your work can be challenging - so we provide confidential wellbeing advice and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as counselling for you and your family.
We know that you’re looking to progress during and after training in the UK; so we provide access to BMJ learning, a tool that gives you access to hundreds of CPD-accredited modules where you can learn clinical and non-clinical skills for every aspect of your professional development.
We’re now offering free membership for all international doctors, such as trust grade or clinical fellows, in their first year living in the UK.
We’ll look after you. You look after your patients.
Sign up for the new to the UK IMG e-resource
We understand how important it is for doctors who are new to the UK to have access to advice and support. This is why we have created a ‘New to the UK e-resource’, which includes toolkits and guidance on topics such as ‘Training in the UK and your visa’, ‘Striking as an IMG’, ‘Writing your medical CV’, and ‘How the NHS works’.
What our IMG members say
Find out how Marvee's BMA membership was invaluable to her when she moved from Pakistan to work in Colchester Hospital as a trust grade doctor.
Find out how a BMA membership has helped Olugbenga since his move to Northern Ireland from Nigeria.
Find out how a BMA membership was invaluable to Myat when she moved from Myanmar Burma to work in South Yorkshire.
Find out how Shreevatsa's BMA membership helped him to navigate new systems when he moved from Mumbai to work at Ipswich Hospital.
As an IMG, it is often difficult to achieve a career goal. Comprehensive support from BMA can make the journey easier. Whether it is a visa problem or a workplace bullying issue I always get help and expert advice from BMA. Thank you, BMA.Dr Ismot, locally employed doctor
All the backup you need
We’ve been on call for the medical profession for a long time. That’s why we offer backup and assistance to doctors throughout their career, from learning & development, through contract and pension support, to someone to talk to if you need them, and much more.
Backup when you need it most.
Being new to the UK, we know what support you might need:
- Immigration advice.
- Guidance on the UK healthcare system - from qualifications and how the NHS works, to ethics guidance.
- Once you have your rota, use our tools to check you’re working the correct hours and that you’re reporting any exceptions.
- Advice on all areas of your working life, such as remuneration, holidays and leave, training, work relationships, legal issues, and performance.
- A dedicated pension team to answer your queries.
- Access to independent financial advisers and insurance providers.
All the resources you need to learn new skills and enhance your career.
Joining the BMA gives you access to:
- BMA library and archive services, providing access to the top e-journals and e-books
- point of care support with ClinicalKey to help with everything from diagnosis to treatment planning
- hundreds of CPD-accredited clinical and non-clinical modules with BMJ Learning
- member exclusive discounts for BMJ Masterclasses.
- leading medical research journal, The BMJ, online and a weekly print version to keep you up to date with the latest medical news – worth £1049 a year for qualified members.
There is always someone to talk to.
We know how difficult it can be to manage your workload, especially in a new country. That’s why we’ve ensured that you have help if you need it:
- Free and confidential 24/7 counselling line and peer support service open to all doctors and medical students.
- BMA members, plus their partners and dependents, can access a free structured course of up to six sessions of therapy with a counsellor.
- A UK wellbeing support directory detailing various support services by geographical availability.
1st year living in the UK.
Offer includes all of the above benefits.
FREE *
2nd year living in the UK
Offer includes all of the above benefits
£10.50 per month *
3rd year living in the UK
Offer includes all of the above benefits
£20.75 per month *
* Standard membership cost
For comparison, normal membership prices are:
1st year = £20 per month
2nd year = £20 per month
3rd year + = Relevant rate based on YSQ
Included in your membership
- BMA Law services at member-exclusive rates for you and your family.
- Independent financial advice and services from Chase De Vere Medical.
- The BMJ online.
- BMJ Learning, providing hundreds of clinical and non-clinical CPD accredited e-learning modules.
- Point of care support with ClinicalKey.
A case that looked impossible at first glance, with his help [BMA employment advisor] I came out of it, quoting my director 'without a scratch' all due to the help of the BMA.Dr Derek, IMG and GP Specialty Trainee
1. Complete our easy online application form in 5 minutes.
2. You’re a member! Start enjoying your benefits straight away.
3. We’ll send you a welcome pack in the post.
We are here to help from the moment you join us. If you have a need that predates your BMA membership, assistance may be limited to telephone and email advice only. Contact the BMA to discuss any issue you have and we will let you know where you stand.
BMA membership is a recurring yearly membership. The subscription year runs from 1 October to 30 September.
New - membership will be free to all doctors in their first year living in the UK, the second year will be at a discounted rate, equivalent to a first-year resident doctor member.
We only offer direct debit as an option when joining online, with the ability to pay monthly or as an annual payment. It is possible to discuss other options for payment with our Membership Services team via our employment advice form.
See our full membership FAQs page for more information about joining or get in touch.
