International optometrists
Guidance on how to apply as an optometrist who qualified outside the UK.
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Register from overseas
Optometrists from the United States and Canada
If you qualified as an optometrist in the USA or Canada, you may be eligible for direct entry to the GOC register, provided you meet our requirements.
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International dispensing opticians
Guidance on how to apply to join as a dispensing optician as an international applicant.
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Working in the United Kingdom
Information about working as an optical professional in the UK.
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Registering from overseas self assessment
The form to apply to join our register as an international applicant.
View moreLatest data on registering from overseas (April–September 2025)
Between April and September 2025, a total of 82 individuals applied for entitlement to practise in the UK. Of these, 57 individuals were granted entitlement.
Among those granted recognition:
- 1 individual held an FBDO Overseas qualification
- 1 individual held an EU Diploma
- 7 individuals held an EU undergraduate degree.
- 48 individuals held a postgraduate qualification.
In terms of professional experience:
- 33 individuals had between 1–5 years of experience.
- 14 individuals had between 6–10 years of experience.
- 4 individuals had between 11–14 years of experience.
- 6 individuals had 15+ years of experience.
We will continue to publish statistics on overseas registrations every six months to support transparency and monitoring.