Register from overseas

We will be withdrawing our approval of the BSc Optometry qualification at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) with effect from 31 October 2026.

Applicants who submit an application to the GOC on or before 31 October 2026 will be eligible to apply through the current approved fast-track registration route.

What does this mean for applicants who apply from 1 November 2026 onwards

Applicants who have applied on or after 1 November 2026 will be required to complete the current international registration process and meet all applicable registration requirements.

Future international registration arrangements

We are currently developing new international routes to registration as part of the Education and Training Requirements (ETR) programme. Further information will be published on our website as it becomes available.

Between October 2025 and March 2026, a total of 77 individuals applied for entitlement to practise in the UK. Over the same period, 78 individuals were granted entitlement.

Among those granted recognition:

• 1 individual held an EU undergraduate degree.
• 77 individuals held a postgraduate qualification.

In terms of professional experience:

• 32 individuals had between 1–5 years of experience.
• 28 individuals had between 6–10 years of experience.
• 13 individuals had between 11–14 years of experience.
• 5 individuals had 15+ years of experience.

We will continue to publish statistics on overseas registrations every six months to support transparency and monitoring.