International optometrists

Guidance on how to apply as an optometrist who qualified outside the UK.

Upcoming changes to the international application process

The GOC has published an evaluation of non-UK optometry qualifications against its Education and Training Requirements (ETR). This forms part of a forthcoming revised process for managing applications from overseas-qualified professionals who wish to join the register. Read the full evaluation. Entry to any recommended short or full course will be subject to the admissions criteria set by the education provider.

How this may affect you

A new international application process is expected to come into effect in early 2027. We strongly encourage you to review the Non-UK Optometry Qualifications Evaluation Guidance to understand how these changes may affect you.  

These changes may impact: 

New applicants 
Applicants currently progressing through the GOC international registration process
Applicants who have already received an outcome.

As part of planned changes, the College of Optometrists is developing an ETR-compliant short qualification as an alternative to the Scheme for Registration.

Once this is fully approved and launched:

The Scheme for Registration will be closed to UK and international applicants who have not started the Scheme for Registration.
Entry onto the ETR compliant short qualification will be subject to eligibility criteria set by education providers.
You can continue to apply for the SfR to ensure that you secure a placement and begin your pre-registration qualification within the required timeframe.

Please note: We cannot guarantee completion of the current process before the new approach is introduced. You should therefore carefully consider this information when deciding whether to proceed under the current process. 

For more information about changes related to the Scheme for Registration, please see Stage 5 below.

Further information

Updates will be published here in due course. We recommend that you check regularly for the latest information.

Who can apply under the current process?

If you are an optometrist who qualified in the United States or Canada, you may be eligible for direct entry to the General Optical Council (GOC) register, and should read this page instead.

All other optometrists who qualified outside of the UK can apply for GOC registration if:

You have undertaken three years’ full time (or equivalent part-time) optometry training in your country of qualification which is an equivalent level to a post-baccalaureate qualification in the United Kingdom.
You are legally qualified to practise optometry in a country outside of the UK;
You have practised for one year within the last ten years (unsupervised practice, post-qualification)
You are registered with a regulatory body in your country of practice (if your profession is regulated)
You have demonstrated your English language proficiency by taking one of the following tests at an official test centre:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

You must achieve an overall score of 7.0 in the Academic IELTS test. Individual scores for each section must not be lower than 6.0, except for the ‘Speaking’ section where a minimum score of 7.0 is required.

Please note: We do not accept online IELTS tests (such as IELTS Indicator) or IELTS One Skill Retake. We only accept IELTS tests; other English language tests are not accepted.

For more information on booking an official IELTS test, please visit the British Council IELTS website.

You have verified your professional qualifications through our partner’s platform, Qualification Check (QC).

How to apply

To apply, you must first complete our self-assessment form. We will respond to you via email within three working days and include details of all documentation required including an application form, if eligible.

Prior to submitting your application form

Prior to submitting your completed application form to the GOC, your qualification needs to be verified using  Qualification Check (QC), the link is also provided within the email sent with your application form. They use a Global Verification service to check your academic or professional qualifications directly with the education institute. There will be a cost for this service, the prices are available on the QC website. Please see our step-by-step guide to complete the QC check. The QC check must be completed prior to submitting your international application to the General Optical Council (GOC) or the application will be closed.

Please ensure that you have familiarised yourself with our guidance on Working in the UK .

Submitting your application form

The completed application form and supportive documents should be emailed to [email protected]. Please do not submit hard copies by post.

How much will it cost?

The international optometry process includes the requirement to pay a number of different fees depending on progression of the application. These payments should be made within 14 days of the invoice being issued:

£130 scrutiny fee of the application form and supporting documents;
£455 for assessment of the application; and
£205 for the interview.
Total: £790

Please note that the payment of these fees are non-refundable (including in the event that your application is closed or you are unable to proceed).

If you undertake training within the UK (including completion of the College of Optometrists' Scheme for Registration), you will be required to apply for student registration in accordance with our normal processes. The current fee for student registration is £30.

Outline of route to registration

Once we have received the completed application form and relevant supporting documents, you will be required to pay the scrutiny fee. This is to be paid as soon as possible within 14 days. Please note that the application will be cancelled if the fee is not paid within this timescale.

Stage 1

Initial scrutiny of the application will be completed by our staff to ensure that your application meets our requirements and that you have provided all the necessary documents and information. We will contact you if we require further details.

How long will it take:

Once the fee has been received the initial scrutiny of your application will be made, you will be contacted if any additional information is required. This review will be completed within 28 days from the date that the fee has been paid.

Stage 2

Once all relevant documents have been received and your application meets our requirements, you will be required to pay the assessment fee. This is to be paid as soon as possible, within 14 days. Please note that the application will be cancelled if the fee is not paid within this timescale. Once the fee has been received the application will be sent to our panel of assessors.

Our non-UK assessors will compare your qualifications and experience against the UK standards of competence. They will assess whether these are equivalent to our stage 1 and stage 2 competencies and minimum patient experience requirements required of a UK graduate. They will also advise whether you can proceed to the interview or advise rejection of your application at this stage;
If you are invited to an interview, this will take place virtually between you and two non-UK assessors. The interview will give the assessors an opportunity to discuss your application and will last between 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

How long will it take:

This assessment will be completed within 4 months from the date that the fee has been paid.

Once the assessment has been completed you will be informed whether you can proceed to the interview stage or if your application has been rejected.

Stage 3

If you are to proceed to interview stage, you will be required to pay the interview fee. This is to be paid as soon as possible, within 14 days. Please note that the application will be cancelled if the fee is not paid within this timescale.

After the interview, we will write to you to advise you of the outcome. The potential outcomes are:

Proceed to the College of Optometrists’ Scheme for Registration
Proceed to the College of Optometrists’ Scheme for Registration with trailing competencies;
Undertake further training this is usually in the form of adaptation courses (theory or practical); or
Rejection.

If you are required to complete any further training, this will be at your own cost. Fees for the College of Optometrists’ Scheme for Registration will be taken by the College. Please see the College’s website for an up to date list of fees.

How long will it take:

Once the fee has been received, we will be able to secure the interview slot you have been allocated. We are unable to secure any bookings until payment has been received. This can take up to 2 months depending on the availability of both you and the reviewing assessors,
Once the interview has concluded you will receive an outcome letter within 14 days.

Guidance on the interview:

The interview will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams so please ensure that you have a reliable internet connection for the purpose of the interview. The interview will last between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes.
To prepare for the interview, you should re-read your application form and supporting documents. You should be prepared to discuss and provide further details.
If required, supporting evidence of any new information discussed in your interview may be requested.
If you have a disability within the scope of the Equality Act 2010, we may be able to make reasonable adjustments for you during the interview. Please advise your allocated Registration Officer at the point of your interview being arranged.

Stage 4

The non-UK Assessors will provide you with one of the following recommendations:

You will be recommended to complete the Scheme for Registration.

You will be recommended to complete the Scheme for Registration however during the course you will be required to complete trailing competencies.

If you do not meet all of the stage 1 competencies, you will be required to undertake further academic training in the form of adaption courses (this may consist of theory and or practical training) prior to completion of the Scheme for Registration.

* Please note, if further education and training is required, the assessors will specifically identify which competencies have not been met. It will then be your responsibility to identify and secure a suitable provider to complete this. You will need to provide a proposal to the GOC for approval prior to starting the placement. Depending on the recommendation, you may be required to pay a fee to the provider for their course. We are unable to specify how long your adaption course(s) may take to complete as this is dependent on you and the course provider. Additionally, we are unable to assist applicants with Visa advice and/or sponsorship, as this does not form part of the GOC's statutory function. If you are experiencing Visa related issues you may wish to seek independent legal advice.

Your application may be rejected as you have not met the mandatory criteria.

Please note that the findings detailed in the outcome letter will remain valid from 2 years from the date of issue.

Stage 5

At this stage, you are required to complete the College of Optometrists’ Scheme for Registration (SfR).

Completion of the Scheme for Registration

If you are deemed suitable to join the Scheme for Registration, it is your responsibility to secure a work placement and contact the College of Optometrists to apply. Further details about the Scheme are available on the College’s website.

Before starting the Scheme, you must ensure you meet the relevant visa requirements to work in the UK. The College may be able to provide guidance on this.

You should also be aware that:

There are time limits for completing the Scheme, as outlined in the College’s guidance.

A fee is payable to the College

You should carefully consider the information set out on this page when deciding whether to proceed under the current process. 