The MRCP(UK) Central Office is aware of the difficulties encountered by some candidates in obtaining visas in sufficient time to attend the MRCP(UK) Examination in the UK and other countries around the world.

If you are applying from a country where the processing of visas is known to take some time, we encourage you to apply as early as possible within the advertised application period and add a cover letter if you wish to request evidence from Central Office to assist with your visa application. Please note that no correspondence will be entered into before the official opening date and Central Office will only be able to provide a standard letter stating your intention to sit the exam providing your application is complete. This will not include exact exam dates (for PACES) or venue details. To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you have read the MRCP(UK) Regulations and submitted all relevant documentation.

If such requests are not received by the exam closing date we cannot guarantee that they will be processed in due time.

It is ultimately the candidate's responsibility to ensure that they can meet the requirements concerning entry to any particular country for attendance at MRCP(UK) Examinations. This is a matter over which the Royal Colleges of Physicians have no control and can accept no responsibility. We therefore ask each candidate to consider carefully whether there is a possibility of having their visa application rejected or not processed in time. Examination fee refunds are not usually provided if notification of withdrawal is received after the closing date unless there are exceptional circumstances, as noted in the MRCP(UK) Regulations. If a candidate feels that they were affected by exceptional circumstances they must state this in writing and provide documentary evidence in order for their case to be considered.

Please also bear in mind that the MRCP(UK) Central Office is asked by immigration authorities to verify details of examination attendance and status of applications. It is therefore not advisable to make any false statement to these authorities as this is likely to result in any visa application being rejected.

If we do not receive notification that a candidate is going to withdraw before the examination closing date, we have to make arrangements as if they are going to attend. The Colleges will have already met the cost of delivering the examination (fees and expenses of Examiners, Board Members and Invigilators; setting the paper; booking a venue; postage / photocopying / printing of papers, courier charges and so on) on behalf of the candidates and it is therefore considered appropriate that a fee should be payable.

If you require any further information, please contact the College to which you have applied or intend to apply.