MRCP(UK) Visa Statement for candidates visiting the UK
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.
Applying Early
If you are applying from a country where the processing of visas is known to take some time, we encourage you to apply early (up to and no earlier than six weeks before the official closing date). Your application will then be stored at the Administration Offices and processed as soon as possible after the official opening date. No correspondence will be entered into before the official opening date. To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you have read the MRCP(UK) Regulations and submitted all relevant documentation, as outlined on the application forms.
If applications from candidates who are likely to encounter visa problems are received prior to two weeks before the official closing date with an attached letter detailing the reasons for the need of early processing then we will try and accommodate such requests ensuring that such applications will be entered on the system and an acknowledgement letter will be produced and dispatched by the examination closing date. If such applications are not received by the above closing date, then we cannot guarantee that they will be processed in due time and no special arrangements will be made for their early processing.
Candidate's Responsibility
It is ultimately the candidate's responsibility to ensure that they can meet the requirements concerning entry to any particular country for attendance at one of the 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 as we cannot guarantee that we will be able to refund Examination Fees if we do not receive notification of withdrawal before the examination closing date.
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 see any visa application rejected.
Notice of Withdrawal
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.
Further Information
If you require any further information, please contact the College to which you have applied or intend to apply (if you are applying to take PACES in the UK). Contact details are available here. If you are applying to take PACES outside the UK, you should contact the local organiser.