FROM PLAB TO RESIDENCY: SOL, RLMT And how they affect the PLAB journey

There is a UK Government body called The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). 

It is an independent, non-statutory, non-time limited, non-departmental public body that advises the government on migration issues.

They regularly review what we call the SOL list.

The SOL list is called the shortage occupation list.

What is this list?

It is an official list of occupations for which there are not enough resident workers to fill the available vacancies. Its usually easier to get jobs if the job you’re applying for is on this list. It also helps with obtaining visa, especially that of the tier 2.

On October 6 2019, the shortage occupation list was updated in line with the MAC's recommendation to add medical practitioners and several other health roles to the list.

Click here to get more detail on the SOL list, other jobs on the list and latest updates.

RLMT

Resident labour market test.

Simply put, before employers in the UK offer a non-citizen like you a job, they must prove that there is no UK citizen that is eligible for that job. and for good reason.

Now it involves the employer leaving the job open exclusively to Uk/EU citizens for a certain amount of time.

Only after then can the job be offered to immigrants.

This is the genesis of the round system of applications when applying for specialist training.

To know more about RLMT, click here.

Note, as of october 6 2019, when medical practitioners were added to the SOL list, we became exempt to the RLMT as other jobs on the SOL list.

Note however, that as from JAN 2021, the RLMT would be totally abolished and we would be in uncharted territory then.

Regularly check this page for updates regarding the rules.