Indian passport holders who are doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives need not attend IELTS and TOEFL for the application of General (Tier 2) Visas for the UK. Occupational English Test (OES) scores are enough for these applicants.
Previously, the candidates had to take the IELTS and TOEFL for the visa along with the OES to register with the two healthcare boards in the UK, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the General Medical Council. This change will apply to all the applications made after the 1st of October.
“The Home Office has also streamlined English language testing ensuring that doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives who have already passed an English language test accepted by the relevant professional body, do not have to sit another test before entry to the UK on a Tier 2 visa," stated the UK Government during the release.
The OET was mainly designed to ensure that the applicants meet the English language requirements of the healthcare sector and are able to practise the language proficiently. It is meant to examine the language expertise of the professionals in the sector. The OET examination is conducted by Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment (CBLA), which is a pursuit between Cambridge Assessment English and Box Hill Institute.