How to register if you qualified in South Africa

You can apply up to six months before you’d like to join our Register. Unfortunately we can’t hold open applications sent to us more than six months in advance.

• Step 1: Check that your qualification is recognised
• Step 2: Find out which type of visa or work permit you need
• Step 3: Gather your documents
• Step 4: Fill in the application form
• Step 5: Have a video appointment to complete your registration

How long does the process take?

We aim to process all applications within four calendar weeks of receiving your application, payment and all supporting documents. During busy periods, this may increase to six calendar weeks. 

We process all applications in order of the date we receive them. Unfortunately we’re unable to fast track applications.

Membership of the RCVS licenses you to practise veterinary surgery in the UK.

If you have a recognised qualification, you can apply to join our Register regardless of your nationality. But you may still need a visa to live and work in the UK.

If you’re looking for long-term employment in the UK you may need a work permit. Once you’ve got a job offer, your employer has to apply for this on your behalf. 

We recommend that you find out what type of visa or permit you need before coming to the UK.

Unfortunately, we cannot give advice on visa or work permit status. You can get information and support from the British embassy or consulates in South Africa, as well as UK Visas and Immigration.

When you fill in your online application form, you’ll be asked to provide the following documents:

• Identification
• Proof of your qualifications
• A letter of good standing

Identification

As proof of your identity, we’ll need:

• A certified colour photocopy of the identifying page and front cover of your passport (showing your passport country crest)
• A recent passport photo

On the reverse of the photo write:

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• Your signature

Both sides of the photo can be photocopied and submitted with your other documents.

Proof of qualification

As proof of your qualifications, you’ll need to send us an A4 certified photocopy of your veterinary degree.

Letter of good standing

You will also need to send us a letter of good standing. Its content and author will vary depending on which of the following applies to you:

• You’re registering within three months of the date of your graduation.
• You’re registering more than three months after your date of graduation and are registered with a registration/licensing authority.
• You’re not registered with a registration or licensing authority.

If you’re registering within three months of graduation

Your letter of good standing should come from the Dean, Principal or Rector of your veterinary school or college. It will only be valid for three months after your graduation date and must be valid when you have your video appointment.

Your letter should be a formal letter on university headed paper, issued after the date you graduated. It should be sent directly to us by your university.

The letter should confirm:

• the exact date of your graduation (DD/MM/YYYY), and
• that you were a student of good standing.

It should also include – if relevant – details of any:

• cautions or criminal convictions,
• absolute and conditional discharges,
• spent convictions,
• any adverse findings against you, including disciplinary proceedings.

If your letter is not being sent directly to us by your university, you’ll need to get it certified.

If you’re registering more than three months after graduation and are registered with a licensing authority

Your letter or certificate of good standing should come from your current registration or licensing authority. 

It’s only valid for three months after the date of issue and must be valid on the day of your registration appointment.

Your letter should be sent directly to us by the registration or licensing authority and state that:

• you are registered to practise as a veterinary surgeon by that authority,
• you are of good professional standing and good character, and
• you hold a veterinary degree.

It should include – if relevant – details of any:

• cautions or criminal convictions,
• absolute and conditional discharges,
• spent convictions, or
• adverse findings against you, including professional disciplinary proceedings.

If the letter is not being sent directly to us by the registration authority, you’ll need to get it certified.

If you’re not registered with a registration or licensing authority

If you are not currently registered with an authority, please submit your application. We’ll contact you with further instructions once we’ve received it.

Once you’ve gathered all the documents you need, you can complete the online registration form. Here you’ll be asked to:

• Upload all relevant documents
• Pay your registration fee

To complete the online application form, you'll need to have an account on our portal, MyRCVS. If you go onto MyRCVS, you'll be prompted to fill in form to create your account. 

Once we’ve received your application, documents and fees, we’ll contact you to arrange a video appointment to complete your registration.

The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams and you’ll be asked to present your passport.