The International Medical Graduate Training Initiative (IMGTI) is a programme that began in 2013. It is overseen by the HSE National Doctors Training and Planning unit and the Irish postgraduate training bodies, working together through the Forum. It gives doctors from selected countries structured, supervised clinical training in Irish hospitals, usually for two years, after which they return to their home country.
Who it is for
- Doctors who are in a postgraduate training programme in their home country and are sponsored by a national body or government.
- The programme is aimed mainly at countries with less developed health systems. Pakistan and Sudan, through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan and the Sudanese Medical Specialisation Board, have been long-standing partners; the list of countries and specialties changes.
- Self-funded applicants are generally not eligible: sponsorship is a core condition.
- Doctors who have finished their home training, or are in the final year, are normally not eligible.
How it works
| Feature | Typical position |
|---|---|
| Length | Ordinarily 24 months, set in the training agreement |
| Return home | Expected at the end; IMGTI is not a route to a permanent training post or to settlement in Ireland |
| Registration | Medical Council registration for the training period; the Council and the programme tell you which division applies |
| Specialties | Started with a few and has grown (including medicine, surgery, anaesthesia, ophthalmology, psychiatry and paediatrics). Not every specialty runs every year |
| Funding | Usually a sponsorship or scholarship arrangement with the home body and the HSE; salary is paid at an agreed grade |
How to apply
- Apply through your home sponsoring body and its HSE partnership, not directly to an Irish hospital.
- The HSE NDTP and the training body for your specialty publish the call and criteria.
- Medical Council registration and an Irish work permit or immigration permission are arranged for you after acceptance. Ask what support is included.
IMGTI compared with the UK MTI
The UK’s Medical Training Initiative (MTI) is a similar two-year, return-home scheme run by the Royal Colleges with the GMC. See Other routes to GMC registration. Both schemes aim to build skills that the doctor takes home.
Your checklist
- Check if my home body is an IMGTI partner
- Read the training agreement terms on length and return
This page is general education, reviewed 24 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change: always confirm with the official sources below. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice.