Certificate of Good Health
A private medical letter from a GMC-registered doctor confirming you are in good general health, often requested for visa applications, overseas employment, study abroad and marriage abroad. Whether it is accepted is decided by the authority asking for it.
✔ Confirms your general health at the time of clinical review
✔ GMC-registered doctors, GMC number on every certificate
✔ Same day or by 9AM next morning
✔ Full refund if we can't issue. For £59
Let's get started 
Digital certificate only, no hard copies, so please check your visa accepts digital documents.
All consultations are subject to clinical assessment and issued only where clinically appropriate.
Accepted by most UK employers, universities and insurers, subject to their own policies. All consultations are subject to clinical assessment and certificates are issued only where clinically appropriate.
Receive a full refund if we can’t provide a certificate
How It Works
Complete short online consult
No appointment required.
Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually.
✔ Full refund if a certificate cannot be issued.
Receive your certificate
Most certificates are issued same day, almost all by 9AM the next morning. Delivered as a signed PDF. A doctor will email you if more evidence is needed.
Certificate security
Every MedicalCert certificate can be checked as genuine
Each certificate is issued with anti-tampering protection and its own verification reference. If your employer, university, airline or insurer wants to confirm the document came from a GMC-registered doctor, they can check it against MedicalCert records. Altered or copied documents do not pass that check.
Very happy, I ordered my Medical Certificate in the early morning hours and before noon time of same day I had it on my inbox. Speedy service and they present the health condition precisely, get to the point.
They meet the incredibly fast turnaround stated (certificate/letter sent before 9am the following morning if the doctor feels that a letter/certificate is appropriate) which is incredibly quick and I am really grateful for the help provided!
Very easy and quick to get my certificate. And the certificate was approved from the specific company to travel with my dog. I will use them again. Well done.
Second time using this company and they are fabulous! Always great, fast, friendly service. Highly recommend!
This was my second time using Medical Cert, and once again the service was exceptionally quick and professional. Everything was handled efficiently, with clear communication throughout.
I found the service very straight forward and quick. Exactly what I needed to get my Padi medical form signed before our holiday. Thank you very much.
Process was easy and responses were quick. I would recommend their service.
Fast efficient service for medical certificates. I used the not fit to fly service and was provided with a certificate the next day, the price is very reasonable and enabled a flight credit refund with my airline. Would recommend and would use again if needed.
A fast and efficient service. It wasn't complicated and the Fit-to-fly note was accepted by the Airport without any further questions. Thank you.
Ideal for me, I am looking to get a certificate for some medical issues I have. So this is the perfect solution for me, uploading docs was easy and the forms very straightforward to fill in. Will definitely use them again. Many thanks.
Excellent service. Easy to use and certificate issued in less than 24 hours. £39 as opposed to the £150 my GP charges. Highly recommended.
Quick and reasonably pain-free. Received their standard certificate as well as my requested bespoke certificate, by email, by 9am the following morning. Both completed properly, signed and stamped as required. More expensive than my GP, but infinitely quicker and easier.
One of the best experiences. It's easy to get a GP note.
Excellent. My GP refuses to issue DWP MED 3 Fit Notes to students. MedicalCert were excellent and extremely helpful in providing a necessary certificate. Highly recommended.
You were amazing, you kept me updated and replied promptly to any queries I had. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
They helped me, they were very professional and nice.
Very pleased. Quick service with very professional letter provided.
Great service, pretty straight forward and easy to use the website.
I was recommended Medical Cert by a friend and was so impressed with the service received. I would recommend using a laptop rather than a phone. Overall a fantastic and fast service.
A certificate of good health is a doctor-signed document confirming that, based on a medical review, you are in good general health and have no known conditions that would prevent you from fulfilling a specific purpose, sometimes requested for visa applications, international employment, marriage abroad, international study, or certain regulatory registrations. Some countries require examinations by approved panel physicians or additional testing, so always check the specific requirements of the destination country. This guide explains when one is required and how to obtain one online, subject to clinical review by a GMC-registered doctor.
A certificate of good health is not a standardised NHS document. It is a private medical certificate issued following a review of your health history and current status. Requirements vary significantly by country and purpose. Always check the specific requirements of the requesting organisation, embassy, or authority before applying.
GMC-registered doctors | Most issued same day | Full refund if we cannot issue
Common Reasons a Certificate of Good Health Is Required
Visa Applications & Immigration
- Long-term and retirement visa applications for countries that ask for a health declaration in the application pack
- Residency and retirement permit renewals that ask for a doctor's health confirmation
- Immigration medical examinations (note: some countries require in-person examinations by an approved physician)
- Residence permit applications
International Employment
- Pre-employment medical clearance for overseas roles
- Work permit and labour card requirements in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa
- Oil and gas, maritime, or other sector-specific health declarations
- Teaching abroad, many countries require medical clearance from a doctor
Study, Marriage & Other
- International student visa health requirements
- Marriage abroad, some countries require proof of good health for registration
- Adoption process health requirements
- Regulatory registrations (e.g. overseas professional body applications)
Certain countries, particularly for immigration, long-term work visas, or specified government programmes, require a certificate of good health issued by an approved doctor following a face-to-face medical examination, blood tests, or chest X-ray. An online certificate is not a substitute for these requirements. Always check the specific requirements of the relevant embassy or authority before applying.
Certificate Acceptance by Purpose
Whether an online certificate from a GMC-registered doctor is sufficient depends on the specific requirement. Use this as a starting guide, then verify with the requesting authority.
| Purpose | Online certificate suitable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International employment, pre-employment clearance | Depends on the employer | Requirements are set by the individual employer. Some accept a GMC-signed health declaration, others send candidates to their own occupational health provider. Confirm with the employer before applying. |
| Long-stay and retirement visas | Depends on the country | Requirements are set by each government and differ widely. Thailand's Non-Immigrant O-A route asks for a certificate on its own form, issued within the last three months, and the Royal Thai Embassy in London asks for the original or a copy certified by a UK notary or solicitor. The UAE requires medical fitness screening at an approved centre inside the UAE, which no UK letter replaces. Check what the relevant embassy publishes. |
| Marriage abroad, health declaration requirement | Depends on the country | Requirements differ by country and by the authority registering the marriage. Some accept a private doctor's letter, others specify a particular form or require apostille legalisation. Confirm with the registering authority. |
| International student visa health requirement | Depends on the programme | Some student visa programmes accept a general health declaration from a GMC-registered doctor. Others specify an approved panel physician. Check with the institution or embassy directly. |
| Teaching abroad, medical clearance | Depends on the employer | Some schools and recruitment agencies accept a GMC-registered doctor's health declaration. Others follow the host country's work permit rules, which can require an in-person examination. Ask the school or agency what they need. |
| Immigration to UK, USA, Canada, Australia | No, in-person required | Formal immigration to the USA, Canada and Australia requires an in-person examination by a doctor approved by that country's immigration authority. The UK does not run a general immigration medical, but applicants who have lived in certain listed countries must have a tuberculosis test at a Home Office approved clinic before applying. An online certificate meets neither requirement. |
| Adoption process health requirements | Depends on the authority | Some adoption agencies and overseas authorities accept a private GP letter. Others require occupational health assessments or full medicals. Confirm with your adoption agency. |
This table is a guide only. Requirements change frequently. Always confirm the specific requirements with the relevant embassy, authority, or organisation before applying.
What a Certificate of Good Health Includes
A certificate of good health issued by MedicalCert, subject to clinical review, will typically confirm:
- Your full name, date of birth, and nationality
- A statement confirming you are in good general health at the time of review
- That there are no known significant medical conditions that would prevent you from fulfilling the stated purpose (e.g. overseas employment, study, or marriage)
- Any relevant conditions disclosed, where requested by the authority (at your discretion)
- The reviewing doctor's GMC registration number, signature, and contact details
- Date of issue and a unique verification reference number
If the requesting authority has its own form, upload it during the consultation so the reviewing doctor can complete the sections that call for clinical input. The doctor records their own clinical opinion and will not certify a statement they cannot support from the information available.
How to Get a Certificate of Good Health Online
Check the exact requirements
Confirm with the embassy, employer, or authority what form the certificate must take, whether a specific form needs to be completed, and whether an in-person examination is required. Do not assume an online certificate will be accepted without checking first.
Complete the online health questionnaire
Provide your medical history, current health status, and the purpose for which the certificate is required. Upload any required forms or supporting documents.
GMC-registered doctor review
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. Where clinically appropriate, a signed certificate of good health is issued. If the certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds, you receive a full refund.
Receive your certificate by email
Your certificate is delivered as a signed PDF, most issued same day, all by 9AM the following morning. Submit it to the relevant authority alongside your application.
Get a Certificate of Good Health Online
GMC-registered doctors. No appointment needed. Commonly requested for visa applications, overseas employment, study, and other formal purposes. Acceptance is decided by the authority you submit it to.
Apply for Your CertificateFrequently Asked Questions
Is a certificate of good health the same as a visa medical?
No, they are different documents serving different purposes. A formal visa medical is a government-mandated assessment conducted in person by an approved doctor and typically includes physical examination, blood tests, chest X-ray, and vaccination checks. It is required for immigration to countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia. The UK does not run a general immigration medical, but applicants who have lived in certain listed countries must have a tuberculosis test at a Home Office approved clinic. A MedicalCert certificate of good health is a private health declaration issued by a GMC-registered doctor following an online review. It is appropriate for purposes where a general health confirmation from a qualified doctor is sufficient, such as international employment, long-stay visas, marriage abroad, or study programmes, but it is not a substitute for a formal visa medical for immigration purposes.
Will the certificate be apostilled or legalised?
MedicalCert does not provide apostille or legalisation services. Certificates are issued as signed digital PDFs. If the authority asking for your certificate requires an apostille, you arrange it yourself with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office after you receive the certificate, and you should check with them first that a document issued digitally is eligible for the route you need. Full details are at gov.uk/get-document-legalised. Contact us at help@medicalcert.co.uk if you require guidance on this process.
Can the certificate be issued in another language?
MedicalCert certificates are issued in English only. If you require a version in another language, you will need to arrange a certified translation separately through an accredited translation service. Some authorities accept an English-language certificate alongside a certified translation, so check what yours requires. If the authority requires the original certificate to be in a specific language, check their requirements before applying, as this cannot be accommodated within the standard process.
How long is a certificate of good health valid?
Validity periods are set by the requesting authority and vary. Many embassies and employers ask for a certificate issued within the last three to six months, and some are stricter. Thailand's Non-Immigrant O-A route, for example, requires a certificate no more than three months old. Always check the specific validity requirement with the requesting organisation before applying, and aim to apply as close to your submission date as practical to avoid the certificate expiring before it is used.
Can I get a certificate of good health if I have an existing medical condition?
Often, but not always. Having a pre-existing condition does not automatically disqualify you from receiving a certificate. The reviewing GP will assess whether the condition is relevant to the stated purpose and whether it would prevent you from fulfilling it. For example, a managed chronic condition that does not affect your ability to work may not prevent the certificate being issued for an overseas employment role. Disclose all relevant conditions honestly in the consultation, as the GP's assessment is based on the information you provide. If the certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds, you receive a full refund.
How can the receiving authority verify my certificate?
Every certificate includes a unique reference number and a QR code that links to the verification record. The receiving authority, whether an embassy, employer, or institution, can scan the QR code for instant confirmation, or contact MedicalCert at verify@medicalcert.co.uk with the reference number for written verification. They can also verify the issuing doctor's GMC registration and licence to practise independently at gmc-uk.org.
Does the certificate need to be legalised for use abroad?
Some overseas authorities and embassies require the certificate to carry an apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office. The FCDO does not register, accredit or approve doctors, and MedicalCert does not arrange legalisation. The Legalisation Office lists a medical certificate signed by a registered doctor among the documents it can legalise, and it checks the signature against the records it holds. MedicalCert certificates are issued as digital PDFs, and the FCDO e-Apostille route requires a PDF that has been electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor, so confirm what the Legalisation Office needs before you rely on it. Not every purpose requires an apostille. Full details are at gov.uk/get-document-legalised.
What if the authority does not accept the certificate?
If the authority rejects the certificate because they require a different format or an in-person examination, MedicalCert's standard refund policy applies only if the GP determined the certificate could not be issued on clinical grounds, not because of an administrative rejection by a third party. This is why it is essential to verify the exact requirements of the authority before applying. If there is any doubt about whether an online certificate will be accepted, contact the authority directly before purchasing. We can also provide a revised certificate or updated wording where the rejection was due to format or content issues, contact help@medicalcert.co.uk to discuss.
Standards and Guidance Referenced
The UK regulatory standards and official guidance referenced on this page:
📚 Referenced sources
- 🩺 General Medical Council (GMC), registers and regulates all doctors practising in the UK. Every MedicalCert certificate includes the issuing doctor's GMC registration number, verifiable at gmc-uk.org.
- 📋 Good Medical Practice (GMC, 2024), the GMC's core guidance on professional standards for UK doctors, including requirements for honesty, clinical integrity, and accurate record-keeping that govern all certificates issued by MedicalCert GPs.
- 📋 FCDO Legalisation Office, GOV.UK, the official UK service for apostilling documents for international use, including medical certificates. gov.uk/get-document-legalised
- 📋 Hague Convention on Apostille (1961), the international treaty governing document legalisation between member states. Apostille stamps are required by some countries when submitting a UK medical certificate for official purposes.
