Answers to top questions on MBBS abroad, NEET, NMC rules, FMGE, and course eligibility for Indian students.
Yes. NEET is mandatory for all Indian citizens and OCI holders planning to pursue MBBS abroad since 2018. It acts as the Eligibility Certificate for MBBS abroad and is valid for 3 years from the date of the result. Without NEET, students cannot appear for the FMGE or NExT exam after graduation.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) does not maintain any list of approved or recognized foreign universities. Students must ensure their chosen university fulfills the FMGL 2021 criteria, which include course duration, English medium, clinical training, and eligibility for local medical licensing. Indian Embassies in countries like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan publish advisories to guide students.
As per NMC’s Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021:
The total minimum course duration must be 66 months, and the training must be full-time and physical (not online or hybrid).
FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) is a licensing exam conducted in India for students who have completed MBBS abroad. All Indian/OCI graduates from foreign universities must clear FMGE (or the upcoming NExT) to register as doctors in India—except those who complete both UG and PG from countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
Students should verify the following to ensure NMC compliance:
Also, refer to Indian Embassy advisories for country-specific guidance.
The medium of instruction must be entirely in English to meet NMC eligibility. Bilingual or partially translated courses are not accepted under NMC FMGL 2021. Always confirm this with the university and through the Indian Embassy advisory. Central Asia Education only recommends full English-medium programs.
Yes, provided the internship: • Is of 12 months duration
• Is done in the same university and country where the MBBS course was completed
• Is part of the structured curriculum
However, even after completing internship abroad, NMC requires students to undergo an additional 12-month supervised internship in India after passing FMGE/NExT.
No. The entire MBBS course including internship must be completed in the same foreign medical institution and in the same country. Transfers or split education between countries or universities is not accepted by NMC.
No. As per NMC guidelines, the entire MBBS course including clinical training and internship must be conducted in offline, in-person mode. Degrees with online classes, hybrid teaching, or virtual clerkships are not valid for registration in India.
WDOMS stands for the World Directory of Medical Schools. It is a global listing of recognized medical institutions.
The total cost of studying MBBS abroad typically ranges between ₹20 to ₹35 lakhs, depending on the country and university.
This includes tuition fees, hostel, and basic services for the entire 5.5 to 6-year duration.
Approximate annual tuition fees only are:
Yes, most universities make hostel stay mandatory in the first year for safety, discipline, and smoother adaptation. From the second year, students may opt to shift to private apartments, though it is generally recommended only after proper acclimatization and local language familiarity.
In most countries offering MBBS to Indian students (such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan), part-time work is either restricted or not permitted for international students.
Students are advised to focus on their studies full-time and not rely on part-time jobs to support their education or living costs.
The Indian Embassy provides valuable support to students, such as:
They do not directly validate or approve universities, but they may publish cautionary lists or guidance notices.
Yes, foreign medical graduates can practice medicine in other countries after completing MBBS abroad, but eligibility depends on the destination country's medical council regulations and the accreditation of the university.
Here's how it works for different countries:
USA: The university must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and accredited by ECFMG. This is mandatory to appear for the USMLE and apply for medical residency.
UK: You must graduate from a university listed in WDOMS and recognized by FAIMER to be eligible for the PLAB exam.
UAE: Many medical graduates from abroad are allowed to work in the UAE, but they must:
Hold a degree recognized by the UAE Ministry of Health
Clear the UAE MOH, DHA, or HAAD licensing exam
Complete internship and meet English proficiency standards (e.g., IELTS)
Requirements may differ slightly between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Emirates.
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand: These countries require:
Additional postgraduate training
Country-specific entrance or licensing exams (e.g., AMC for Australia, MCCQE for Canada)
Recognition of the MBBS degree and clinical experience
Other countries (e.g., Germany, Gulf nations, Maldives, etc.): Each has unique eligibility norms. Most require proof of clinical experience, local language skills (in some cases), and validation of the degree via WDOMS and local accreditation.🟡 Always verify whether your MBBS university is listed in WDOMS, recognized by ECFMG/FAIMER, and whether the degree allows eligibility for local medical licensing in the destination country.
Yes. After completing MBBS abroad and passing the FMGE (or NExT in the future), students must complete a 12-month internship in India. Once done, they are eligible to appear for NEET-PG or INICET for postgraduate studies in India.
The National Exit Test (NExT) is a proposed common exam to replace both FMGE for foreign graduates and final-year MBBS exams for Indian students.
It will serve as:
No. As per NMC FMGL 2021, only the medical course and its clinical internship are counted toward the required 66 months. Pre-medical, language, or foundation courses are not considered part of the MBBS program duration and must be completed before the student formally joins the main medical course.
Yes, it is highly recommended. Indian students should register themselves on the MADAD portal or with the Indian Embassy in the host country after arrival. This ensures:
The NMC FMGL (Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate) Regulations, 2021 are the official rules set by the National Medical Commission for Indian students who pursue MBBS abroad.
To be eligible to practice in India after studying MBBS abroad, students must ensure their university and course meet the following FMGL 2021 requirements:
If your MBBS course does not meet these criteria, your degree will not be valid for FMGE or NExT, and you won’t be allowed to register as a doctor in India.
No. NMC mandates that the total course duration must be at least 66 months (5.5 years), including 12 months of internship.
Any program offering a shorter duration will be considered invalid and the degree will not be accepted for licensing in India.
There is no official approval list anymore. Instead, check if the university:
If your MBBS course abroad fails to meet NMC’s FMGL 2021 criteria, your degree will be considered invalid in India.
You won’t be allowed to sit for FMGE/NExT, nor register with any State Medical Council.
Hence, it's critical to verify all criteria before admission and avoid universities with:
Essential documents include:
Additional documents like medical fitness certificate, police clearance, and visa application forms may be required during the visa process.
No. As per NMC regulations, candidates who complete both UG and PG from these countries and are licensed to practice there are exempt from FMGE/NExT.
However, if only UG is completed abroad and PG is not done in these exempt countries, then FMGE is still required for Indian registration.
Yes, these countries are generally safe, student-friendly, and have a good diplomatic relationship with India.
Indian embassies in these countries actively support Indian students.
However, students are advised to:
After receiving your university admission letter, the next steps include:
Central Asia Education assists with complete visa support, including embassy coordination. Visa processing time varies by country, usually between 7 to 21 working days.
The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is known for its low pass rate, which highlights the importance of choosing a quality medical university abroad.
On average, the FMGE pass percentage ranges between 10% to 30% each session.
In the most recent December 2024 session, the overall pass percentage was 28.86%, indicating a slight improvement compared to previous years.
Several factors influence success in FMGE:
Quality of education and clinical exposure abroad
Compliance with NMC FMGL 2021 regulations
Medium of instruction (English-only programs perform better)
Early and consistent exam preparation
Yes, many Indian students clear FMGE in their first attempt, especially if they study at a university that:
Follows NMC FMGL 2021 guidelines
Has full-time English medium instruction
Provides strong clinical training
Prepares students with FMGE-oriented curriculum
Success depends on:
Consistent preparation during your MBBS course
Enrolling in mock tests or FMGE coaching in final year
Choosing a university with a good FMGE track record
In the Dec 2024 FMGE session, 28.86% of students cleared the exam — many of them in their first attempt.
The National Exit Test (NExT) is expected to be implemented soon by the National Medical Commission (NMC), but as of now, no official date has been declared.
Key points:
NExT will replace FMGE and final-year MBBS exams in India
It will serve as a common exam for licensing and PG admission
Until officially notified, FMGE remains mandatory for foreign medical graduates
There is no official upper age limit for MBBS abroad. However:
Minimum age to appear for NEET is 17 years
Some universities may set their own upper age restrictions
Note: While NTA has removed the 25-year upper age limit for NEET, students should still check specific university and country policies.
There is no restriction on the number of FMGE attempts. Students can appear multiple times until they pass.
Once NExT replaces FMGE:
It may have Step 1 and Step 2 (like USMLE)
Attempt limits will be notified by NMC when NExT becomes mandatory
To verify if a medical university is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS):
Visit www.wdoms.org
Use the search bar to enter the university name or country
Check if the university is listed with a valid ECFMG sponsor note (for USMLE)
Ensure the listing confirms it grants a medical degree eligible for licensing
Being listed in WDOMS is essential for FMGE/NExT, USMLE, and PLAB eligibility.
ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) is the licensing authority for international medical graduates (IMGs) in the USA.
To be eligible for USMLE, your university must be:
FAIMER (Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research) is a body that supports medical education accreditation globally.
If you plan to appear for PLAB (UK), your university should be:
If your university loses its WDOMS listing or is blacklisted by Indian authorities during or after your study:
No. Indian state medical councils only register foreign graduates after:
Direct registration without these steps is not allowed, even if the degree is valid abroad.
Yes, many countries offer postgraduate medical education to foreign graduates.
However:
Yes. Students are allowed to travel during semester breaks, provided:
Yes. MBBS in Uzbekistan is valid, provided the university:
The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India, in a public address, confirmed that medical universities in Uzbekistan comply with NMC norms.
Yes. Medical universities in Kazakhstan have revised their curriculum in line with NMC guidelines.
As per the Embassy of India in Kazakhstan, students should choose universities:
The Embassy’s advisory page includes a list of compliant universities. Kazakhstan also has CIME accreditation for curriculum modernization, adding to its credibility.
Yes. Parents can visit or accompany students to most MBBS destinations.
Central Asia Education also provides complete travel assistance for parents, including flight bookings, accommodation guidance, and visa support if required.
