Top 5 Countries Where You Don’t Need FMGE After MBBS to Practice in India
The FMGE conducted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) is required to license most foreign medical graduates to practice in India. The purpose of the exam is to ensure that doctors who have completed their medical training in foreign countries are meeting the medical standards set forth in India. However, the reality is that only 15-20% of students actually clear FMGE every year, placing it among the biggest obstacles to becoming a doctor.
What if we say there are Top 5 countries where you don't need FMGE? That's right! If you complete your medical degree in a country and can complete the local licensing process there, you will be eligible to register in India to practice medicine.
Let's look at the details of the 5 golden countries:
1. United States of America (USA)
Awarded Degree: MD (Doctor of Medicine)
Duration: 8 years (4 years undergraduate + 4 years medical)
Admission Process: Students must complete a 4-year bachelor's degree (usually in Biology, Chemistry, or other sciences) and then the student applies to Medical school. The student must pass the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
Curriculum: The US MD program is one of the most difficult and advanced in the world. The study of MD includes basic sciences, lab work, simulations of patient care, and participating in clinical rotations at hospitals.
Licensing: All students must pass the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination). USMLE has three steps. After licensing, students can either practice medicine in the US, or they can directly apply for medical registration in India.
Reasons to Study in the USA:
- Exposure to world-class healthcare facilities and research.
- The U.S. MD degree is highly recognized internationally.
- Approved pathway to specialization and residency in the U.S.
2. United Kingdom (UK)
Awarded Degree: MBBS / MBChB
Duration: 5–6 years (dependent on university)
Admission Process: Entry is highly competitive and requires good grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Math, in addition to an entrance exam such as UCAT or BMAT.
Curriculum: UK programs have a focus on early clinical exposure. As a result students will work in NHS (National Health Service) hospitals in the first or second year. The curriculum typically incorporates theory with clinical practice, as well as communication education.
Licensing: Graduates must either be successful at the PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam or undertake foundation training in the UK, to be eligible for registration in India.
Why go to the UK?
- NHS-based training is among the best in the world.
- Focus on holistic patient care and practical exposure.
- High employability worldwide.
3. Canada
Degree Awarded: MD (Doctor of Medicine)
Duration: 8 Years (4-Year Undergraduate + 4-Year MD)
Admission Process: Students must finish an undergraduate degree and then take the MCAT exam before they are eligible for medical school. There is a low acceptance rate, making it one of the most difficult places for studying medicine.
Curriculum: Canadian medical education uses problem-based learning, research, and community health as a foundation of their learning. Students have a thorough hospital rotation and rural health experience.
Licensing: Graduates must complete the MCCQE (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination) if students are to practice in Canada. Once local licensing is completed, Indian students can register with NMC in India.
Why Canada?
- Advanced health care system with research emphasis.
- Global career opportunities.
- Opportunity to practice in Canada and India.
4. Australia
Degree Offered: MBBS / BMed / MD
Duration: 5-6 years (undergraduate) OR 4 years (graduate entry via GAMSAT)
Application Process: High school students with a good science background can apply directly for the MBBS program, and graduates can apply for the MD program via GAMSAT.
Curriculum: The Australian curriculum is blended with classroom learning, problem based learning, and clinical practice. Students receive training in very modern laboratories with opportunities for research and placements in the best hospitals during clinical rotations.
Licensing: Students must take the AMC (Australian Medical Council) exams and complete their internships locally. Once licensed in Australia, they will be directly eligible to practice in India without FMGE.
Reasons to study in Australia?
- World-class universities ranked in global top 100.
- Advanced clinical exposure with global acceptance.
- Multicultural learning environment.
5. New Zealand
Degree Awarded: MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
Duration: 6 years (including foundation year + pre-clinical + clinical parts.)
Application Process: The students usually complete a one year Health Sciences Foundation Programme before starting the MBChB course. Admission is based on merit and is competitive.
Curriculum: The program is focused on clinical skills, research and direct patient care, with students in the latter years spending a lot of time working in hospitals in New Zealand.
Licensing: Students must register with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) after completing internship requirements. Once licensed, they can practice directly in India.
Why Choose New Zealand?
- Highly practical, student-friendly medical programs.
- Extensive clinical exposure and hospital training.
- Swift, smooth transition to practice in India.
Why Only These Five Countries?
- Globally recognized curriculum and syllabus with modern pedagogy and a high degree of academic standing.
- Substantial clinical exposure ensures practice capable at the same level as Indian doctors.
- Bilateral agreements and a long tradition of recognition by NMC.
- NMC updates and maintains the list of exempted countries periodically.
Benefits of FMGE Exemption
✔ No more test pressure—you can practice medicine in India straight away!
✔ Saves time—you do not need to spend months on the FMGE preparation process.
✔ Career advantage—you can work right away in hospitals or clinics.
✔ Internationally accepted—these degrees are valuable everywhere.
Who still has to take the FMGE?
Students graduating from Russia, Ukraine, China, Georgia, Bangladesh, Philippines and other countries offering MBBS as a popular destination must take the FMGE before practicing in India. Although their degrees are valid, they will not be exempted from the screening test.
Conclusion:
Therefore, if your aim is to be a doctor in another country and return to India without hassles, then you should choose to study some sort of medical qualification in the USA/UK/Canada/Australia/New Zealand so that you can bypass the FMGE and start working.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) is conducted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) with the aim to certify that doctors who have studied in another country meet Indian medical training and academic standards. Most foreign MBBS degrees will require passing FMGE to practice in India with a few exceptions based on intergovernmental degree recognition agreements.
Yes. If a student obtains their medical degree from combinations of the five countries listed above (after obtaining local licensing [USMLE in USA, AMC in Australia]), Indian students can directly register with NMC and practice in India without the need for FMGE.
Yes. Most other countries require FMGE clearance even if the MBBS programs are common with Indian students. Only the five countries listed have unique pathways that allow Indian students to skip FMGE once they have obtained the medical license from the local authorities.
The FMGE exemption will save graduates time, remove some of the pressure of having to take an exam, and allow graduates to begin their careers at your own pace in India. It also increases international recognition and provides better career flexibility since these degrees are highly valued globally.
Bilateral agreements and NMC recognition serve as the foundation for the exemption. The NMC updates the list of exempted countries periodically, and therefore any students interested in pursuing the medical field in another country should check the relevant eligibility information prior to making any commitments or spending money on obtaining a visa.
