What is the MBBS Admission Process for Foreign Nationals?
Foreign nationals can pursue MBBS in India by meeting eligibility rules, applying to colleges, submitting documents, and securing a student visa.
As an international student seeking
MBBS
admission in India, you have made a very sensible decision, for Indian medical colleges give quality education at much more affordable rates in comparison to Western countries. The admission procedure for foreign nationals is completely different from the one being followed for Indian students, since, in most cases, you need not appear for NEET.
However, you have to fulfil certain eligibility requirements laid down by the National Medical Commission (NMC) and individual colleges. Foreign students can apply directly to deemed universities and private medical colleges, while some seats under the NRI quota are also available in government institutions. The acceptance procedure consists of document verification, eligibility verification, securing the admission letter, and then applying for the student visa to come to India.
Basic Requirements You Need to Meet for MBBS Admission as an International Student
Read below some of the basic requirements you need to meet for MBBS admission as an international student:
Requirement | What You Need |
Educational Qualification | You should have completed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English |
Minimum Marks | At least 50% aggregate in PCB subjects (40% if you're from reserved categories) |
Age Limit | You need to be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the admission year, there's no maximum age |
NEET Requirement | Some colleges ask for NEET scores but many deemed and private universities don't require it |
English Proficiency | A few colleges might want IELTS or TOEFL scores to make sure you can handle classes in English |
Valid Passport | You'll need a passport that's valid from your home country |
Visa Requirements | You have to get a student visa (called X visa in India) before you can come here to study |
Medical Fitness | A certificate from a doctor saying you're healthy and fit to study |
How to Apply for MBBS as an International Student
The entire process might be a bit overwhelming when viewed as a whole - it really helps to break it down into smaller steps. Here's the step-by-step for how things flow across the whole process.
Step | What You Need to Do | When to Do It |
Step 1: Research Colleges | Look up NMC-approved medical colleges, compare their fees, check out their facilities and see if they're recognized back home | January - March |
Step 2: Check If You Qualify | Make sure you have the right marks and meet the age requirements for the colleges you want | February - March |
Step 3: Fill Application Forms | Go to college websites, fill their online forms, and pay the application fees which are usually between ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 | March - May |
Step 4: Send Your Documents | Submit scanned copies of your marksheets, passport, birth certificate, medical reports, and photos | April - June |
Step 5: Get Admission Letter | The college will check your documents and send you a provisional admission letter if everything looks good | May - July |
Step 6: Pay Your Fees | Transfer the first year fees which can be anywhere from ₹3 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs depending on the college | June - July |
Step 7: Apply for Visa | Take your admission letter and other papers to the Indian embassy in your country and apply for a student visa | June - August |
Step 8: Book Your Travel | Once you get the visa, book your flights and plan to reach India before classes start in August or September | August - September |
Step 9: Register at College | Go to the college, submit original documents, do a medical checkup, and complete your registration | August - September |
Step 10: FRRO Registration | Within two weeks of landing in India, you need to register with the Foreign Regional Registration Office | Within 14 days of arrival |
Want to explore the best medical colleges?
|
Documents You'll Need to Submit During Admission
Add CollegeDekho as a Trusted Source
It's time to talk about paperwork, as that's one area in which you really can't go wrong. All needs to be duly attested, and if any document is in your local language, get it translated into English.
Document Type | Specific Requirements |
Academic Certificates | Original plus attested copies of your 10th and 12th grade marksheets and certificates |
Passport | Should be valid for at least 18 months from when you start the course |
Birth Certificate | Official birth certificate from the government authority in your country |
School Transfer Certificate | TC from the last school or college you attended |
Migration Certificate | If you changed boards or universities, you'll need this |
Medical Reports | Fitness certificate from a registered doctor and HIV negative test report |
Photographs | Around 6 to 8 recent passport-size photos with white background |
Fee Payment Proof | Bank receipt or demand draft showing you've paid the fees |
College Admission Letter | The official letter from the medical college accepting you |
NMC Eligibility Certificate | This is needed if you want to practice medicine in India after graduating |
Police Clearance | Criminal background check from your home country |
Financial Documents | Bank statements proving you can afford the education and living costs in India |
Becoming an MBBS doctor as a foreign student in India isn't rocket science when you know what you're doing and have everything planned out. The fees are reasonable, quality education is offered, and if one selects the college rightly, the degree will be recognised internationally. The key variables are to start early, keep the documents ready, and research the selected college rigorously.