MBBS Abroad — What Every NEET Family Must Check

Every year many Indian students study MBBS abroad (Russia, Central Asia, Georgia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal and others). To practise in India afterwards, the degree must follow the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations 2021, and you must pass India's licensing exam for foreign graduates (currently FMGE; NExT is deferred by NMC 'till further directions').

Government MBBS seats in India are limited and private fees are high, so families look abroad. But a non-compliant course can leave a student unable to practise in India after 6 years and lakhs of rupees. Knowing the rules protects your child.

• ✓Lower tuition than many private Indian colleges in some countries.
• ✓A route into medicine when a government seat in India isn't possible.
• ✓International exposure.

• •You must qualify NEET-UG. NMC says no college can guarantee admission outside NEET.
• •The course must be at least 54 months, taught in English throughout, at a single institution.
• •A 12-month internship at the same foreign university, with clinical training not split across countries.
• •The degree must make you eligible to register and practise in that country, on par with its own citizens.

• •The same core subjects as Indian MBBS (NMC Schedule-I subjects must all be covered).
• •Clinical rotations in hospitals of the foreign university.
• •After return: FMGE (or NExT when it starts) and a 12-month supervised internship in India.

1. 1Qualify NEET-UG first.
2. 2Shortlist universities and check each one against NMC public notices and alerts (NMC has named specific institutions to avoid).
3. 3Get written confirmation of: 54 months at one institution, English medium, 12-month internship there, and licence eligibility in that country.
4. 4Check with the Indian embassy in that country. Never pay before verifying, and report suspicious offers to NMC (+91-11-25367033).
5. 5Apply, get the student visa, and keep every document (syllabus, attendance, internship certificate) for NMC later.

Always confirm dates, eligibility and fees on the official site — rules change each year.

• →Give NEET your best attempt first: an Indian seat (including state quota or AIIMS/JIPMER) is usually the safest route.
• →Compare the full 6-year cost, including travel, hostel and FMGE coaching, not just tuition.
• →Study seriously abroad from day one: FMGE pass rates are low (below).

• !FMGE pass rates are low: 18.61% in June 2025 and 12.78% in June 2026 (counted from NBEMS result files).
• !NMC has warned about institutions admitting beyond capacity, not teaching in English, and agent malpractice. In 2025–2026 it named colleges in Belize and Uzbekistan.
• !Safety and political risk: students have had to leave Ukraine because of the war, and violence against foreign students was reported in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in May 2024. Check MEA advisories.
• !Language barriers with patients during clinical training.

• •After FMGE and internship: the same paths as Indian MBBS graduates (practice, PG entrance NEET-PG, government posts).

• •Some graduates take the US (USMLE), UK (UKMLA/PLAB) or other licensing exams. See 'Doctors, Nurses & Engineers: Working Abroad'.