Doctor — Visa Route Comparison

International medical graduates (IMGs) are a cornerstone of healthcare systems in the UK, Canada, Australia and Germany, with all four countries running structured pathways for qualified doctors. The licensing and registration process is more complex than most other professions — each country's medical regulatory body conducts its own assessment of clinical competence, and the steps from qualification recognition to full licensure can take anywhere from six months to over two years. That said, medicine is one of the highest-paid and most secure professions in the world, and all four countries offer strong pathways to permanent residency once registration is achieved.

In the UK, international doctors must register with the General Medical Council (GMC). The process typically involves passing the PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 examinations unless you hold an acceptable medical qualification from a recognised country or have completed specialist training that can be directly assessed. NHS trusts actively recruit internationally — doctors from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria and the Philippines represent the largest IMG cohorts. Under the Health and Care Worker Visa, doctors receive discounted fees and IHS exemptions, and the pathway to ILR is five years. Consultant-level positions command salaries well above the £38,700 general threshold.

Australia offers two main routes for overseas doctors: the standard migration pathway through SkillSelect and the employer-sponsored TSS Subclass 482 visa. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) administers a multi-part examination pathway — AMC CAT MCQ followed by AMC Clinical Examination. Doctors who have completed specialist training comparable to FRACP, FRACS or FRACGP can apply for specialist assessment through the relevant College and be fast-tracked. Area of Need (AoN) and District of Workforce Shortage (DWS) placements offer significant immigration benefits for GPs willing to work in regional or remote areas.

Canada distinguishes between federal licensing bodies and provincial colleges — there is no national medical licence. You must apply to the provincial college where you plan to practise (CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC). The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations (MCCQE Part I and Part II) form the pathway for IMGs, followed by matching into a residency programme via CaRMS for those seeking a full licence. Some provinces operate international medical graduate programmes with bridging residency positions specifically designed to bring qualified overseas doctors into the workforce faster. Germany's Approbation pathway for non-EU doctors requires credential recognition by the relevant Landesärztekammer, German language proficiency (C1) and may include a Kenntnisprüfung (knowledge test).