Medicine abroad

Where it leads: Trust-grade doctor in the NHS, then a training post. Typical employers: NHS trusts across the UK.

Worth knowing: Allow 9-18 months and a maximum of four attempts per exam. Australia, Canada and the USA are considerably harder for SA doctors.

1. Study · 6 yrs MBChB6 years
2. Train · 3 yrs Internship + community service3 years
3. Register English testIELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each band (one sitting), or OET grade B in each sub-test
4. Register PLAB 1Written exam, can be sat overseas
5. Register PLAB 2Practical exam in Manchester
6. Register GMC registration
7. Work NHSHealth and Care Worker visa

Full Medicine pathway for United Kingdom →

Where it leads: Senior house officer or registrar in the Irish public hospital system. Typical employers: HSE public hospitals. Ireland recruits heavily from abroad for non-consultant hospital doctor posts.

Worth knowing: The Medical Council recognises SA internships that began on or after 1 July 2006 as equivalent to the Irish internship, which can exempt you from the PRES exam. Specialist training posts are a separate, competitive step.

1. Study · 6 yrs MBChB6 years
2. Train · 2 yrs Internship2 years in SA public hospitals
3. Train · 1 yr Community service1 year
4. Register Medical Council registrationSA internship is accepted, so the PRES licensing exam is waived
5. Work IrelandHospital post with the HSE

Full Medicine pathway for Ireland →

Where it leads: Family physician, usually in an under-served community to start with. Typical employers: provincial health authorities and rural or small-town family practices.

Worth knowing: Assessment places are few, mostly in family medicine, and tie you to an under-served area for years. Allow 2-5 years from starting the exams.

1. Study · 6 yrs MBChB6 years
2. Train · 2 yrs Internship2 years in SA public hospitals
3. Train · 1 yr Community service1 year
4. Register HPCSA registrationIndependent practice in South Africa
5. Register MCCQE Part IThe Canadian licensing exam, after your MBChB is source-verified on physiciansapply.ca
6. Register NAC ExaminationNeeded for a residency application and for some Practice Ready Assessment programmes
7. Move Practice Ready AssessmentAbout 12 weeks of workplace assessment in a province, for doctors with independent practice experience; or compete for a residency post
8. Register Provincial licenceWith a return-of-service agreement
9. Work Canada

Full Medicine pathway for Canada →

Where it leads: Hospital medical officer or GP, often in an area of workforce shortage. Typical employers: state public hospitals and general practices in regional areas.

Worth knowing: Registration is usually limited to an approved position and can be tied to a district of workforce shortage for several years. Allow 1-3 years from the first exam.

1. Study · 6 yrs MBChB6 years
2. Train · 2 yrs Internship2 years in SA public hospitals
3. Train · 1 yr Community service1 year
4. Register HPCSA registrationIndependent practice in South Africa
5. Register AMC MCQ examinationThe HPCSA is not an approved competent authority, so South African doctors take the standard pathway
6. Register AMC clinical examOr an approved workplace-based assessment at an accredited health service
7. Move Job offer + visaProvisional or limited registration with Ahpra, tied to an approved position
8. Work Australia12 months of supervised practice, then general registration

Full Medicine pathway for Australia →

Where it leads: House officer or registrar in a public hospital. Typical employer: Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) public hospitals.

Worth knowing: South Africa is not on New Zealand's comparable health system list. Instead of NZREX, a pass in PLAB 1 and 2 (which also opens the UK) or the AMC MCQ and Clinical exams within the last five years qualifies. Doctors already registered in the UK or Ireland have an easier route in.

1. Study · 6 yrs MBChB6 years
2. Train · 2 yrs Internship2 years in SA public hospitals
3. Train · 1 yr Community service1 year
4. Register HPCSA registrationIndependent practice in South Africa
5. Register A screening examOne of PLAB 1, MCCQE Part I, the AMC MCQ or USMLE Steps 1 and 2, passed in the last five years
6. Register NZREX Clinical, or PLAB 1 and 2, or AMC MCQ and ClinicalAny one of these, passed in the last five years; NZREX is a 12-station clinical exam offered only twice a year in New Zealand
7. Move First-year hospital job + visaAt an accredited training provider, for provisional registration
8. Work New Zealand

Full Medicine pathway for New Zealand →

Where it leads: General practitioner in a government or private hospital or clinic. Typical employers: government providers such as Dubai Health, and private hospital and clinic groups.

Worth knowing: The work visa is tied to your employer and does not lead to permanent residence or citizenship. Licensed doctors can apply for the 10-year Golden Visa, which is not employer-sponsored. SA specialist fellowships (Colleges of Medicine of SA) are Tier 1 under the Unified PQR.

1. Study · 6 yrs MBChB6 years
2. Train · 2 yrs Internship2 years in SA public hospitals
3. Train · 1 yr Community service1 year
4. Register HPCSA registrationIndependent practice in South Africa
5. Train Clinical experienceThe Unified PQR asks for 2 years of clinical experience after internship for a GP licence
6. Register Primary source verificationDegree, experience and a good-standing certificate (under 6 months old) checked at source
7. Register DHA or DoH licensing assessmentDHA: computer-based or oral, 3 attempts. DoH Abu Dhabi: exam booked through Pearson VUE
8. Move Job offer, licence + visaRegistration becomes a licence only when a licensed facility employs you; it applies for your visa
9. Work Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Full Medicine pathway for United Arab Emirates →