MD for international students?

[ch]

Hello everyone, I'm an international student from HK that will graduate from an university in U.S. the coming Dec. I'm interested in pursuing a MD degree in the U.S., hope you guys can help me out with my questions. :roll:

1. I know it is very hard to get in a med school in the states, but what is an international student's chance to get in one in the Caribbean like AUC, SABA etc.?

2. Are international students eligible to do residency in the U.S.? Will it be very hard to get a residency placement? Will there be any VISA problem?

3. Will international students be allowed to work as a licensed physician in the U.S. after we complete all the exams and residency required? Is there any extra exams we need to take?

4.If we obtained a M.D. from a Caribbean med school, can we become a physician in U.K., H.K.? What are the exams or steps we need to take?

Any help on the above questions will be appreciated.THX

[SKL]

Hello everyone, I'm an international student from HK that will graduate from an university in U.S. the coming Dec. I'm interested in pursuing a MD degree in the U.S., hope you guys can help me out with my questions. :roll:

1. I know it is very hard to get in a med school in the states, but what is an international student's chance to get in one in the Caribbean like AUC, SABA etc.?

same as other US, Cdn students, depending on your GPA and MCAT, but it's not hard at all.

2. Are international students eligible to do residency in the U.S.? Will it be very hard to get a residency placement? Will there be any VISA problem?

You will need H1B visa or J1 visa, it's just like any other non-US students.

3. Will international students be allowed to work as a licensed physician in the U.S. after we complete all the exams and residency required? Is there any extra exams we need to take?

No other extra exams if you complete residency in US. The exams requirements are same for US Medical School graduates, USMLE Step I, II & III. Whether you can stay to practice in US after residency depending on the type of visa you get for your residency trainings. If you are under H1B, I THINK you would be able to convert it to a Green card either at the end of the residency or during the residency. If you have J1 visa, you are obligated to return to your home country for 2 years after you completed residency. Check the H1B/J1 visa forum & Cdn forum for more info. All non US citizens face same treatments.


4.If we obtained a M.D. from a Caribbean med school, can we become a physician in U.K., H.K.? What are the exams or steps we need to take?

don't know this one

Any help on the above questions will be appreciated.THX

[ch]

Thanks for your response SKL. Can you give me a little bit more info about the visa? Like...In what case can I get a H1B visa? Or in what case can I get a J-1 visa? Are they hard to be issued? Any differences between them? thx

[azskeptic]

call your GMC licensing board and ask the medical education folks about recognized schools,etc.

http://www.gmc-uk.org/global_sections/contact_frameset.htm

[MikeM]

Hi Ch:

I think to practice in the UK, you need to take the PLAB, which is a series of exams administered by the General Medical Council or GMC. I am not sure on the exact format and structure of the PLAB, but I have heard that there is a written section and also a clinical section where you will be tested on your diagnositc and other relevant skills on standardized patients. It seems similar to the USMLE's, but do not quote me on this. Check this site out. www.gmc-uk.org

This is the GMC's official website and can give you the most valid information regarding the process of licensure and registration in the UK as a medical doctor. Good Luck! :D

[SKL]

Thanks for your response SKL. Can you give me a little bit more info about the visa? Like...In what case can I get a H1B visa? Or in what case can I get a J-1 visa? Are they hard to be issued? Any differences between them? thx

The visas are sponsored by the residency programs. There are some programs only sponsor J-1 visa, and some sponsor H1B. H1B is better than J1 because you are not forced to return to your home country for 2 years, your option after residency is open (you can stay if you want to). However, the number of programs sponsor H1b is a lot less than J1, due to adminstrative works and cost involved in sponsoring the visas.

I am Canadian, but I presume the process will be similar. For Canadians, they need to find programs sponsonring H1b visa. Once they matched into such a program, they need to pass USMLE Step III (which usually taken during 1st year residency), before they can apply for the H1B visa and before starting residency.

J1 visa is easier to get, but for Canadians, they need to get a letter from the Canadian Gov't stating they are in need and also pass one of the Canadian medical exam. After fulfiling these two requirments, Canadian then can apply for J1 visa, sponored by the residency program.

So the key is to find a program which like you enough to sponsor you a H1B visa. You can contact the residency programs and ask if they sponsor H1B. The less competitive specialties like FP or IM would be more willing to sponsor H1B.

[SKL]

Hi Ch

http://www.valuemd.com/ftopic4088.html

http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?t=20549&highlight=

http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?t=3551&highlight=

The above just some sample of info, all about details how Canadians get H1B, or difference between J1 and H1B. You can also search all posts posted by an author whose name is "Steve", he has posted a lot useful info.[/url]