How can Indian doctors work in the USA?

To work as a doctor in the U.S., Indian medical graduates (IMGs) must typically pass the USMLE exams, get ECFMG certified, complete a U.S. residency program, and obtain state licensure, often using J-1 or H-1B visas, though some states offer pathways for experienced IMGs to get licensed without repeating residency due to physician shortages. The standard route involves the USMLE (Steps 1, 2, 3), ECFMG certification, residency application via ERAS/NRMP, and visa sponsorship.

How can an Indian doctor work in the USA?

If you are a MBBS student, Indian medical graduate, foreign medical graduate (FMG) or completed MD, who wish to settle in the United States (US) in future, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is the only option for you to get certified and start a medical practice in the US.

Can Indian doctors practice in the USA without USMLE?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step exam that all medical doctors must pass to obtain a medical license in the United States. It assesses a physician's ability to apply medical knowledge, clinical skills, and understanding of patient care in accordance with U.S. medical standards.

Are Indian doctors on a H1B visa?

Many of these doctors are on H-1B visas and some even spend their entire careers on them as they wait for a green card, making them vulnerable to unexpected job losses and long-term instability.

Is Indian MBBS degree valid in the US?

While an Indian MBBS degree is not directly valid in the USA, Indian medical graduates can practice medicine in the USA by obtaining ECFMG certification, passing the USMLE exams, completing a residency program, and obtaining state medical licensure.

How To Become a Doctor in USA | The 3 Pathways

Do doctors get a green card faster in the USA?

The route is often easier for doctors in high-demand specialties, as there is a shortage of healthcare professionals in the U.S. This shortage allows doctors to apply for a Green Card under specific provisions like the National Interest Waiver (NIW) or the Schedule A category, both of which can expedite the process.

How much do Indian doctors earn in the USA?

The average doctor salary in the USA is roughly $370,000–$380,000 (₹3.1–3.2 Cr) per year as of 2025. This range covers all specialties and experience levels. However, salaries vary widely depending on specialty, location, and type of practice.

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

Practically speaking, this fee only applies to employers who use an H-1B visa petition to bring a foreign national to the United States. Current employers of H-1 workers who wish to continue to employ this worker need not worry about this fee, and can instead file an extension of status petition.

Which country is best for Indian doctors to settle?

This guide highlights the 15 best countries for Indian doctors, assessing job opportunities, salaries, and quality of life.

• Top destinations include the United States, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
• Each country's licensing requirements, visa processes, and healthcare systems are detailed.

What is the 3 to 1 rule for H-1B?

The Three-For-One Rule

When making a determination whether a foreign national possesses the required academic credentials necessary for an H-1B occupation, the USCIS will consider three years of specialized training and/or work experience to be the equivalent of one year of college education.

How much does USMLE cost in India?

With the USMLE Step 1 exam fee set at ₹61,160 (USD 695), Step 2 CK at the same rate, and Step 3 at ₹84,140 (USD 955), plus international surcharges and optional costs, the total investment can reach ₹3.8–₹4.8 lakh (USD 4,400–5,500).

Which doctor specialty is in highest demand in the USA?

Family medicine is currently the most in-demand physician specialty, according to AMN Healthcare's (formerly Merritt Hawkins) recent report on physician recruiting.

How to settle in USA after MBBS in India?

How to become a doctor in the USA after MBBS from India in 2025?

1. Clear USMLE Steps 1 and 2.
2. Apply for medical residency via NRMP.
3. Obtain ECFMG certification.
4. Secure an F-1/J-1 visa.
5. Complete US residency and licensing steps.

Why do Indian doctors move to the USA?

One of the reasons why doctors from India contemplate emigrating to the US is the perception that a higher quality of life is easily attainable for themselves and, perhaps more importantly, for their children.

Can I do fellowship in the USA without an USMLE?

Some fellowships are designed for IMGs and focus on research, clinical observation, or specific medical disciplines. These fellowships may be offered by hospitals, universities, or research institutions and often do not require USMLE completion, though they may require some level of prior training or certification.

What is MBBS called in the USA?

In the U.S., the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), both professional degrees for physicians, though the pathway to an MD involves a prior bachelor's degree and then medical school, unlike the integrated MBBS in many other countries. While MBBS graduates can often take licensing exams like the USMLE, the typical route for U.S. doctors is an MD or DO after undergraduate studies. 

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

Which doctor is most respected in India?

Best Doctors in India

• Dr Puneet Girdhar. ...
• Dr (Prof) Sanjay Tyagi. ...
• Dr Surender Kumar Dabas. ...
• DR. (COL) VP Singh. ...
• Dr Sudhir Tyagi. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi. ...
• Dr Raju Vaishya. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi. ...
• Dr Sapna Nangia. Apollo Speciality , Chennai. ...
• Dr Gopala Krishnan. Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai.

Was Sundar Pichai on the H-1B visa?

Google CEO Sundar Pichai noted, drawing from his own experience as a former H-1B visa holder, that immigrants have been instrumental in driving many of the company's major innovations.

Is H-1B still lottery?

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a new regulation that fundamentally reshapes how H-1B cap cases will be selected, replacing the long-standing random lottery with a wage-level-based selection system beginning with the upcoming H-1B registration cycle.

How much did Trump charge for H-1B visa?

Washington sues over Trump administration's unlawful new $100K fee for H-1B visa. Attorney General Nick Brown on Friday joined a coalition of 20 states in suing the Trump administration over its unlawful policy imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions.

Can a doctor earn 1 crore per month in the USA?

On conversion, the average income of U.S. doctors ranges somewhere between ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore in Indian Rupees—demonstrating the monetary potential of a medical career overseas.

Is $75000 a good salary in the USA?

Yes, $75,000 is generally considered a decent to good salary in most of the U.S., placing you above the median household income and comfortably middle-class in many areas, allowing for savings and expenses, but it becomes tight or insufficient in very high cost-of-living cities like New York or San Francisco. Your actual experience with this salary depends heavily on your location (high vs. low cost-of-living area), family size, and financial habits. 

How do Indian MBBS doctors work in the USA?

The physician will have to complete a residency program regardless of the training he or she has received overseas. IMGs who seek entry into U.S. programs of Graduate Medical Education must obtain a visa that permits clinical training to provide medical services.