Registration comes before the protected title
A vacancy and a visa do not automatically authorize professional practice. Confirm the competent authority and route first.
International medical graduates
Compare doctor registration routes before choosing a country
The UK and Australia do not use the same examination, verification or supervised-practice sequence. Compare the reviewed GMC and Medical Board pathways before paying for an assessment or planning relocation.
Your training record matters
Degree title alone is rarely enough. Regulators can examine clinical hours, internship, registration history and recent practice.
Costs must follow the route
Pay for examinations, verification or translation only after the correct authority and pathway are confirmed.
Source-backed comparison
Reviewed international routes
Each guide below names its authority, evidence date and practical first action. Requirements remain subject to individual assessment.
General Medical Council
A preparation map for Pakistani-qualified doctors pursuing GMC registration through the PLAB route, where that route applies.
- Typical planning range
- Plan around English testing, PLAB availability and verification
- First action
- Check your primary medical qualification
- Assessment
- PLAB 1
Medical Board of Australia and Australian Medical Council
Australia does not use one IMG route. Pathway4U first separates Standard, Competent Authority, Specialist, Expedited Specialist and Short-term Training pathways, then shows the evidence still needed before registration and employment.
- Typical planning range
- 4–24 months depending on assessment, registration and examinations
- First action
- Confirm your medical school, degree title and graduation year are eligible, then use your assessment history and specialist status to select the correct Medical Board pathway before paying an examination or college fee.
- Assessment
- AMC CAT MCQ Examination
Before choosing a country
Common questions
Does an MBBS automatically qualify me to practise abroad?
No. The destination regulator must accept the primary medical qualification and determine the applicable registration pathway. Internship, school eligibility, examination history, language evidence and recent practice can all affect the outcome.
Should I book PLAB or an AMC examination first?
Confirm the destination and pathway before booking. The UK may accept PLAB or another GMC evidence route, while Australia has Standard, Competent Authority and specialist pathways with different assessment requirements.
Is medical registration the same as a work visa?
No. Professional registration, employment and immigration are separate decisions. A regulator outcome does not guarantee a job or work authorization, and a visa does not grant permission to practise medicine.
Compare the public guide with your facts