removed at the request of the user

might be an idea to post this in the "General Discussion for Internationals and IMGs" forum. The folks in there might be best placed to help.

IMO, she would at least have to pass the board exams...which brings its own prereqs with it...

As a doctor who was trained in Pakistan your sister cannot practice in the US unless she passes the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). I believe that foreign medical grads must pass 3 USMLE steps before they are eligible to practice or pursue post-graduate training in the US. I have no idea how a foreign medical grad would get a visa to work in the US.

> my sister finished her MBBS from Pakistan

Good.

> and was thinking of immigrating here.

Does she have a green-card ? If not, she would have to do her residency training on either an 'exchange visitor' (J1) or 'temporary qualified worker' (H1b) visa. Both have up and downsides, if you have questions pm me.

> As a doctor in Pakistan, can she practice here?

Yes ! BUT:
She needs to pass the following exams
- USMLE step1 , the pre-clinical science exam (can be done in Pakistan)
- USMLE step2ck, the clinical science exam (can be done in Pakistan)
- USMLE step2cs, a practical patient encounter exam (has to be done in the US, Atlanta, LA or Philadelphia)
(If she needs to get an H1b visa she also needs to pass)
- USMLE step3, an exam testing clinical management skills

On the website of the ECFMG (educational commission for foreign medical graduates) she can find out how to register for step1 to step2cs.
www.ecfmg.org
ECFMG also verifies with ther medical school that she completed the MBBS. After successful completion of step1 step2ck and step2cs and after verifying her credentials, they issue a 'standard ECFMG certificate', the key to the door to US american medical education.

> If anyone could give me information on the process etc.

Here is the process:
- register and pass step1 and step2ck (spring/summer, takes a couple of months)
- come to the US and pass step2cs
- register for the 'electronic residency application system (ERAS)' (july/aug)
- register for the 'national residency matching program' (july/aug)
- apply for residency programs (sept 1st)
- go for interviews (sept-jan)
- rank programs in order of preference/chance to get a job (feb 17th)
- write step3 (anytime after ECFMG certificate is issued)
- if lucky, get a residency contract (march 15th)
- file visa paperwork
- start residency on july 1st

> I would appreciate it. Comments/questions are welcomed. Thank you.

comments:
- coming from Pakistan is a bit of a disadvantage these days. At times, issuance of visas in Pakistan can be delayed by several months. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of pakistani residents around.
- key is to do very very well on step1 and step2ck. This is the yardstick programs use to compare your sister to the 'native' candidates'.
- the process is expensive. ~$3500 for examination fees + travel expenses + fedex bills
- the return on the investment in time and money is well worth it.

Couple of websites

Registration for the first 3 exams
www.ecfmg.org
Residency match program
www.nrmp.org
Database with residency training opportunities
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2997.html
Electronic residency application service
http://www.aamc.org/students/eras/start.htm
Pakistani american medical association
http://www.appna.org/

f_w

Thank you for the detailed reply. I do have a few questions...I will get my thoughts in order and PM you .

Moving to International Forum...

Thanks

Thanks


errr..which college in pakistan...just wondering