MBBS in USA for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants typically arrive at this topic from one of two starting points: an F.Sc. or A-Level student planning undergraduate study, or an MBBS graduate from a PMDC-recognised college planning US residency. The planning sequence is completely different for each.
Published 2026-02-10 · Updated 2026-09-12 · Last verified 2026-09-12 · Medically reviewed 2026-09-12
Answer in brief
The United States does not award an MBBS. School leavers from Pakistan who want a US medical degree first complete a bachelor's degree with pre-medical prerequisites, take the MCAT and apply through AMCAS, funding the degree largely without US federal aid. MBBS graduates from Pakistan instead seek ECFMG certification, pass the USMLE Steps and apply for residency through ERAS and the NRMP Match.
If you are finishing F.Sc. or A-Levels
There is no direct entry from secondary school into a US medical school in the way MDCAT leads into a Pakistani MBBS. The usual sequence is a four-year bachelor's degree containing the prerequisite sciences, followed by the MCAT and the AMCAS application. Undergraduate study may be completed in Pakistan or in the United States, but some US medical schools require prerequisites taken at a US or Canadian institution.
| Stage | Pakistan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Entry test | MDCAT | MCAT, after a bachelor's degree |
| Entry point | After F.Sc. or A-Levels | After a bachelor's degree in almost all cases |
| Degree awarded | MBBS | MD or DO |
| House job or internship | One-year house job for registration | Internship is the first residency year |
| Postgraduate training | FCPS and other national pathways | Residency through ERAS and the NRMP Match |
If you already hold a Pakistani MBBS
- Check that your college is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with an ECFMG sponsor note.
- Register with ECFMG and take USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
- Meet the current ECFMG clinical and communication skills requirement.
- Complete primary-source verification of your MBBS diploma.
- Gather US clinical experience where you can obtain it lawfully, and secure letters of recommendation.
- Apply through ERAS, interview, and rank programmes in the NRMP Match.
Observerships are not a Match guarantee
Recognition and verification
Recognition by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council governs practice in Pakistan. For US purposes, what matters is the medical school's listing and sponsor note in the World Directory of Medical Schools, because that determines ECFMG eligibility. Verify your own college's entry rather than relying on general statements about Pakistani colleges.
Funding, visas and timing
International students are generally not eligible for US federal loans, so schools that admit them usually require evidence of funds before issuing a Form I-20 for the F-1 visa. Residency trainees are commonly sponsored on a J-1 visa through ECFMG. Visa appointment availability in Pakistan varies, so build interview timing into your examination and application calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is MDCAT accepted in the USA?
No. US medical schools use the MCAT and assess undergraduate degree coursework. MDCAT is used for entry to Pakistani medical colleges.
Can I do USMLE during my MBBS in Pakistan?
Many students take USMLE Steps during or after medical school subject to ECFMG's eligibility rules for each Step. Check the current eligibility requirements before scheduling.
Do Pakistani MBBS graduates need to redo medical school in the USA?
No. The recognised route is ECFMG certification plus the USMLE sequence, then application to US residency as an international medical graduate.
Which US visa applies to residency?
Most international residents train on a J-1 visa sponsored by ECFMG; some programmes sponsor H-1B. The choice is made by the programme, not the applicant alone.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and outcome data change. Check each source for its own publication date.
- 1.Accredited MD programs in the United States — Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- 2.Applying to medical school with AMCAS — Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- 3.Taking the MCAT exam — Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- 4.ECFMG Certification — Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
- 5.World Directory of Medical Schools — WFME and FAIMER
- 6.ERAS for residency applicants — Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
- 7.Main Residency Match results and data — National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)
- 8.Pakistan Medical and Dental Council — Pakistan Medical and Dental Council
Authorship and review
Reviewed for factual accuracy against publicly available primary sources. Requirements change; verify directly with the relevant school, accreditor, examination authority or licensing body.
Written by
MBBSinAmerica Editorial Team
Research and editorial desk
The editorial desk compiles US medical education information from accreditor publications, medical school websites, examination authorities and federal data releases, and records a source and verification date for every figure published.
Areas of expertise: LCME accreditation records, AMCAS and MD admissions processes, USMLE and ECFMG requirements, NRMP Match reporting.
Reviewed by
Medical Review Board
MD / MBBS reviewers with US graduate medical education experience · United States
Review panel members check that descriptions of degrees, examinations, accreditation and residency processes reflect the current published requirements of the responsible bodies, and that no page implies a guaranteed admission, examination or Match outcome.
Review date: 2026-09-12
Reviewers receive no payment from medical schools, test preparation providers or recruitment agencies, and review assignments are unrelated to advertising relationships.