Pathway To Ireland For Pakistani Doctors:
Pakistani medical graduates are eligible to apply for a license to practice medicine in Ireland. The regulating body is the Irish Medical Council (IMC).
Eligibility Criteria for Pakistani Medical Graduates (General Registration)
Before starting the application, ensure you meet the following:
Recognized Medical Qualification: Your medical degree must be from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). All recognized medical colleges in Pakistan are generally listed.
Satisfactory Internship/House Job: You must have completed a 12-month internship (house job) with a minimum of 3 months in General Medicine and 3 months in General Surgery. Crucially, if your internship in Pakistan commenced after December 31, 2008, and meets the IMC’s criteria, you are typically exempt from the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES).
English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate proficiency in English by achieving the required scores in either:
IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each module (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The test must be dated within the last two years.
OET (Occupational English Test): A minimum grade of B in each module (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The test must be dated within the last two years.
Good Standing: You must provide evidence of good professional standing from any medical regulatory authority you have been registered with in the last five years (e.g., Pakistan Medical Commission – PMC).
Step-by-Step Guide for General Registration in Ireland.
The Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES):
- Generally Required: For doctors trained outside of the EU/EEA, including Pakistan, the Irish Medical Council (IMC) generally requires passing the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES) to gain general registration. The PRES assesses medical knowledge and clinical skills.
- Components of PRES: The PRES typically includes a knowledge exam (similar to PLAB) and a clinical exam (PRES 3).
PRES Level 2 (Written Exam):
- This is typically a written, multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam. it has been conducted in designated test centers both in Ireland and internationally
PRES Level 3 (OSCE and Data Interpretation):
- This is the clinical and practical component, an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
Key takeaway: While the written component (PRES 2) might offer online or international options, the clinical component (PRES 3) will almost certainly require you to be in Ireland.
Exemptions from PRES:
However, there are circumstances where Pakistani medical graduates may be exempt from the PRES:
- Recognized Internship/Certificate of Experience: The most common pathway for Pakistani doctors to gain exemption is if their internship (house job) experience is recognized by the Irish Medical Council as equivalent to an Irish internship. Pakistan is one of the countries whose internships, if completed from 2009 onwards, can be considered for exemption.
- Higher Qualifications: Doctors holding certain higher qualifications (e.g., MCEM, MRCP, MRCS) may also be exempt from the PRES.
- Prior Registration/Training: If a doctor has previously been registered in the General or Trainee Specialist Divisions in Ireland, or has completed certain training programs, they may be eligible for exemption.
Phase 1: Pre-Application Preparation
Confirm Your Medical College and Internship Details: Verify your medical college is listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) website.
Ensure your house job rotations meet the IMC’s minimum requirements (3 months each in General Medicine and General Surgery). Collect your house job certificates.
Obtain Experience Certificate from Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC):
Register on the PMC online portal if you haven’t already. Apply for an “Experience Certificate” or “Accreditation of Experience” specifically stating that it is for the “Republic of Ireland.” This document should detail your house job rotations and dates. Upload all required documents (house job certificates, degree, etc.) and pay any applicable fees to PMC.
Complete English Language Proficiency Test: Book and take either the IELTS Academic or OET. Ensure your scores meet the IMC’s requirements. This is a critical first step as your application cannot proceed without it.
Phase 2: Irish Medical Council (IMC) Application:
Obtain Certificate of Good Standing from PMC: Once you are close to submitting your IMC application (within 3 months of submission), apply to the PMC to issue and directly send a “Certificate of Good Standing” to the Irish Medical Council. This document confirms you have no disciplinary actions against you. The IMC requires this document to be sent directly from the issuing authority.
Create an Account on the IMC Online Portal: Create an online account. This is where you will manage your application.
Complete the Online Application Form
After completion of form
Upload Supporting DocumentsAfter completion of form upload all the required documents
Pay the Application Fee:
Pay the non-refundable application fee (refer to the IMC website for current fees; historically, it’s around €420).
Submit Your Application:
Carefully review all information and uploaded documents before formally submitting your application.
Phase 3: Post-Submission and Final Registration:
Await Assessment and Verification:
The IMC will review your application and documents. They will cross-reference with EPIC for your verified credentials and await the Certificate of Good Standing directly from the PMC.
Important Note
This stage can take several weeks to a few months, depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of your submission. Address Any Queries from IMC: The IMC may contact you for additional information or clarification on your documents. Respond promptly to avoid delays.
Receive Eligibility Letter and Pay Registration Fee:
If your application is successful, you will receive an eligibility letter for IMC registration. You will then be prompted to pay the annual registration fee (e.g., €560 for General Registration).
Receive Certificate of Registration:
Once all fees are paid, and all requirements are met, the IMC will issue your official Certificate of Registration, granting you the license to practice medicine in Ireland.
Important Notes for Pakistani Graduates:
Provisional Registration: This is typically for doctors who need to complete their first year of structured training (equivalent to an internship) in Ireland. If you have completed your house job, you’re usually looking for General Registration. However, ensure your house job aligns perfectly with IMC’s internship requirements to avoid needing provisional registration.
PMC Verification: The PMC’s role in verifying your house job and sending the Certificate of Good Standing directly to the IMC is crucial. Ensure you follow their specific procedures for these documents.
Avarage Salary For Doctors In Ireland
Most Pakistani medical graduates, after getting their license (General Registration), will start as Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs). This category includes:
Interns: If your Pakistani house job wasn’t fully recognized or you need to complete a structured internship in Ireland, you might start as an Intern.
Average Salary: €40,000 – €45,000 per year (as of 2024 estimates).
Senior House Officers (SHOs): This is a common starting point for Pakistani graduates with a recognized internship/house job experience.
Average Salary: €50,000 – €65,000 per year.
Registrars: As you gain more experience and enter specialty training, you progress to Registrar level.Average Salary: €60,000 – €80,000 per year.
Consultants
Average Salary: €134,000 – €257,000 per year in the public sector.
Private Sector Consultants: Can earn significantly more, often ranging from €200,000 to €350,000+ per year, depending on their specialty and practice.
General Practitioners (GPs)
Salaried GPs: Generally earn between €72,000 and €165,000 per year.
Locum GPs: Can earn significantly more, with hourly rates of €100-€150 per hour, potentially leading to annual earnings of €100,000 to €234,000 or even more, depending on the number of sessions/hours worked.
CONTACT
MAHMOOD SALEEM
Advocate High Court
Immigration Consultant
Call 0321-4314001
WhatsApp 0333-5769655