Australia Awards Scholarships
Generally tuition, return airfare, establishment/living support and award-holder health cover. Return-home obligations apply.
USMLE and US Residency Route Overview
Carry a medical foundation into the US examination, certification and residency process.
Make a private plan for this road ↗Open the step-by-step blueprint ↗
Shares this public guide. Your private plan and evidence are excluded.
Your starting conditions
An eligible medical school and ECFMG requirements are essential. This route starts with an Indian medical degree.
A potential US residency and subsequent applicable state licensing.
The milestone chain
Months are relative to the template’s school-entry planning point. Your private map can start at your current stage. Dependencies and duration are planning assumptions, not exam bookings.
- Month 0
Your starting point
Read the current bulletin and check subject, qualification and category requirements. Record your own target cycle.
0 months · decision
- Month 1
NEET-UG and counselling
Prepare, apply, sit the examination and use the appropriate counselling authority. Verify college recognition, fee schedule and any service bond.
11 months · exam · after Your starting point
- Month 12
Build your medical foundation
The template allows 54 academic months. Replace dates with the timetable and progression requirements of your recognised programme.
54 months · training · after NEET-UG and counselling
- Month 66
Supervised internship
Allow 12 months in this template and verify the applicable compulsory rotating internship and registration requirements.
12 months · training · after Build your medical foundation
- Month 36
Check ECFMG eligibility
Check your school’s ECFMG Sponsor Note and eligible graduation years, then the current identity and certification requirements before paying fees.
1 months · admin
- Month 42
USMLE Step 1
Plan the applicable eligibility period and testing region. The date here is your target, not an exam booking.
1 months · exam · after Check ECFMG eligibility
- Month 65
USMLE Step 2 CK
Prepare clinical knowledge and a booking plan. Programme eligibility and school certification requirements still apply.
1 months · exam · after USMLE Step 1
- Month 78
ECFMG certification requirements
Complete the applicable credential and clinical/communication requirements for your cycle. Do not assume prior-year Pathways remain valid.
6 months · application · after Supervised internship, USMLE Step 2 CK
- Month 84
Residency applications and Match
Prepare documents and references, apply to suitable programmes and assess costs. This six-month window is an assumption; verify the actual cycle.
6 months · application · after ECFMG certification requirements
- Month 90
Residency training
A 36-month example; actual training duration varies by specialty. Selection, visa and programme completion are separate requirements.
36 months · training · after Residency applications and Match
- Month 102
USMLE Step 3 and licensing
Check ECFMG certification eligibility, state-board requirements and the current fee before applying. USMLE currently lists USD 955 for the 2026/2027 Step 3 application; travel and other charges are separate.
1 months · exam · after ECFMG certification requirements
- Month 126
State licensing and next practice
Verify the relevant state requirements and complete the applicable examinations and training.
3 months · admin · after Residency training, USMLE Step 3 and licensing
The cost notebook
Original currencies and fee sources stay attached. A missing quote is unresolved, not free. Confirm taxes, waivers, payment timing and your institution’s actual fee schedule.
| Cost | Native amount | Basis and conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical programme tuition | ₹300–₹35,00,000estimated rangeINR · annual · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: annual Indian MBBS tuition planning envelope from highly subsidised public to expensive private/quota seats; institution and quota determine the amount; internship tuition excluded. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | annualObtain the exact institution and quota fee schedule. Internship tuition is not assumed. | |
| Accommodation and living | ₹8,000–₹3,00,000estimated rangeINR · monthly · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: monthly personal budget for India foundation study through shared housing in a US city, food and local transport; choose the actual city and stage, excluding dependants and tuition. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | monthlyYour budget estimate; include food, transport and local accommodation. | |
| Documents, verification and insurance | ₹5,000–₹50,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: one-off allowance for copies, translations, courier, background/health documents and initial basic insurance; exclude credential services and clinical insurance already itemised elsewhere. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offRequest itemized quotes. Record applicable taxes, translations and insurance. | |
| Travel, relocation and visa-related costs | ₹1,20,000–₹4,00,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: one-off planning allowance for India–US exam/relocation travel, baggage, initial local transfers and applicable visa application costs; ticket dates and immigration route require quotes. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offObtain official application fees and current travel quotes. Immigration rules require separate checking. | |
| Step 1 base examination fee | US$695sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official 2026/2027 base fee for one Step 1 sitting; region surcharge, India tax and card charges are separate. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offPublished fee reviewed 2026-09-05; region surcharge and applicable tax are additional. | |
| Step 1 region surcharge | US$210sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official surcharge for one Step 1 sitting outside the US/Canada; confirm test region and tax. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offOutside US/Canada region; verify country applicability and tax. | |
| Step 2 CK base examination fee | US$695sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official 2026/2027 base fee for one Step 2 CK sitting; region surcharge, India tax and card charges are separate. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offRegion surcharge and applicable tax are additional. | |
| Step 2 CK region surcharge | US$235sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official surcharge for one Step 2 CK sitting outside the US/Canada; confirm test region and tax. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offOutside US/Canada; India GST may apply. Not a complete payable quote. | |
| ECFMG certification application | US$580sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official ECFMG application fee; account, credential verification and Pathway fees remain separate. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offSeparate MyIntealth, credential verification and current Pathway fees may apply. | |
| MyIntealth account establishment | US$110sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official account-establishment fee, including its stated online notarisation charge; do not pay again if already established. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offVerify whether already paid before adding to your budget. | |
| Diploma and transcript verification | US$220sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official combined fee for final diploma and transcript verification; confirm both documents apply. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offFees and applicable documents depend on the application. | |
| ECFMG Pathway application | US$945sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official Pathway application fee; communication test and cycle eligibility are separate. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offCycle-specific; English/communication tests, tax and application services may be additional. | |
| Step 3 fee | US$955sourcedUSD · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Official USMLE and FSMB fee pages now agree on USD 955 for 2026/2027; one sitting, with US travel separate. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-off2026 Step 3 application amount recorded from USMLE/FSMB. Travel, accommodation, eligibility and later-year pricing are separate. Human review pending. | |
| Indian MBBS foundation admission/application costs — only before admission | ₹1,000–₹15,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: one admission cycle of entrance and non-refundable application/counselling charges in India; category and number of applications vary; refundable seat deposits excluded. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offOptional foundation-only planning range. Excluded by default for admitted students and graduates; this is not a USMLE examination or US residency application fee. Enable only for a separate unfinished Indian admission cycle. | |
| USMLE preparation resources and study equipment reserve | ₹80,000–₹3,00,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Authored allowance for optional question banks, practice assessments, reference materials and equipment over a multi-exam preparation period; provider choices vary. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offAdd the applicable official fee or your estimate. If not applicable, record zero with the reason. Never assume an unknown cost is free. | |
| Institution-specific tuition or service-bond liability — verify selected contract | unknown — verifyunknown — verifyINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 No named institution or contract has been selected; an amount or currency-specific range would be indefensible. Amount source; human review pending ↗ | one-offUnknown — verify. Any unfinished degree tuition, elective charge or service-bond obligation depends on the actual institution and signed contract. No universal USMLE tuition or bond fee exists. | |
| US route emergency or repeat-attempt contingency reserve | ₹1,00,000–₹4,00,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Authored optional reserve for disrupted travel, rescheduling or repeat preparation; not a verified fee or prediction that a repeat is necessary. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offAdd the applicable official fee or your estimate. If not applicable, record zero with the reason. Never assume an unknown cost is free. | |
| OET or applicable communication assessment | ₹38,000–₹47,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: one full OET sitting: provider lists AUD 587; INR planning uses AUD/INR 65–75 plus payment allowance, not an official INR quote. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offAdd the applicable official fee or your estimate. If not applicable, record zero with the reason. Never assume an unknown cost is free. | |
| ERAS and programme application charges | ₹55,000–₹4,00,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: one ERAS season, assumed 30–120 programmes in one specialty plus token/transcript allowance; published per-programme rates with INR/USD 90–100 planning FX. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offAdd the applicable official fee or your estimate. If not applicable, record zero with the reason. Never assume an unknown cost is free. | |
| NRMP registration | ₹8,000–₹21,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: one NRMP cycle: USD 85 standard fee plus possible late/couples charges, at INR/USD 90–100 planning FX; more than 20 ranks costs extra. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offAdd the applicable official fee or your estimate. If not applicable, record zero with the reason. Never assume an unknown cost is free. | |
| Applicable USMLE India testing tax (confirm taxable base) | ₹22,000–₹36,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: two India sittings: budget 18% on the USD 1,390 base fees up to USD 1,835 including region fees, using INR/USD 90–100; confirm invoice tax base. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offAdd the applicable official fee or your estimate. If not applicable, record zero with the reason. Never assume an unknown cost is free. | |
| US clinical experience and insurance | ₹2,00,000–₹9,00,000estimated rangeINR · one-off · as of 2026-09-05 Estimated range: one to three months of US clinical experience: assumed placement charges and required clinical insurance; flights, accommodation and visa counted in their own rows. Context source; range is an assumption ↗ | one-offAdd the applicable official fee or your estimate. If not applicable, record zero with the reason. Never assume an unknown cost is free. |
Funding leads to investigate
These programmes are discovery leads. Confirm nationality, qualification, subject exclusions and current call dates. A listed award must cover the exact health discipline and study purpose; eligibility for this qualification is not established by this list.
Global Korea Scholarship
Tuition, living allowance, eligible airfare and language training under current terms.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Up to three years of tuition, fees, stipend and specified travel and relocation support.
Manaaki New Zealand Tertiary Scholarships
Tuition, living/establishment support, eligible travel and insurance under award conditions.
The life around the training
Geographical moves, applications, match uncertainty and specialty-dependent schedules need a personal plan.
Exam retakes, certification conditions and an unmatched cycle can add time and significant costs.
Residency may be paid; no job, match, visa or salary is assumed.
Step-by-step preparation guide
resident physician in an accepted training programme
11 of 11 guide actions await human review. Sources checked 2026-09-05. Your own qualification, branch and eligibility still need an authority decision.
Qualification, cohort and actual experience come before exam bookings.
Does school, degree, campus and graduation year meet ECFMG eligibility?
- school record
- Sponsor Note for graduation year
- transfer-credit history
Are you a student eligible for the selected Step or a graduate with final credentials?
- enrolment/graduate confirmation
- diploma
- transcript
- internship dates
What examinations, attempts, licences and certification expiry dates already exist?
- official score reports
- all registration statuses
- prior Step 2 CS history
- certificate expiry
Which specialty, programme cycle and state are being targeted?
- programme shortlist
- state requirements
- work/visa status
- weekly hours and liquid funds
Gaps to investigate
- An eligible medical qualification remains necessary; school aspirants first use the Indian foundation branch.
- Assess clinical knowledge against official Step outlines and recent supervised clinical feedback.
- Check OET under the selected Pathways cycle; English-medium MBBS is not a Pathways exemption.
- Separate programme-specific experience/references from regulator-wide requirements.
Turn this page into your next action
Keep the source, your unanswered questions and one personal target together. This blank worksheet downloads to your device; it does not submit an application or copy your private plan.
Prepare for this exam in Study OS
Use Future for the whole route and Study for today’s practice. Study activity does not establish eligibility or predict an exam result.
Study Countdown & daily plan ↗Study recall decks ↗Anatomy Lab · explore 3D & CT ↗Study USMLE journey ↗
The USMLE countdown journal
- 137 days to my USMLE: the plan · 2026-08-16
Keep the wider decision in view
Explore other roads in this health field. Similarity does not establish eligibility or make their costs interchangeable.