Immigrate and Work in China as a Doctor? Salary, Exam

You are a doctor and want to immigrate and work in China. Is it possible? The answer is yes. There are two ways for you to pick one of them. You will learn how to immigrate and work in China as a doctor through this comprehensive guide.

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What are the requirements to immigrate and work in China as a doctor?

As you will read in the sections of this article, you will notice there are two ways to immigrate to China as a doctor. The first way is to study at a Chinese medical school, and the second way is that you get your degree abroad and pass the national medical exam.

The requirements to immigrate to China as a doctor vary by the way you pick. But a general list is as follows;

Language proficiency.

You have to master Chinese and learn it very well to immigrate to China as a doctor. There is no way to skip this part, and language proficiency is a must.

Even if you study at a Chinese university where medical courses are offered in English, you have to learn Chinese.

The national medical exam is in Chinese, and you have to pass it. Also, you need to know Chinese to talk with patients. Not all of them might speak or understand English.

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Medical degree.

Having a medical degree is one of the essential requirements for becoming a doctor in China.

You can get your degree from a Chinese university or a foreign medical school. It’s up to your condition and decision.

The process is different in each way, and the steps you have to follow. Look at the below section to learn about them.

Passing the National Medical Licensing Examination.

Whether you are a Chinese national, an international student in China, or a doctor who received your degree abroad, you have to pass the National Medical Licensing Examination.

It’s a must to pass this exam to immigrate and work in China as a doctor. The test is in Chinese, and there are a few sections with it.

It is held in China, and you have to visit the country to pass it. You can learn about the structure and how to register for it in the below section of this article.

Job offer.

If you are a foreign doctor and want to move to China, you need a job offer. This is after passing the National Medical Licensing Examination.

Every foreign person who wants to work in China needs a job offer. The employer applies for a work permit notice, and after it is issued, you can continue the rest of the process.

Complete the residency program.

The residency program in China is a must for everyone who wants to immigrate and work in China as a doctor.

If you study at a Chinese university, the center arranges the internship or residency for you, and it’s part of your studies. You can also take your residency in another place.

But if you have studied abroad, you have to take a one-year residency in China as well. It’s one of the requirements to pass the National Medical Licensing Examination.

You can choose your residency yourself, and it can be in any field; neurology, dermatology, etc.

Have enough funds.

If you want to study a medical course in China, you have to have enough funds for it. You must pay the tuition if you do not get funds or a scholarship.

The second way to immigrate to China as a doctor, you must have enough funds to pass the one-year residency. Then you must stay in China to pass the National Medical Licensing Examination. You must have enough funds to cover your expenses in this period.

Note; There are other requirements, and they depend on your conditions. When you read the sections of this article, you will know the exact details and requirements. You would better read the entire article once before you start taking action.

What are the ways you can immigrate and work in China as a doctor?

There are two ways to immigrate and work in China as a doctor. The first one is that you study a medical subject in one of the Chinese universities. Then you have to pass a medical test and find a job to work as a doctor in China.

The second way is that you are a verified doctor in your home country and want to immigrate to China. In this case, you will have to pass the medical exams and then find a job offer in China.

The below sections explain these two methods in detail, and you can find more information.

How can foreign-trained doctors immigrate and work in China as a doctor?

If you are a foreigner and want to immigrate and work in China as a doctor, this is the procedure you have to follow;

Get your degree in your home country.

You have to get your medical degree and finish your studies. It’s a must to have a medical degree if you want to immigrate and work in China as a doctor. Your educational certificate must be full-time and in a varied center. WHO must approve it, and by the time you get your degree in the center, it must have been approved.

Learn Chinese.

Even if you have completed your education outside of China and want to immigrate and work in China as a doctor, you have to learn Chinese. Language proficiency is a must, as you have to prove that you are eligible for the exams to receive your visa and be able to pass the exams. The qualification exams are in Chinese.

Doctors’ salaries in China.

Your salary as a doctor in China is up to many factors. But in this section, you can find a sample of the average salaries to get an understanding of your financial situation.

According to Glassdoor, you can expect to earn about $222,807 per year as a doctor in China. This source indicates that the average salary is about $182,873. You can expect to earn an additional payment of about $39,935 per year as well.

According to Salary Expert, your average salary as a doctor in China is about CNY 68,900 ($5.598) per month. The salary range begins from CNY 25,300 ($3.631) and goes up to CNY 116,000 ($16.651).

One of the determining factors for your salary is the type of job or skill you have. This table can give you an example of the different salaries for specific job titles

Advanced Nutrition Aide	42,900 CNY
Allergist	55,800 CNY
Chiropractor	35,600 CNY
Correctional Treatment Specialist	57,100 CNY
Dermatologist	86,100 CNY
Emergency Department Physician	62,500 CNY
Forensic Pathologist	73,500 CNY
Internist	95,600 CNY
Neurologist	90,400 CNY
Obstetrician / Gynecologist	82,500 CNY

Different sources have mentioned various numbers. According to Payscale, the average salary of a doctor in China is about CNY 120.000 per year.

How Many Hours Do Doctors Work in China?

Doctors in China work varying hours based on specialty, healthcare facility, and employment agreements. In public hospitals, they typically work around 40 hours per week but may also have night shifts, weekend shifts, and on-call duties.

Private healthcare settings offer more schedule flexibility, but doctors may still work long hours to meet patient demand.

Working conditions can differ across regions and healthcare settings. Recent reforms aim to reduce medical professionals’ workload and improve work-life balance.

Is It Hard to Get a Job as a Doctor in China as a Foreigner?

Obtaining a job as a doctor in China as a foreigner can be challenging. Several factors can influence the difficulty, including language proficiency, qualifications, and the specific medical field. Chinese hospitals often require doctors to be fluent in Mandarin, as patient communication is crucial. Additionally, foreign medical qualifications may not always align with Chinese standards, necessitating equivalency evaluations or additional training. Networking and having the right connections can also play a significant role in securing a medical job in China. Overall, while it’s not impossible, the process can be complex and competitive for foreign doctors.

Does China teach Medicine in English?

Yes, a few Chinese universities offer medical courses in English. For instance, Fudan University is one of them.

If you are determined to get admission from one of the universities that offer a course in English, visit the university’s website and determine the requirements.

The point you need to remember, and we have emphasized a few times, is that even if you study for a medical degree in English in one of the Chinese universities, you have to learn Chinese. After you finish your studies, you have to take a one-year residency. Then, you have to pass the national medical exams that are in Chinese.

Let’s sum up…

You learned how to immigrate and work in China as a doctor through this page of the Visa Library. As covered, there are two ways to immigrate to China as a doctor; one is to study for a medical degree in one of the Chinese universities, and the second one is to pass the national medical exam.

The article explained both ways, and you learned every step in detail.

If you have questions, write them down in the comment section. The Visa Library team will answer them.

You can find more information about China visa types from the top menu. Also, there are other articles for different job positions that want to move to China.