If you want to move abroad to pursue a medical career, you better consider New Zealand. This welcoming country is a haven for immigrants. This country’s demand for skilled medical professionals has made it an ideal destination. On this page in the Visa Library, you’ll find detailed guidance on how to immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor. Let’s dive in.
How to Immigrate to New Zealand as a Doctor?
To move to New Zealand as a doctor, you must go through several steps. Here’s a simple guide:
- Confirming Your Eligibility
- Medical Registration
- Applying for Doctor Jobs in New Zealand
- Applying for a New Zealand Work Visa
- Preparing for the Move
- Settling in New Zealand
- Professional Development
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Immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor
Step 1. Confirming Your Eligibility
First, ensure you meet the basic New Zealand Medical Council Registration requirements to practice medicine in New Zealand. This includes:
- Holding a medical degree from a reputable school recognized by the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). To get the complete list of New Zealand Medical Council-recognized universities, it’s best to visit the official MCNZ website or contact them directly. However, if your qualification is from a country where medical education standards are similar to New Zealand (like the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia), it’s typically recognized directly.
- Being registered with a Medical Licensing Authority and also being in good standing with it.
- Having English language proficiency. To practice medicine in New Zealand, you need a minimum overall band score of 7.5 on the IELTS academic module.
- Maintaining good physical and mental health suitable for medical duties.
- Providing evidence of good character and professionalism. You can show references and a criminal record check.
- Having at least two to three years of postgraduate clinical experience, especially if from countries with different healthcare standards.
- Understanding and adhering to New Zealand’s healthcare laws and professional guidelines.
Step 2. Medical Registration
To immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor, you need to register with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). How? You will likely have to:
- Identify the appropriate registration pathway. Common pathways include “General Registration”, “Vocational Registration” (for specialists), and “Provisional Registration” (for those new to practicing in New Zealand).
- Submit an initial eligibility application online through the MCNZ website. In addition to your medical education, postgraduate training, and work experience, you will need to provide details of your current medical license.
- Provide certified copies of all required documents, including your medical degree, evidence of identity (like a passport), certificates of professional status from other medical councils, and proof of English proficiency.
- The ECFMG in New Zealand (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) must verify your qualifications. This process happens through their Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) service.
- You may need to undergo a competence assessment, such as the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX Clinical), or practical assessments. We will talk about the NZREX exam in the following sections.
- You might need to attend an interview, either in person (at the MCNZ offices in Wellington, New Zealand) or online (via video conferencing platforms), to discuss your application and readiness to practice in New Zealand.
- The process can generally take several weeks to several months. If successful, you will receive an approval letter and must then pay the registration fee. It ranges from NZD 895 for a standard application to higher fees for more complex cases.
- Following payment, you will be registered with the MCNZ and can start practicing.
- Once registered, you must apply for an annual practicing certificate. The annual fee for maintaining your practicing certificate is around NZD 1,040.
Step 3. Applying for Doctor Jobs in New Zealand
To immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor, you must find an employer in New Zealand. Getting a doctor’s job in the country helps with medical residency in New Zealand for foreigners. Be aware that the employer must first have made genuine attempts to recruit New Zealanders for the job. Let us help you find jobs easier:
Online Job Boards in New Zealand
- Seek
- Trade Me Jobs
- Kiwi Health Jobs
- HealthJobsNZ
Recruitment Agencies in New Zealand
- MedRecruit
- Ochre Recruitment
- Geneva Healthcare
- Medacs Healthcare
Step 4. Applying for a New Zealand Work Visa
To start working as a doctor in New Zealand, you must apply for a work visa. The specific type of visa will depend on your job and your stay duration. For many doctors, the Essential Skills Work Visa is a suitable option. Here are the general steps:
- Verify that you meet the criteria, such as having a full-time job offer from a New Zealand employer, meeting health and character requirements, and having the qualifications and experience necessary for the job.
- Ensure your job meets the market rate salary and working conditions consistent with New Zealand standards.
- Fill out the New Zealand work visa application form. You can find it on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website. To immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor, you have the option to apply online or submit a paper application.
- Gather your documents:
- Job offer letter, including the name of the position, salary, and employment terms.
- Evidence of qualifications and work experience
- Your passport and your passport-size photos.
- Medical examination and chest x-ray, if applicable.
- Police certificates to prove your good character.
- Send your application form along with your documents to an INZ office or apply online.
- Pay the application fee, which ranges from NZD 495 to NZD 580.
- Wait for the decision, as your application is being reviewed, which can take anywhere from 25 working days to several months. If necessary, they may contact you for further information or to arrange an interview.
- If approved, you will receive your visa that outlines your rights in New Zealand. It contains information like how long you can stay and the conditions of your employment.
Step 5. Preparing for the Move
When preparing to move to New Zealand as a doctor, there are several key aspects to pay attention to:
- Setting up a bank account for managing your finances in New Zealand
- ANZ Bank New Zealand
- ASB Bank
- Bank of New Zealand (BNZ)
- Westpac New Zealand
- Kiwibank
- Finding suitable accommodation
- Trade Me Property
- Real estate.co.nz
- OneRoof
- co.nz
- Having health insurance to cover additional health costs
- Southern Cross Health Society
- NIB NZ
- Accuro Health Insurance
- AIA New Zealand
- Health Partners
- Arranging for the international shipping of your personal belongings.
- Researching the schooling options, if you have children.
- Converting your driver’s license to a New Zealand driver’s license if you are driving. It involves passing a theory test (around NZD 52.10) and a practical driving test (around NZD 88.20).
Step 6. Settling in New Zealand
After you immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor, you must perform several important registrations:
Medical Council Registration
If not completed beforehand, you need to finalize your registration with the MCNZ (Medical Council of New Zealand). This might involve a face-to-face interview and in-person verification of your original documents. The initial registration fee can vary from NZD 895 to NZD 1,305.
Annual Practicing Certificate (APC)
All foreign doctors in New Zealand must apply for an APC every year to continue practicing. You must confirm your fitness and your professional development activities. The fee is approximately NZD 1,040.
Inland Revenue Department (IRD) Registration
You must register with the IRD to get a tax number. You can do it online or at a local IRD office. It is free of charge.
Cost of Living for Doctors in New Zealand
To have a good doctor’s life in New Zealand, you generally need:
- Rent in the city center: NZD 1,400 to NZD 2,200 monthly
- Rent outside the city center: NZD 1,100 to NZD 1,800 monthly
- Utilities: NZD 140 to NZD 280 monthly.
- Groceries: NZD 300 to NZD 600 monthly for each person
- Transportation: NZD 100 to NZD 200 monthly
- Healthcare: Basic healthcare is free. Private healthcare is NZD 50 to NZD 200 monthly.
Step 7. Professional Development
After you immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor, you may need to complete additional professional development requirements per the MCNZ’s request. It could include:
Continuing Medical Education (CME) like activities in workshops, seminars, and conferences.
Peer Review by engaging in discussions and reviews of clinical practices with peers.
Clinical Audits like having your clinical performance assessed and analyzed to improve your quality of care.
New Zealand Medical Exam for Foreign Doctors
New Zealand is the New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX Clinical) is the primary examination to immigrate to New Zealand as a doctor. It assesses if you meet the medical knowledge and clinical skills standards.
You need to take this exam if:
- Your qualifications are not recognized directly by the MCNZ.
- You do not qualify for registration through other pathways and need to demonstrate your clinical competence.
To apply, you must register through the MCNZ website. First, ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, including necessary work experience and English language proficiency. Then, you can submit the required documentation and application fee. The fee for the NZREX Clinical exam is NZD 2,735.
The NZREX Clinical consists of multiple clinical stations (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations—OSCEs). In a nutshell, you must perform tasks related to patient care. You are assessed on your ability to diagnose, manage, and treat patients effectively in a controlled, simulated environment. The NZREX exam pass rate ranges between 50% and 60%.
How Much Do Doctors Make in New Zealand?
The Salary for doctors in New Zealand varies widely depending on their specialty, experience, and working sector (public or private). On average, doctors earn between NZD 70,000 to NZD 250,000 annually. Let’s dive deeper into salaries:
- Average doctor salary in New Zealand: Around NZD 150,000
- MBBS doctor salary in New Zealand: Typically starts at around NZD 70,000 to NZD 120,000 per year.
- Veterinary doctor salary in New Zealand: Between NZD 65,000 to NZD 100,000 annually
- Highest-paid doctors in New Zealand. They are typically specialists, such as anesthesiologists, surgeons, and obstetricians. They can earn from NZD 200,000 to over NZD 600,000 per year.
Are doctors well-paid in New Zealand?
Yes, doctors in New Zealand are generally well-paid due to their high level of qualification and responsibilities.
Can Foreign Doctors Work in New Zealand?
Foreign doctors can work in New Zealand, but they must first obtain registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand. Working as a physician in New Zealand may involve passing the NZREX Clinical exam or meeting other specific registration criteria depending on their qualifications and experience.
Doctor Jobs in New Zealand for Foreigners
Here are various doctor jobs in New Zealand for foreign-trained doctors:
- General Practitioner
- Hospital Doctor
- Specialist Consultant
- Locum Tenens
- Medical Officer
- Rural Medicine Practitioner
- Academic or Researcher
Immigrate to New Zealand as a Doctor: Let’s Recap!
We hope this article serves as a useful starting point for doctors planning to move to New Zealand. We’re here to help you navigate the immigration process and establish a successful medical practice overseas. Use the opportunity to advance your career in a country that offers both professional growth and a high standard of living.
If you have any questions about immigrating to New Zealand as a doctor, write them down in the comment section. You can also use Visa Library’s consultation services.
FAQs
Yes. They generally benefit from an easy registration process due to the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement, allowing them to register and practice without additional examinations.
Yes. Doctors with qualifications from the UK typically have their credentials recognized more straightforwardly due to similar medical training standards, allowing for easier registration.
Filipino doctors must have their medical qualifications recognized by the MCNZ and pass the NZREX Clinical exam. Additionally, secure a job offer and apply for a work visa to practice in the country.
It can be simple if you have recognized qualifications and pass any required assessments, such as the NZREX Clinical. Securing a job offer also plays a crucial role in the immigration process.
Doctors in New Zealand typically work between 40 and 50 hours per week, but this can vary depending on their specialty and whether they work in a hospital or a clinic setting.
- Author
- Max-B.
- January 10, 2023
