At a glance
What a student from Maharashtra needs to know before deciding — clearly and honestly.
The education
Admission to the Philippine MD programme needs the applicable bachelor’s/pre-medical qualification and NMAT requirements. The pre-medical BS/BA and the MD are separate programmes. Make sure both your admission path and your final medical qualification meet current CHED and NMC requirements.
The true cost
Low tuition and living costs make it one of the most affordable English-medium MBBS routes.
Safety & visa
Check the latest MEA advisory before you travel. Check your exact institution and programme against current NMC rules before enrolling.
Top universities
A selection of universities popular with Maharashtra students, with indicative tuition.
After you graduate
Post-study work rights are the most important factor — and the most likely to change. Here is the position as of today.
The Philippines has no dedicated post-study job-search visa. Working after graduation is not automatic: you need an employer-sponsored work visa (e.g. 9(g) pre-arranged employment) and an Alien Employment Permit. Indian medical graduates typically return to India for FMGE/NExT and registration.
Immigration rules, eligibility and salary thresholds change frequently and without notice. Always verify the latest official guidance before you apply, and never treat any figure here as a guarantee of future entitlement.
- No dedicated post-study job-search visa
- Work needs an employer-sponsored visa, e.g. 9(g)
- An Alien Employment Permit is also required
- Indian medical graduates typically return for FMGE/NExT
Visa, work & money rules
The official rules behind your visa, work, family and budget planning. Rules change often, so confirm each point on the official government or university website before you apply.
Student visa
Degree students at CHED-recognised higher-education institutions use the 9(F) Student Visa. You must be at least 18 and show proof of sufficient means. On arrival, you get the ACR I-Card and the Certificate of Residence for Temporary Students through your institution. Short or non-degree courses use a Special Study Permit (SSP) instead, not a 9(F) visa.
Visa & permit fees
The Bureau of Immigration’s current 9(F) webpage shows PHP 9,720 in visa/conversion charges plus US$50 for the ACR I-Card. BI notes that this published fee schedule is historical (last updated 6 March 2014) and may change, so confirm the actual current amount on the BI Order of Payment Slip before you pay. If you need a Special Study Permit instead of a 9(F) visa, BI’s current SSP page shows PHP 5,240 plus a US$50 ACR I-Card fee, and likewise warns that the published fee schedule may change.
Work while studying
A 9(F) student visa does not give you the right to work. Employment needs a separate Alien Employment Permit (DOLE) and the appropriate work visa, so do not assume a weekly student-work allowance. Clinical or curricular training that is a formal part of your programme is treated separately.
Family & dependants
The 9(F) Student Visa does not give your spouse or children an automatic dependant status. Family members who come with you must qualify for their own lawful Philippine immigration status. Confirm the right category with the Bureau of Immigration.
Health insurance
Health-insurance requirements can be set by your university or programme. Confirm the medical/insurance cover you need directly with your institution. Do not assume foreign students are automatically enrolled in PhilHealth.
Scholarships
CHED’s main national merit scholarship programmes are generally meant for Filipino citizens, so they are not standard scholarships for Indian students. Check scholarships offered directly by Philippine universities, and any current bilateral or external scholarship programme for which foreign nationals are expressly eligible.
MBBS — NMC rules
As an Indian student, you must meet the NMC/FMGL 2021 requirements: a qualifying NEET score (your NEET result serves as the Eligibility Certificate); the prescribed course and clinical-training duration; a 12-month internship at the same institution that awards the degree; instruction in English; and eligibility for registration/licensure in the Philippines. Check the US-style BS pre-med + MD structure against these conditions. A WDOMS listing only confirms that a medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools; it is not NMC approval and is not a guarantee of quality or recognition. FMGE still applies unless/until it is replaced by NExT. Check the specific institution and programme against current NMC rules. Latest India-specific update, 17 June 2026: the Embassy of India in Manila reported that CHED informed it that the 54-month Doctor of Medicine programme (excluding the pre-medical BS) at CHED-recognised institutions includes the subjects required under India’s FMGL framework, uses English as the medium of instruction, includes a 12-month internship in the same medical institution or its attached hospital, and provides a Certificate of Registrability to practise in the Philippines. However, foreign graduates may take the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination only where reciprocity requirements are met, and guidance from the competent Indian authorities on this reciprocity issue was still awaited in the 17 June 2026 advisory. Do not assume every Philippine MD programme automatically meets all NMC requirements: check the exact institution and programme, and the current licensure and reciprocity position, before you enrol.
ROI calculator
Enter your own numbers to see total investment and an indicative payback period. This is a guide only — not financial advice.
With the default assumptions (₹5L tuition and ₹5L living costs a year for 4 years, a 10% scholarship and a ₹14L starting salary), total investment is ₹38L and the indicative payback period is 4.2 years.
Philippines — Master's ROI
Indicative · based on today's assumptions
Figures are indicative only and vary with fees, salaries, exchange rates and visa rules. Treat this as one data point — not conclusive evidence or financial advice.
Safety snapshot
Based on Ministry of External Affairs guidance — always check the latest official advisory before you travel.
Check the latest MEA advisory
Check the latest guidance from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India in Manila before you travel, and follow advisories for specific regions. Register on MADAD (madad.gov.in). English is widely spoken.
Emergency contacts
Dial 911. MEA helpline: 1800 11 3090.
Register with the embassy
Register at madad.gov.in on arrival so the nearest Indian Mission can reach you in an emergency.
Food, culture & community
What to expect day-to-day — and how to feel at home far from home, as a student from Maharashtra.
Food & groceries
Indian groceries in Manila and larger cities. Vegetarian options available with planning.
The Maharashtra community
Established Indian medical-student community with active support networks.
Maha-Alumni Connect lets you speak with students from your own district who studied at these very universities.
Compare Philippines with other destinations.
See the same degree across countries, or check the latest safety guidance before you commit.