When studying medicine, you might be getting excited about the prospect of applying for an internship abroad. With a reputable internship organization like Med Trips, the world truly is your oyster. Africa, Europe and South America are just some of the places where you can do a medical internship to further your medical knowledge and practice.
But what about India? With new regulations in place regarding medical internships for students from overseas institutions, many people are now concerned that they may not be able to complete their internship in India.
Today, we’ll explore whether foreign medical students can complete internships in India, the current regulations, and how Med Trips can help you organize it all.
Can I Study a Clinical Elective in India?
Yes, India allows foreign medical students to participate in clinical electives and observation programs. However, there are some important things to note:
Eligibility to Your Chosen Program
The majority of internships require students to be at least 18 years old and either be enrolled in or have recently graduated from an accredited medical school in their current home country. Most internships are available to students in their final years of medical school, but some exceptions can be made.
The Type of Elective
Most electives are either observational for pre-med students or short-term clinical attachments lasting between two and 12 weeks. The organization you choose to work with will offer different types of electives.
For example, Med Trips offers medical electives in both Jaipur and Delhi, where you’ll get direct hands-on experience, exposure to patient care, and the chance to sit in on case discussions and clinical rounds.
Application Requirements
The internship you’re applying for will have specific requirements. You’ll need to make sure you can adhere to these requirements to ensure you’re a good match before spending time filling out an application form.
Examples of what you may need include:
- A letter from your home university requesting the elective
- CV with relevant experience and a statement of purpose
- Passport, visa and health insurance
- Clean criminal background check
Internship Organization vs. Private Planning
When planning your internship, you might consider organizing a placement, accommodation and travel yourself. However, this can be extremely difficult, especially if there’s a language barrier. Internship placements are often snapped up quickly, so it can be difficult to secure a place from another country.
Luckily, utilizing an internship organization like Med Trips can make it much easier to plan your trip. We partner with several hospitals and medical institutions to provide placements for our interns, alleviating the stress for you so you can focus on your studies.
Do I Need a Visa to Complete an Internship in India?
While the decision of whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and current home country, the majority of interns in India will require a visa. The type you need depends on whether you’re planning a short-term internship or a longer formal internship.
Here’s what you need to know:
Short-Term Clinical Electives
For short-term internships (usually lasting two to 12 weeks), you’ll need a student visa. This is sometimes also referred to as a research/training visa, depending on the hospital you plan to join.
Some students make the mistake of choosing a tourist visa for their trip, but this isn’t allowed for clinical exposure in India - even when your placement is unpaid.
Long-Term Formal Internships
Formal internships typically last around 12 months and require a student visa. In some cases, a medical training visa might be issued instead, depending on the institution you’re going to help.
To be awarded the correct visa, you must be officially registered with the National Medical Commission (NMC). If you’re unsure of which visa to choose, check the letter from the hospital or college issuing the internship, as this will often offer guidance as to what you need.
How Med Trips Can Help Plan Your Internship in India
Met Trips proudly provides support for medical students hoping to complete medical internships in India and make a meaningful difference. Our structured internships offer both clinical exposure and cultural immersion, making them a great option if you’re interested in short-term electives.
Here are just a few ways we can help support your adventure to India:
- Structured clinical exposure:
Med Trips organizes internships in Delhi and Jaipur, where you’ll have the opportunity to shadow professional doctors and surgeons across multiple specialties, including emergency medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and radiology.
You’ll gain hands-on experience through our internships, where you can choose your specialty while also contributing wherever needed.
Aside from clinical experience, we’re passionate about helping our interns immerse themselves completely into the local community. Our supervisors can help you find fun activities and landmarks to enjoy, along with cuisines to try and traditions to participate in.
Staying in our intern house also allows you to form strong friendships with fellow interns from all walks of life, letting you explore India with friends.
We’re passionate about making sure all of our interns feel comfortable, confident and supported throughout their entire time in India. To do this, we’ll take care of your accommodation, meals, transport from the airport, and orientation.
We’ll also be on hand before your internship starts for any assistance you may need. Whether you need guidance on the correct visa to get or packing for your trip, we’re happy to help.
- Flexible program durations:
Our internships in India are available between two and 12 weeks, so you can choose how long you want to stay. This lets you choose a timeframe that aligns with your academic schedule and personal commitments.
We often recommend at least two weeks for medical interns, so you can settle into your new role without rushing your experience. For full immersion of both Indian culture and the healthcare system, 12 weeks is an ideal opportunity for medical students.
Ready To Plan Your Medical Internship in India?
Most medical students can complete internships in India without issue, provided the internship is short-term clinical or observational elective. You may also be eligible for a formal internship, provided you meet the requirements outlined by the NMC.
Med Trips focuses on short-term internships for students who crave the opportunity of making a lasting impact while boosting their practical knowledge and experience. Check out our medical elective opportunities in India to find the best one for you today.
