Why Indian Students Are Choosing the Philippines for a Safer Medical Education Route

With global immigration rules becoming increasingly unpredictable, Indian students aspiring to study medicine are now prioritising stability, recognition, and affordability. The recent increase in the U.S. H-1B visa application fee to USD 100,000 in September 2025 has highlighted how uncertain visa-dependent education pathways can be.

In India, the situation is equally challenging. In 2025, nearly 23 lakh students registered for NEET-UG, but only 1.23 lakh MBBS seats were available across the country. While government colleges offer affordable options, seats are extremely limited. Private medical colleges, on the other hand, often charge between Rs. 50 lakh and Rs. 1 crore, making them unaffordable for many families. As a result, studying medicine abroad has become a necessity rather than a choice for many students.

However, not all overseas medical degrees are valid in India. As per National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, students must meet strict eligibility criteria, and degrees from non-recognised universities are not accepted for medical practice in India. This makes choosing an NMC-approved institution essential.

Globally, Indian student enrolments have declined in countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. due to changing visa rules, while stable destinations such as Germany, Russia, and the Philippines are seeing increased interest. The Philippines, in particular, attracts over 15,000 Indian medical students each year due to its English-medium education, affordable fees, transparent visa process, and recognised universities.

Commenting on this trend, Dr. David Pillai, CEO and Founding Chairman of Transworld Educare, said that students and parents should focus on medical education pathways that offer long-term security and regulatory approval. According to him, NMC-recognised universities in stable countries like the Philippines allow students to concentrate on learning without worrying about visa or eligibility issues.

The Philippines also offers added advantages, including a U.S.-based medical curriculum, strong clinical training, and exposure to disease patterns similar to India. These factors help Indian students gain practical experience relevant to medical practice back home.

For families planning medical education abroad, choosing NMC-approved universities in the Philippines provides a safe, reliable, and affordable pathway to becoming a doctor.