An overseas trained doctor (OTD) wishing to work in New Zealand must meet a set of basic requirements in terms of primary medical qualifications, English language proficiency and a fitness to practice.

As a doctor working in New Zealand, other necessary documentation will be required from you such as medical indemnity for insurance purposes and an Annual Practising Certificate (APC).

As soon as Direct Medics has confirmed a position for you, you will be able to apply for a work visa or you may want to consider other options such as a working holiday or apply as a skilled migrant.

Requirements to Work in New Zealand

The Medical Council of New Zealand will register a doctor within a scope of practice, to practise medicine in New Zealand on receipt of a completed application form with correct documentation and payment of fee.

If the doctor meets fitness for registration requirements, holds one or more prescribed qualifications and satisfies the competence requirements, the New Zealand Medical Council will initially grant registration within a provisional scope of practice.

Primary Medical Qualification

The Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) currently regards most of the primary medical qualifications listed in the Avicenna Directory for the purposes of registration with the MCNZ. The list of qualifications not accepted for registration in New Zealand can be found here.

English Language Proficiency

All doctors must satisfy the English language requirements before they submit their application for registration. IELTS is the only English test approved by the Council. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Occupational English Test (OET) are not accepted by the Council as alternatives to IELTS.

The following scores in the Academic Module of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are required within one examination:

If the test date is before 1 February 2009 you will require an overall band of 7.5 or above, and a band of at least 7.0 in the four individual components of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

If the test date is on or after 1 February 2009 you will require a minimum requirement of 7.5 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in writing and reading.

Fitness to Practice

When applying for registration, you will be asked a number of questions relating to fitness for registration on the application form. This refers to your conduct and health, your English language ability and your medical skills and knowledge. More information on Fitness to Practice can be found on the Medical Council of New Zealand website.

Medical Indemnity

Medical indemnity cover is the insurance doctors buy to cover themselves for claims made by patients against them for medical negligence or for assistance if doctors are involved in investigations such as coronial inquiries. Overseas trained doctors should seek further information from their New Zealand employer regarding what medical indemnity cover they need for a particular medical job.

Annual Practising Certificate

Annual practising certificates (APCs) are issued at one of four dates during the year based on your birthday until the end of your cycle or reported end of employment in New Zealand whichever comes first.

The fee will depend on your birth date and your work start date as follows:

Doctor starts date	Birth date	Fee
1 Mar – 31 May	1 Mar – 31 May	$800.00
	1 Jun – 31 Aug	$320.00
	1 Dec – 28 (29) Feb	$640.00
1 Jun – 31 Aug	1 Jun – 31 Aug	$800.00
	1 Sep – 30 Nov	$320.00
	1 Dec – 28 (29) Feb	$480.00
	1 Mar – 31 May	$640.00
1 Sep – 30 Nov	1 Sep – 30 Nov	$800.00
	1 Dec – 28 (29) Feb	$320.00
	1 Mar – 31 May	$480.00
	1 Jun – 31 Aug	$640.00
1 Dec –28 (29) Feb	1 Dec –28 (29) Feb	$800.00
	1 Mar – 31 May	$320.00
	1 Jun – 31 Aug	$480.00
	1 Sep – 30 Nov	$640.00

The Council will send you a renewal form to you approximately six weeks before the expiry date with a guide to assist you in completing it. This guide can be downloaded here. If you do not hold a practising certificate and wish to apply, you can request an APC here.

If you are an overseas trained doctor who has never worked in New Zealand, you must request a certificate of good standing (CGS) for each country or board you were registered or licensed with. The CGS must be sent direct to Council from that country or board.

It is an offence to practise without a current practising certificate.

Immigration & Visas

You can enter New Zealand to work on a variety of visas. If you intend to bring family members who will live, work or study in New Zealand, you will need to ensure that they are included on your visa application.

You can get more information about Work Visas or Permits from New Zealand diplomatic and consular offices or from any of the NZIS branch offices. Please consult the New Zealand Immigration website for more information.


Working Holiday Visa

New Zealand offers Working Holiday Visa Schemes for people between 18 and 30 years old from the following countries: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA. To some countries New Zealand offers a limited amount of Working Holiday Visas and to some they offer unlimited Working Holiday Schemes. The length of the visa might also vary.

For example the UK: There are unlimited places available annually under this scheme to young citizens of the United Kingdom for a stay of up to 23 months

UK Working Holiday Makers will be able to work for a maximum of 12 months during their stay. This could be with the same employer, in one consecutive period, or spread throughout the two-year period.


Work Visa

After you have your NZMC registration you should apply for a work visa, an endorsement on your passport to allow you to enter or re-enter New Zealand. To apply for a work visa you will need to complete the following forms which can be downloaded from the New Zealand Immigration Service Website

To enter New Zealand on a temporary work permit, you must be in good health and of good character and have a passport that is valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand


Skilled Migrant

If you want to move to New Zealand under the Skilled Migrant Category, you will have to meet their requirements:

• You must be in good health
• You must be of good character
• You must speak sufficient English
• You will need to ensure you have occupational registration
• You must be no older than 55 years of age

A minimum of 100 points is required to be eligible for skilled migration. You can calculate your points by using the points calculator