A Comprehensive Guide for Pakistani Medical Graduates
Qatar’s rapidly expanding healthcare sector presents attractive opportunities for medical professionals worldwide. Oversight of practitioner licensing and ethical conduct lies with the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). This body was formerly known as the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP) until 2013.
This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step outline for Pakistani medical graduates seeking initial registration to practice as General Practitioners in Qatar. While the focus is on GP licensure, many points also apply to other specialties.
Issued by PMDC – Confirms that you are fully registered, licensed, and have no pending disciplinary cases. It is an international requirement used by most global licensing bodies, including the Qatar DHP.
Estimated Duration: Processing: ~15 working days after online submission and payment. Delivery: Add transit time if the certificate is couriered directly to Qatar.
Mandatory PSV – Dataflow verifies your degree, internship, work experience, and professional licenses directly from the issuing authorities. Partner since 2009 – Trusted by the Qatar DHP.
Fees: ~1,100 QAR to 1,500 QAR (varies by document count).
Duration: Typical: 4 to 6 weeks (25–30 working days). Plan on 1–2 months overall.
Most General Practitioners from outside Qatar do require the exam. Exemptions may exist for certain postgraduate qualifications (e.g., specialized degrees), but Pakistani MBBS holders typically must sit for it. Always verify with DHP Official Website for current exemption policies.
Covers broad medical topics: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT, Dermatology, Epidemiology, Evidence-Based Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Medical Ethics & Communication Skills.
Evaluation Fees: ~100 QAR for evaluation (paid online via credit/debit card).
Duration: Can take a few weeks. The status might show as “pending with employer” if an employer is involved, then “application evaluated by DHP.”
In Qatar, an employer typically sponsors your work visa and helps with final licensing steps. A confirmed job offer is often required for the “employer-initiated” stages of the application.
The employer typically takes the lead on your behalf. Employer logs in via their institutional DHP account to finalize your temporary or permanent license requests.
Often valid for 6 months (non-renewable). Allows you to begin working under employer sponsorship while preparing for a permanent license.
| Feature | Temporary License (6 Months) | Permanent License (2 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | Positive DHP evaluation, Job offer, Prometric exam passed (if required), Positive Dataflow PSV | Completion of temporary license period or direct from evaluation (in some cases), Fulfilling all permanent license document requirements |
| Required Documents | Typically initiated by employer; may include: Evaluation approval, Employment agreement, Basic ID docs, PSV reference, Prometric pass result | Updated CV, Qatari ID (front & back), Medical report (Qatar-approved), Criminal record clearance (Qatar), Good Standing Certificate (PMDC), Dataflow report, Prometric exam certificate, Copies of academic/experience docs, Passport copy |
| Fees | Usually covered by employer; can vary | ~1,000 QAR (for General Physician/Dentist permanent license) |
| Duration | Granted relatively quickly after employer’s request | ~15 working days after all documents submitted and requirements met |
| Validity | 6 months (non-renewable) | 2 years in private/semi-government sector (renewable annually up to 4 years in government sector, subject to CPD) |
| Practice Restrictions | Must practice only under the sponsoring facility | Must remain under facility sponsorship unless a change of employer is requested and approved |
Important: Permanent license holders are typically tied to the facility that sponsors them (except Qatari nationals).
If a document is not in English or Arabic, have it translated by a certified translator and submit both the original + translation.
Typically 2 years validity for a permanent license in private settings. Must fulfill Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits. Renewal must be done before license expiry to avoid breaks in practice.
Email: dhp_as@moph.gov.qa
dhpregistration@moph.gov.qa
Phone: +974 4407 0331 / +974 4409 2033 / +974 4407 0000
Address: P.O. Box: 42 or 7744, Doha, Qatar
Website: pmdc.pk
Additional contacts listed on official PMDC website
Yes, MBBS degrees from Pakistani medical colleges recognized by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) are generally accepted by the DHP. To confirm, check your college’s status directly with DHP via their website or email them at qchpregistration@moph.gov.qa. If your college isn’t recognized, you may need to provide additional documentation for evaluation.
If your college isn’t PMDC-recognized, your degree may not be automatically accepted. Contact DHP to request an individual credential evaluation. You might need to submit extra evidence, like detailed transcripts or proof of clinical training, to show your education meets Qatar’s standards.
You’ll typically need: MBBS degree certificate, Academic transcripts, Experience certificates (if applicable), PMDC medical license/registration, Good standing certificate from PMDC, Police clearance certificate, Passport copy, Recent passport-sized photograph. Documents must be in English or officially translated and notarized if in Urdu.
Follow these steps: Create an account on the Dataflow Group website. Choose "Ministry of Public Health, State of Qatar" as the verifying body. Upload clear, scanned PDFs of your documents. Pay the fee (around USD 250-300, depending on document count). Track progress on the Dataflow portal. It usually takes 2-3 weeks.
Check the Dataflow portal for updates or contact their support via their website. Common issues include unclear scans or missing attestations. Ensure all documents are legible and, if required, attested (e.g., by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOFA).
For PSV, attestation isn’t usually required unless Dataflow or DHP specifies it. However, for final registration, some documents (e.g., police clearance) may need MOFA attestation, especially for a temporary license.
Yes, most Pakistani MBBS graduates must pass the DHP MOPH Prometric exam. Exemptions might apply if you have post-graduate qualifications (e.g., FCPS, MCPS), but confirm this with DHP as it’s not guaranteed.
It’s a computer-based test with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering general medical knowledge, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology. The passing score is typically around 60%, though specifics may vary.
Go to the Prometric website. Select the DHP MOPH exam for Qatar. Create an account and book a test slot. Pay the fee (around USD 250-300). Use Prometric’s study materials to prepare. Results are available immediately or within a day.
You can retake it after a 30-day waiting period. There’s no limit on attempts, but each costs the full fee. Use your score report to identify and study weak areas.
Possible exemptions include: USMLE, PLAB, Certain post-graduate qualifications (e.g., FCPS, MCPS). Verify eligibility with DHP, as policies can change.
You’ll need: Passport copy and recent photo, MBBS degree (original or certified copy), Academic transcripts, Experience certificates (if applicable), PMDC license/registration, Last working country’s license (if applicable), Resume/CV, PSV report, Prometric score report, Good standing certificate from PMDC (valid 6 months), Police clearance (attested by MOFA if from Pakistan), CPR certificate (if required), QID certificate (if applicable), Medical fitness certificate (HIV, HCV, HBV tests, chest X-ray, valid 6 months, from an approved center like Hamad Medical Corporation).
Log in to the DHP registration portal. Fill out the online form. Upload all documents, including PSV and exam results. Pay fees (around 600 QAR for the license + 100 QAR for evaluation, ~USD 165 total). Submit and wait 2-4 weeks for approval. Track status online or email qchpregistration@moph.gov.qa.
Temporary License: Valid for 6 months, non-renewable. Issued if you’re not yet a Qatar resident. Requires home country documents (e.g., attested police clearance).
Permanent License: For residents meeting all requirements, including Qatar-based medical tests and police clearance. You can start with a temporary license and convert it later.
It typically takes 2-4 weeks after submission. Delays may happen if documents are incomplete—follow up via the portal or DHP email.
Estimated breakdown: PSV: USD 250-300. Prometric Exam: USD 250-300. License + Evaluation Fees: 600 QAR (USD 165) + 100 QAR (USD 27). Total: USD 665-795. Additional costs may include attestation, translation, or travel.
Yes: Exam rescheduling: USD 40 (5-29 days before); no refund if <5 days or no-show. Exam retakes: Full fee per attempt. Document translation/attestation: Varies by provider. Medical tests/police clearance: Depends on the issuer.
Yes, you can start PSV and take the Prometric exam (if available in Pakistan) from outside Qatar. For a permanent license, you’ll need Qatar-based documents (e.g., local police clearance), but a temporary license can use Pakistani documents.
Apply via the PMDC website or in person with proof of registration and fees. It’s valid for 6 months and must be sent to DHP or uploaded with your application.
Experience alone won’t exempt you from the Prometric exam, but it may help during credential evaluation, especially for specialist roles. Confirm with DHP.
If you have a job offer, your employer might: Guide you on documents, Submit some items via their DHP portal login, Cover costs (varies by employer). You still handle PSV and the exam yourself.
If it exceeds 2-4 weeks: Check the DHP portal. Ensure all documents are complete. Email qchpregistration@moph.gov.qa. If employed, ask your HR to assist.
There’s no official fast-track, but submitting perfect documents and scheduling the exam early can speed things up.