The overall number of physicians now seeking overseas opportunities has been on the rise, and there are many countries that always have an increasing demand for medical personnel. The reasons for physicians looking for jobs in foreign countries could be many, but primarily they are the ones looking for the opportunity to practice medicine in a culture outside of their own so that they can gain additional and unique experiences. Those who seek opportunities outside the country are mainly driven by an inner need to take on fresh challenges and are not basically afraid of exposing themselves and their family members to alien surroundings. Of course, it stands to reason that pay packages are another motivation for many physicians to go abroad.

However, for any physician who wants to practice in another country, there are several ground rules that must be observed. Considering the nature of the job, quality assurance is the foremost factor that comes into existence, and any agency that undertakes the recruitment process has to first guarantee that all the credentials have been checked and references have been consulted to assure that the applicant has an absolutely clean record.

Each country has its own set of specifications that must be observed for migration and practice. These requirements are directly related to the health policies of that country. Saudi Arabia, for example, has an extensive, modern, national, health care delivery system providing both primary and acute care to its people. Most physicians are educated in the west and the care is comparable to any modern country. The latest technologies are used, including MRI and even laser surgery. Primary care is given through outpatient clinics and the nursing management team that are usually made up of western professionals.