How NRIs In The USA Can Apply & Sit For NEET 2026

Many NRI students living in the USA want to appear for the NEET medical exam, but they are often confused about how NRIs in the U.S. can sit for NEET. In this guide, we will explain everything clearly and help you understand the complete process.

Can NRIs in the USA Sit for the NEET Exam?

Yes, NRIs living in the USA can sit for the NEET exam. NRI, OCI, PIO, and even US passport holders can apply if they complete 12 years of schooling with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and register on the NTA website.

There is no NEET exam centre in the USA, so US-based students must choose a centre in India or in another country where centres are available, like UAE or Qatar.

This means US-based NRIs need to plan their travel in advance to reach the chosen centre on the exam day.

NEET Exam Centres for NRI Students (USA & International Options)

Here is the list of countries where NEET exam centres are available, as mentioned below:

There is no NEET exam centre in the USA, so students living in America cannot give the exam there. They must choose an exam centre in India or in another country where NEET is conducted. Popular options for US NRIs include UAE, Qatar, Singapore, and Kuwait. 

Is the US Curriculum Accepted for NEET? (AP, IB, Honors, State Boards)

Yes, the US curriculum (American High School Diploma) is accepted for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in India. Including AP, IB, Honors, and State Boards, are accepted for NEET, provided candidates meet specific subject and equivalency requirements.

1. AP Courses: Students who take AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics can appear for NEET. The AIU will check if their AP coursework matches Indian Class 12 standards.
2. IB Diploma: The IB Diploma is accepted for NEET, but students must study Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with enough depth, preferably at Higher Level (HL).
3. Honors/State Boards: Students from US State Boards or Honors Programs are also eligible if their high school diploma is from an accredited school. The AIU will verify if their subjects and credits match Indian Class 12 requirements.

NEET Eligibility Criteria for NRI Students in the USA (2026)

First, when any NRI student becomes interested in appearing for NEET, the most important thing they should understand is the NEET eligibility criteria for NRI students. The complete details are explained below.

Academic Requirements (PCB): To sit for NEET, students must complete 12 years of schooling and study Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biotechnology, and English in high school. These subjects must be shown clearly in their transcripts.

Age Criteria: A student must be 17 years old on or before December 31, 2026, to be eligible for NEET. There is no maximum age limit, so older students can also apply.

Nationality & Citizenship: Students who are NRI, OCI, PIO, or Foreign Nationals can all take the NEET exam. NEET does not restrict students based on nationality as long as they meet the academic rules.

Passport & Identity: A valid passport or OCI/PIO card is required during NEET registration because it is used to confirm the student’s identity, nationality, and NRI status.

AIU Equivalence for US Boards: Students studying under AP, IB, State Board, Honors, or Homeschooling in the USA may need an AIU Equivalence Certificate if their subjects or credits do not fully match Indian Class 12 standards. 

This certificate helps prove that the student’s American high school education is equal to Class 12 in India, which is required for NEET eligibility.

How NRIs in the USA Can Register for NEET (Step-by-Step Guide)

Registering for NEET is a simple online process, but NRI students in the USA must follow the dates and steps carefully. Here, we first explain all the important dates and then show how to apply with a step-by-step process.

Registration Timeline & Important Dates

The NEET 2026 admission process runs from February to November, and US-based NRI students should follow these NEET important dates carefully for registration, admit card download, travel planning, and the exam. Here is a quick timeline of all the main events for NEET 2026.

Step-by-Step NEET Registration Process

This section gives a simple step-by-step guide for US-based NRIs to complete the NEET registration process correctly, from form filling to uploading documents and submitting the application.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official NEET (NTA) website when the application form starts in February 2026.
   
2. Register as a New Candidate: Click on “New Registration” and enter your name, email ID, mobile number, and password. Note down your application number.
   
3. Fill Personal Details: Enter your personal information like date of birth, nationality (NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign), passport number, and address (USA and India, if any).
   
4. Enter Education Details: Fill in your Class 10 and Class 12 details, such as board (AP/IB/State Board), school name, passing year, and subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English).
   
5. Choose Exam Center: Select your preferred exam city — either in India or in an international center like UAE, Qatar, Singapore, or Kuwait.
   
6. Upload Documents: Upload your photo, signature, and other required documents (passport/OCI card, etc.) in the correct size and format given on the website.
   
7. Pay the Application Fee: Pay the NEET fee online using a debit/credit card, net banking, or other allowed methods. NRI/foreign candidates have a higher fee than Indian residents.
   
8. Submit and Download Confirmation Page: After payment, submit the form and download the confirmation page. Save it as a PDF and keep a printout for future use.
   
9. Check Updates Regularly: Keep checking the NTA website and your email for any updates about exam city, admit card, or instructions.
   

Required Documents for NRIs Applying to NEET from the USA

NRI students applying for NEET from the USA must submit certain NEET documents required for NRI students to confirm their identity, academic eligibility, and NRI status. 

These documents are needed during the online application and later in counselling. Keeping them ready in advance helps avoid mistakes. Below is the complete list.

Is NEET Syllabus Same for Indian and NRIs?

Yes, the NEET syllabus is the same for Indian students and NRI students. The exam follows one common syllabus for everyone, and it is decided by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This means NRIs, OCI students, and foreign nationals all study the same Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT-based topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Physics

Class 11 Units: Physical World & Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work-Energy-Power, Motion of System of Particles & Rigid Body, Gravitation, Properties of Bulk Matter, Thermodynamics, Oscillations & Waves

Class 12 Units: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current, Electromagnetic Induction & AC, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Dual Nature of Radiation, Atoms & Nuclei, Semiconductor Electronics

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Chemistry

Class 11 Units: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, Classification of Elements, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Organic Chemistry Basics, Hydrocarbons, Environmental Chemistry

Class 12 Units: Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, General Principles & Processes of Isolation, p-Block Elements, d-Block & f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Haloalkanes & Haloarenes, Alcohols-Phenols-Ethers, Aldehydes–Ketones–Carboxylic Acids, Organic Nitrogen Compounds, Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life

Read More

Biology

Class 11 Units: Diversity in Living World, Structural Organisation in Plants & Animals, Cell Structure & Function, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology

Class 12 Units: Reproduction, Genetics & Evolution, Biology in Human Welfare, Biotechnology, Ecology

Read More

NEET Exam Pattern

The NEET exam is a 3-hour offline test with 180 MCQs from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. It follows a +4 and –1 marking scheme. Below is the quick exam pattern.

NEET Fee Structure for NRI Applicants (2026)

The NEET fee for NRI students in the USA depends on the exam centre they select. If they choose an exam city in India, they pay the same fee as Indian students. 

If they choose an international centre like UAE, Qatar, or Singapore, the fee is higher under the “Outside India” category. Here is the simple breakdown of the NEET 2026 fee for NRIs.

Important Points for NRI Students (USA)

• If you choose India as your exam centre, you pay the same fee as Indian students.
• If you choose an international exam centre, you must pay the higher “Outside India” fee.
• Payment must be done online using allowed banking methods (international cards also work).
• The fee is non-refundable, so all details must be filled correctly during registration.
• The official fee will be confirmed when the NEET 2026 Information Bulletin is released.

NRI Quota for MBBS After NEET

The NRI Quota is a special admission category for students living outside India, including NRIs in the USA, who want to study MBBS in India. After qualifying NEET, NRI, OCI, PIO, and NRI-sponsored students can apply for these seats during counselling. These seats have lower competition, and many private, deemed, and some government colleges offer NRI quota seats. Fees are higher, but the admission process becomes easier for students coming from abroad.

Fees for NRI Quota Seats

NRI quota seats have higher fees compared to regular Indian seats because they are meant for students living abroad. The fee varies widely depending on the type of college-government, private, or deemed university-and is usually charged in USD. Below is a simple breakdown of the Fee for NRI Quota Seats structure.

NRI quota MBBS fees usually range between USD 25,000 to USD 60,000 per year, depending on the college. Government colleges are cheaper, while private and deemed universities charge higher fees.

Best NEET Preparation Strategy for US-Based NRI Students

Preparing for NEET while studying in the USA comes with its own challenges-such as curriculum differences, time-zone issues, and limited competition compared to India. To help you manage this effectively, the timeline below shows how US-based NRI students should plan their NEET preparation from Grade 10 to the final 2 weeks before the exam. This roadmap ensures proper syllabus coverage, conceptual clarity, and exam-style practice.

Easy Breakdown of the Full Preparation Strategy

If you are in Grade 10, this is the right time to start learning about NEET. Beginning early helps you transition smoothly into the NEET syllabus once Grade 11 starts. Many US-based NRIs join the TestprepKart NEET Foundation Program in Grade 10 to bridge the US–India curriculum gap.

18–24 Months Before NEET

This is the ideal time to start your preparation. Build a strong base in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as per the NEET syllabus. If you are still in a US high school, choose AP/IB/Honors science courses to stay aligned with NEET. TestprepKart also provides structured NEET preparation support for early starters.

12–18 Months Before NEET

Begin full syllabus coverage. Take topic-wise tests to identify weak areas and start integrating Physics, Chemistry, and Biology preparation together.

6–12 Months Before NEET

At this stage, full-length mock tests become very important. Practice previous NEET papers, timed exercises, and test-series papers. This improves your accuracy and exam temperament. A lot of free NEET material is available on TestprepKart’s NEET platform.

3–6 Months Before NEET

Increase revision intensity. Solve frequent mock tests and analyze them. Keep a log of your mistakes and work on improving your weak topics.

1 Month Before the Exam

Focus completely on revision and consolidation. Use formula sheets, notes, and light mock tests. Avoid new topics-

focus on strengthening what you already know.

Last 2 Weeks Before NEET

Do only light revision. Stay relaxed, sleep well, and double-check all exam logistics like travel bookings and required documents.

NEET Preparation Online Courses Details

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Top 5 FAQs

1. Can NRI students living in the USA apply for the NEET exam?

Yes. NRI students, OCI/PIO holders, and foreign nationals living in the USA can apply for NEET as long as they have completed 12 years of schooling with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English. Registration must be done online on the NTA website.

2. Is the US curriculum (AP, IB, Honors, State Boards) accepted for NEET?

Yes. AP, IB, Honors, and US State Board curriculums are accepted, but some students may need an AIU Equivalence Certificate to prove that their subjects match the Indian Class 12 PCB requirements.

3. Is there a NEET exam centre in the USA?

No. NEET is not conducted in the USA. NRI students must choose a center in India or an international center like UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Kuwait, or Saudi Arabia.

4. What documents do NRI students in the USA need for NEET registration?

Key documents include a valid passport, OCI/PIO card (if applicable), Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, NRI status proof, US address proof, recent photograph, signature, and AIU Equivalence Certificate (if required).

5. Do NRI students have a separate quota for MBBS in India?

Yes. After clearing NEET, NRIs can apply for NRI Quota seats in government, private, and deemed universities. Fees range between USD 25,000 to USD 60,000 per year, depending on the college.