MOH internship

Overview

Congratulations on graduating! This guide walks you through every step from receiving your university degree to starting your internship year with KIMS. It covers Kuwaiti and international graduates.

Documents you will need

Prepare these before you start. Keep a folder with originals and plenty of extra copies.

• 20 copies personal photo — 4×6, blue background
• 5 copies each: Civil ID, birth certificate, citizenship
• 5 stapled sets: degree, transcript, equivalency (if applicable), salary transfer letter from bank addressed to MOH
• 1 copy BLS certificate
• If married: spouse’s Civil ID, children’s Civil IDs & birth certificates, شهادة من الهيئة العامة للمعلومات المدنية (marriage continuity certificate)

Step 1 — Degree & equivalency

• Receive your university degree
• If you graduated abroad, obtain your equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE):
  • Location: Al-Sanabel Complex, Sharq (opposite Amiri Hospital), 5th floor M3
  • Submit documents online; equivalency typically arrives within one week

Step 2 — Civil Service Commission

Request the employment nomination letter (كتاب الترشيح) to work at MOH.

• Visit in person or apply online via the Civil Service Commission website
• Bring: copy of your degree, transcript, and Civil ID (original may be requested)
• Working hours: until 1:30 pm — try to go before noon

Step 3 — Ministry of Justice

Obtain proof of no property ownership (ورقة إثبات عدم وجود عقار).

• Location: Government Complex, 2nd floor — Ministry of Justice, Real Estate Department
• Fee: 1 KWD (KNET)
• If married, request one for your spouse as well

Step 4 — MOH file opening

Submit your nomination letter to the HR Department — Kuwaiti Appointments.

• Required documents: degree, Civil ID, birth certificate, nationality, salary transfer letter copies, 7 personal photos
• If married: marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, marriage continuity certificate

You will receive referral letters to:

• General Medical Council (medical exams)
• Criminal Evidence Department (police clearance)

Step 5 — Medical exams & certifications

General Medical Council — Sabah Health Area

• Book online or through the Sahel App
• Bring: MOH referral, HBV immunization proof, appointment confirmation, Civil ID, 3 photos
• Tests: blood sample (3–5 days), urine sample (1 day), chest X-ray (1 day)

Other requirements

• Criminal Evidence Department: police clearance + fingerprinting
• BLS certificate: must be completed and valid before starting work

Step 6 — Medical licence

After receiving all results

• Submit your Fit for Work certificate and police clearance to MOH
• You will receive a Medical Licensing Letter

Kuwait Medical Association (KMA) — Jabriya

• Membership fees: 36 KWD (mandatory) + 20 KWD deducted yearly
• Bring: licensing letter, Civil ID, citizenship, equivalency, transcript, degree, MOH referral, 1 photo
• You can also make your doctor’s stamp here (4.5 KWD — provide full name & Civil ID in Arabic and English)

Online Medical Licence — medlic.moh.gov.kw

• Create an account → Full Time Service → Request a New Medical License
• Upload (PDF/JPEG): Civil ID & citizenship, KMA receipt, 4×6 blue-background photo, salary transfer letter, nomination letter (رسالة الترشيح)
• SMS confirmation once registered; pay 20 KWD (KNET) the next day
• Processing time: approximately 1 week

Step 7 — Appointment decision

• Return to MOH and submit: medical council clearance, online licence copy, KMA licence copy, Ministry of Justice certificate copy
• You will be directed to قسم العلاوات
• After review, wait for a call — قرار التعيين is usually issued within 1–2 weeks
• Visit KIMS to set your start date and hospital (first come, first served)

Step 8 — KIMS registration

• At KIMS: choose your hospital (first come, first served), arrange your rotation schedule
• Submit: passport copy, Civil ID copy, 7 photos (4×6), appointment decision
• You will receive مباشرة العمل — bring this on your first workday to:
  • سكرتارية قسم التخصص (Department Secretary)
  • مدير المستشفى (Hospital Director)
  • المنطقة الصحية (Health Region Administration)
• Keep extra copies in your car — you will need it at the start of each rotation

Social allowance

Optional but worth pursuing — 200 KWD/month (single) or 350 KWD/month (married).

• Collect your equivalency from MOHE (ask for 2 extra copies — 1.5 KWD each, KNET only)
• Visit the الهيكلة والمالية desk and obtain براءة الذمة
• Email documents to irdata@mohe.edu.kw as instructed
• Apply via manpower.gov.kw: register as new user, upload Civil ID, follow the steps
• If your status shows لم يتم البت, request an appointment at the main building to change status to approved

Tips for a smoother process

• Expect variations — steps can change month to month; ask around and adjust
• Keep a folder with all documents and extra copies (Civil ID, passport, citizenship, birth certificate, transcripts in Arabic and English, diploma, bank letters, many photos)
• Document everything: photograph every paper you receive — some are irreplaceable
• Save contact numbers of MOH, KIMS, and hospital health area staff for follow-ups
• Be patient: this is a long process, and your visits to MOH won’t end here
• Make sure your end-of-rotation evaluation is signed by the Head of Department before taking it back to KIMS

Before your first on-call shift, MOC+ Volume 1: Acute Infections covers the calls that come up most often on the wards.