Canada is one of the most popular destinations for doctors who want to work and live in a developed country with a high quality of life, a multicultural society, and a universal health care system. However, migrating to Canada as a doctor is not an easy process. It requires a lot of preparation, documentation, and certification to meet the standards and regulations of the Canadian medical profession.
In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps and requirements to immigrate to Canada as a doctor and the benefits of working as a physician in Canada.
Step 1: Have an approved medical degree from a recognized institution
The first step to migrating to Canada as a doctor is to have a medical degree from a university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools or the International Medical Education Directory. This will ensure that your education is recognized and comparable to the Canadian standards.
If you have a medical degree from Nigeria or another country that is not listed in these directories, you will need to apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an approved organization, such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). An ECA will verify that your degree is equivalent to a Canadian one and help you qualify for immigration programs.
Step 2: Obtain a license to practice medicine in Canada
The second step to migrating to Canada as a doctor is to obtain a license to practice medicine in the province or territory where you want to work. Each province and territory has its own regulatory body that oversees the licensing and registration of physicians. You will need to contact the relevant authority and follow their specific procedures and requirements.
Generally, you will need to:
- Pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I and Part II, which assess your knowledge, skills, and clinical competence.
- Complete a postgraduate residency program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), depending on your specialty. The length and availability of residency programs vary by province and territory, and you will need to apply through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).
- Obtain a certificate of registration from the RCPSC or the CFPC, which confirms that you have met the training and examination standards for your specialty.
- Apply for a license from the provincial or territorial medical regulatory authority, which may require language proficiency, criminal record checks, references, etc.
Step 3: Choose an immigration program that suits your profile and goals
The third step to migrating to Canada as a doctor is to choose an immigration program that suits your profile and goals. There are several options available for doctors who want to immigrate to Canada, such as:
- Express Entry: This is the main system for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada. It manages three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). You will need to create an online profile and submit your information on your education, work experience, language ability, age, etc. You will then receive a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and enter a pool of candidates. Every few weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. A valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination can increase your chances of getting an invitation.
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): This system allows each province and territory to nominate candidates who meet their specific labor market needs and economic goals. Some provinces have streams dedicated to health care professionals, such as Ontario’s Physician Stream, Manitoba’s Health Care Professional Stream, Saskatchewan’s Health Care Professional Sub-category, etc. You will need to meet the eligibility criteria of the province or territory where you want to work and apply for a nomination. If nominated, you can apply for permanent residence through IRCC.
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP): This program aims to attract skilled workers to the four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. It has three streams: the Atlantic High-Skilled Program (AHSP), the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program (AISP), and the Atlantic International Graduate Program (AIGP). You will need a job offer from an employer in one of these provinces and meet other requirements such as education, work experience, language ability, etc. You will also need to obtain an endorsement from the province where you have been offered a job.
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): This program aims to attract skilled workers to smaller communities in Canada facing labor shortages and population decline. It has 11 participating communities across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. You will need a job offer from an employer in one of these communities and meet other requirements such as education, work experience, language ability, etc. You will also need to obtain a recommendation from the community where you have been offered a job.
Step 4: Prepare and submit your application for permanent residence
The fourth and final step to migrating to Canada as a doctor is to prepare and submit your application for permanent residence. Depending on the immigration program you choose, you will need to gather and submit various documents, such as:
- Proof of identity and citizenship, such as passport, birth certificate, etc.
- Proof of education, such as degree, diploma, transcript, ECA report, etc.
- Proof of work experience, such as reference letters, contracts, pay stubs, etc.
- Proof of language ability, such as test results from IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF
- Proof of medical examination and police clearance
- Proof of funds to support yourself and your family in Canada
- Proof of job offer or provincial nomination (if applicable)
You will also need to pay the application fees and biometrics fees. You can check the processing times and status of your application online. If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable). You will then need to travel to Canada and complete the landing process.
Benefits of working as a doctor in Canada
Canada is among the best countries for doctors to work and live in. Here are some of the benefits of working as a doctor in Canada:
- High demand: Doctors are some of the most in-demand professionals in Canada, especially in rural and remote areas with shortages of healthcare workers. According to Canada’s Job Bank, doctors have very good job prospects in almost all provinces and territories for the next three years.
- High salary: Doctors are also among the highest-paid professionals in Canada, earning an average annual salary of CAD 281,000, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. However, doctor salaries vary depending on the specialty, location, experience, and type of practice.
- High satisfaction: Doctors in Canada enjoy high levels of satisfaction with their work and life. According to a survey by Medscape, 77% of Canadian doctors reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their careers, and 69% reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their personal life.
- High quality of life: Canada is known for its high quality of life, ranking among the top 10 countries in the world according to the United Nations Human Development Index. Canada offers a safe and stable environment, a multicultural and tolerant society, universal health care, strong education, and a beautiful natural landscape.
Conclusion
Migrating to Canada as a doctor is a rewarding but challenging journey. It requires a lot of preparation, documentation, and certification to meet the standards and regulations of the Canadian medical profession. It also requires choosing an immigration program that suits your profile and goals. However, once you overcome these hurdles, you will enjoy the benefits and opportunities of working as a physician in Canada. We hope this blog post has given you some helpful information and guidance on how to migrate to Canada as a doctor.
