Since the COVID-19 pandemic, medical professionals are in high demand to assist with the increased number of patients, shortage of staff and overall demand for skilled physicians. In Canada, according to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) there are two types of physicians:
Medical Council of Canada
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) assesses the skills of physicians however it does not provide licenses to physicians seeking to practice. Rather, each province or territory in Canada has their own Medical Regulatory Authorities who are responsible for providing licenses to practicing physicians.
How to Practice as a Physician in Canada
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who have obtained their medical qualification overseas and are seeking to practice in Canada should follow the process below prior to arriving in Canada:
After arriving in Canada, IMGs should follow the process below:
Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada
A Licentiate of the MCC (‘LMCC’) is a qualification granted to medical graduates who have demonstrated that they have completed the following:
- Minimum of 12 months of postgraduate clinical medical training; AND
- The Qualifying Examination prior to 1 January 1992; OR
- Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I and Part II; OR
- Medical Council of Canada Part I and during the years of 2013 to 2015, the MCC/College of Family Physicians of Canada harmonized examination
Cancellation of Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II
As of June 29, 2021, the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II was cancelled. Therefore, the criteria to qualify for the Licentiate now includes those who are:
- Graduates from:
- A medical school accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools; or
- Medical school listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools including a sponsor note regarding its acceptance in Canada
- United States School of Osteopathic Medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association
- Awarded a pass on the Medical Council of Canada Qualification Examination Part I
- Successfully completed the following and deemed acceptable:
- Minimum 12 months clinical postgraduate medical training
- Minimum 12 months osteopathic postgraduate clinical training in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
- Have the required medical credentials and they meet the verification requirements
- Paid the LMCC application fee to the MCC and do not have any outstanding payments
Important
The LMCC is not a license to practice medicine in Canada. Once you receive the LMCC, you must apply independently to the Medical Regulatory Authority of the province or territory you wish to practice in.
Canadian Standard
The Canadian Standard determines the eligibility requirements to obtain full licensure to practice medicine in each Canadian province or territory. Physicians seeking to become licensed to practice medicine may obtain full licensure if they meet the following requirements:
Medical Credentials
The Medical Council of Canada only accepts the following international credentials as evidence of appropriate medical training:
- Medical degree or diploma
- Medical degree transcript
- Internship
- Postgraduate training
- Specialty certificate
- Medical license or registration
Visa Options for Physicians
Express Entry
Canada Express Entry is a system that comprises three immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class require skilled applicants to have Skill Level 0, A or B experience to be eligible. Specialist Physicians and General Practitioners and Family Physicians are assessed at Skill Level A in accordance with the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Skill Level A indicates that the occupation usually requires university education.
Express Entry is a points-based immigration system that seeks to applicants to apply for permanent residency if they are rank highly and high skilled. To estimate your points for this immigration program, click here.
Provincial Nominee Program
Provincial Nominee Program is a migration pathway that provides individuals with the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in Canada. The Program is specific to each province or territory and is one of the most common pathways with 250,000 migrants expected between 2021 to 2023.
There are three provinces or territories that have immigration programs specific to Physicians:
Saskatchewan
Under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), a specific sub-category for Physicians provides an opportunity for skilled applicants to apply for permanent residency. To be eligible Physicians must have the following:
- Valid work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Practiced as a Physician in Saskatchewan for at least 6 months
- Have a permanent, full time job offer issued by a provincial health authority or health institution and evidence of that offer
- Valid SINP Job Approval Letter
The SINP may also request a letter from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan to determine your professional status and a letter from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to determine your specialty.
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Physician Stream seeks to fulfill public health needs by recruiting Physicians to work at the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Izaak Walton Killam (‘IWK’) Health Centre. To be eligible, Physicians must meet the following criteria:
- Must be classified as a General Practitioner and Family Physician (NOC 3122) or a Specialist Physician (NOC 3111)
- Must have a signed and approved opportunity with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (‘NSHA’) or the IWK Health Centre
- Must be signed and dated by a person authorized to hire Physicians at NSHA or IWK Health Centre
- Must be signed and dated by the applicant
- Indicate eligibility for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia
- Indicate the applicant is eligible to apply for privileges and credentials with NSHA and IWK Health Centre
British Colombia
British Colombia has two immigration programs available to Physicians: Skills Immigration (SI) – Healthcare Professional and Express Entry British Colombia (EEBC) – Healthcare Professional.
Skills Immigration – Healthcare Professional
To be eligible for this program, Physicians must meet the following criteria:
- Have a job offer from a public health authority as a Physician, Specialist, Registered Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Nurse Practitioner or Allied Health Professional
- If you are a Midwife you require a Letter of confirmation from an established practice group in British Colombia
- Qualify to work in your occupation in British Colombia
- At least 2 years of directly related work experience
- Have legal immigration status in Canada
- If the occupation is a NOC Skill Level B, you must meet minimum language requirements
- Wage offer in line with British Colombia wage rates for occupation
Express Entry British Colombia – Healthcare Professional
This visa program connects British Colombia and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system to allow more Physicians to apply for permanent residency efficiently. To be eligible for this program, Physicians must meet the following criteria:
- Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code from the IRCC Express Entry System
- Have a job offer from a public health authority as a Physician, Specialist, Registered Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Nurse Practitioner or Allied Health Professional
- If you are a Midwife, you require a Letter of confirmation from an established practice group in British Colombia
- Qualify to work in your occupation in British Colombia
- At least 2 years of directly related work experience
- Demonstrate you can support yourself and any dependents
- Have legal immigration status in Canada
- Meet minimum language requirements
- Wage offers in line with British Colombia wage rates for occupation
Adriana Chipman
Juris Doctor (University of Melbourne)
Adriana is one of our immigration agent assistants. She graduated from the Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne at the end of 2020. She is currently completing her Graduate Diploma in Practical Legal Training at Leo Cussen Centre for Law in Melbourne, Victoria.
With her experience in volunteering for not-for-profit organisations in addition to conducting legal research, drafting documents, and engaging with clients
Adriana works to assist our team in any and all administration matters relating to immigration.
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