Hi, I am a Permanent Resident in Canada (Manitoba). I graduated Medicine in 2019 and finished one year internship last June 2020 in the Philippines. I would like to inquire about how IMG’s be able to practice medicine in Canada. Do you have a step by step guide for me to follow or how to process requirements to be able to practice medicine in Canada? Thank you very much in advance.
IMG Canada PR
- Thread starter Roanne Rae
- Start date
As you will soon find out getting licensed can be very challenging and many never get licensed. You have to start with passing MCCQE and then find a residency spot that is leftover after Canadian students have matched. There are only a limited amount of spots left. There are a few provinces (Believe only BC and SK) that have special programs that for GPs who are willing to go to underserviced areas. These are small programs but this is on the job training versus residency. You need to get selected.
Thank you, I appreciate it. I see, it must be so hard to get a slot because they put priority on Canadian graduates, what do you suggest to be the best option to pursue for IMG’s to be able to practice medicine or atleast somehow in line with medicine? Physician asssistant perhaps or anything better? Thank you.
Canadian students pick first. Canadians who studied abroad and other IMG compete for whatever spots remain after the Canadian student match. The demand for the spots is much higher than the spots left. You have to go into the process knowing you may not get a spot or it could take a few years. For some specialities it would not be advisable because there are rarely any leftover residencies in certain specialities like dermatology, radiology, plastic surgery, opthamology, etc. You can look up what residencies were left after the Canadian medical students match for the past few years. Physician assistants are not used in most areas of the country. I believe Manitoba is the only province who has had PAs for quite some time. There is a small program in Ontario that started around 5-10 years ago. I know Manitoba uses PAs so that more rural or underserviced locations have access to medical care. Would imagine the program is very competitive to get into and you would have to decide whether you want to return to school.
Thank you. What does most IMG doctors do if they won’t be selected for residency? Is it possible to practice as a general practitioner at least? Thank you.
No you need to pass MCCQE and either do a residency or get selected for the underserviced area programs to be a GP. Most IMGs who don’t get selected, don’t have good prospects of being selected or don’t want to go through the time and expense of retraining (could be 8+ years for some people) normally go back to school to study something else. If they have other skills already like advanced research skills that may help getting a job. Canada is one of the worst countries to move to for IMGs. Unfortunately many don’t seem to research before coming to Canada.
Thank you so much. That’s sad. But it’s possible, right? I see there are a lot of IMG’s coming to Canada and competitions are high. What seems to be the problem here, is it the difficult exams, or IMG’s are not just really their priority in selection? What do most IMG’s recommend to do or fallback perhaps, if they don’t get selected to a residency or GP?
It is possible but not guaranteed. There are limited residency left for IMGs that has only gotten worse as enrolment in Canadian schools has increased. The special retraining program just for GPs still requires skills examination and supervision by another doctor and you need to commit to a certain underserviced area for a period of time. Not sure if you qualify for these programs since you haven’t practiced on your own yet. Is there another step after internship in your country or are you a full GP in the Philippines. The exams are difficult and expensive but the major issue is the lack of residency spaces. There are many Canadian medical students who graduate as specialist and can’t find a job. Wait times are due to a budget issue. There isn’t the money to hire and train all the IMGs. There are also Canadian med graduates who can’t find jobs so we really don’t need all the IMGs. I have heard that some go do a residency in the US if they can. I have attached all the programs available by province.
Know some IMGs, have gone back to school and done nursing or some other health technician program. Some do a masters, some go into business, some work in research depending on their experience, etc.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nearly-one-in-five-new-specialist-doctors-cant-find-a-job-after/
https://cmelearning.usask.ca/img/canadian-programs.php#NewfoundlandandLabrador
This is very helpful. Thank you very much for the info and links.
Hi, how come some IMG’s do their residency in the US. Does MCCQE equivalent to USMLE or does passing the MCCQE credited in the US? Or do they have to start there in the US all over again? Thank you..
They go to the US because they can’t secure a residency in Canada. If you do your residency in the US you likely won’t meet your RO. You also might not be able to find a job in Canada. Believe USMLE will be credited in Canada but not sure if it is the same way in the US or whether you’ll need to do the USMLE too.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nearly-one-in-five-new-specialist-doctors-cant-find-a-job-after/
When did you get your PR? Are you compliant with your RO?
People don’t do their research and just assume because they read about wait lists that becoming a doctor in Canada will be easy.
Given that you are a fresh grad, I really think that you have a good chance and matching to Family Medicine Residency. This can be done by applying to the CARMS. The first step is to pass MCCQE1 with above average score. Also, try to obtain Canadian experience as much as you can. Think of the CARMS as Job application, you need to be competitive in all aspects to stand out from the rest of the Candidates.
To apply for Ready-to-practice program, you need at least 2 years experience of independent practice after internship ( some provinces consider an internship as 1 though)
Hope this helps
To apply for Ready-to-practice program, you need at least 2 years experience of independent practice after internship ( some provinces consider an internship as 1 though)
Hope this helps
Think you should present a realistic picture. Assume they don't speak French, don't qualify for ready to practice options so certainly should try but should have a plan B because the odds are still not in their favour or it could take numerous years to secure a residency spot. If they live in a rural setting that may help.Given that you are a fresh grad, I really think that you have a good chance and matching to Family Medicine Residency. This can be done by applying to the CARMS. The first step is to pass MCCQE1 with above average score. Also, try to obtain Canadian experience as much as you can. Think of the CARMS as Job application, you need to be competitive in all aspects to stand out from the rest of the Candidates.
To apply for Ready-to-practice program, you need at least 2 years experience of independent practice after internship ( some provinces consider an internship as 1 though)
Hope this helps