Steps for US physician to move to Canada
- Thread starter usapguy
- Start date
Have you already completed the PR application process? If not, the process for applying for PR is the same for doctors as it is for other skilled professions. I would recommend that you start by researching the Express Entry immigration program. You'll need to get your education assessed before you can apply and take a language test as well before you can enter the application pool. Express Entry is a points-based program where those with the most points are selected out of the pool. You need to have 440+ points to be selected out of the pool.
In terms of being licensed to work as a doctor in Canada, it is quite an involved process which typically takes a few years to complete. Recommend you start by reading the link below:
https://physiciansapply.ca/how-to-become-a-practising-physician-in-canada/
Hi fellow Canadian visa seekers,
I’m a US citizen and US trained physician (primary care) looking to move to Canada with about 18 month time frame. Only thing is I’m looking to work part time as an internist. I have a family member who moved to Canada already and has PR. Does this help?
Usapguy- how is the process going? Hopefully you’ve finished by now.
Scylla - thanks for the advice.
Also, hoping to find forum of any other US physicians moving to Canada. Suggestions welcome.
Cheers.
I’m a US citizen and US trained physician (primary care) looking to move to Canada with about 18 month time frame. Only thing is I’m looking to work part time as an internist. I have a family member who moved to Canada already and has PR. Does this help?
Usapguy- how is the process going? Hopefully you’ve finished by now.
Scylla - thanks for the advice.
Also, hoping to find forum of any other US physicians moving to Canada. Suggestions welcome.
Cheers.
The 67 points is only the first step. You then need to calculate your CRS points. If you are under 32, you have a very strong chance of getting through. The older you are, the more points you’ll lose.
Try a CRS calculator and see how many points you get. You currently need 475+ points to be reasonably certain.
I’m in a similar situation and I was wondering what your thoughts are in regards to points. I’m currently finishing up residency in the US and I’ll be 32 when it’s completed. My wife is a citizen through her mom but has only lived in the US. Her mom moved here when she was a teen. We’d like to move to Canada and I can practice medicine there. Is it best to go through this process or for her to sponsor me? We also have a child who is not a citizen.
If your wife is a Canadian citizen, she can sponsor you and your child. However, you would have to show that you really want to move to Canada - since she's only ever lived in the US, she has no ties to Canada.
It's not too hard to prove intent to move. If you are serious about moving, you would in any case be making trips to Canada to check out cities to live in, schools, jobs and so on. When she sponsors you, you would submit details of this research so it's reasonably obvious that you aren't just trying to get PR for the sake of it.
Alternatively, you can go through Express Entry. Pro: You don't need to prove intent or anything else, you just need to have enough points to be invited. Con: You need to have enough points to be invited.
Since your wife is a citizen, you do have one advantage - there are no time limits. She will always be a Canadian citizen (unless she revokes it herself), and therefore can sponsor you at any time, even when you're both 65. This is assuming that immigration rules don't change, of course, but it's hard to see a future where the Canadian government rules against actual citizens. However- she can only sponsor her kids till they are 22. After that (or if they get married before 22), she can't sponsor them anymore, so there's that to keep in mind.
I'm not a doctor so I can't speak to how easy/difficult it is to transfer your medical degrees and be able to practice here. I have heard (anecdotally), that it's easier for people who studied medicine in the US, but not sure how it works.
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If you're 470+ that's a solid score and you should definitely enter the pool. You don't need a lawyer. It's very easy if you qualify, and it only takes a few months to get PR.
Lawyers may be needed if your case is complicated (prior criminal record, medical issues, etc), but if you don't have anything like that you don't need a lawyer.
Thanks for clarifying on what a good score is. Due to age, my score is just over 450. Think was overly optimistic when I said that’s close to 475. I could brush up on my French but doubt that would increase the score.
Ultimately, I’m looking to do a program for Chinese medicine while practicing part time. Plan is to transition to combo of both.
If I apply and don’t get accepted, are there other routes to get a visa to work part time as a physician? Last resort would be getting a student visa but less ideal as wouldn’t be able to work as a medical doctor on that visa obviously.
At this point, the longer I wait the lower the score goes so think will just have to go for it. If I’m lucky and get accepted, it looks like I have a year from date of acceptance to move to Canada, correct?
Ultimately, I’m looking to do a program for Chinese medicine while practicing part time. Plan is to transition to combo of both.
If I apply and don’t get accepted, are there other routes to get a visa to work part time as a physician? Last resort would be getting a student visa but less ideal as wouldn’t be able to work as a medical doctor on that visa obviously.
At this point, the longer I wait the lower the score goes so think will just have to go for it. If I’m lucky and get accepted, it looks like I have a year from date of acceptance to move to Canada, correct?
Would also warn physicians that many specialists have difficulty finding employment even after graduating from a Canadian school. There are too many of some specialties and many doctors not retiring which leads to no open positions. If you are are GP you have many more options although the larger cities are always the places with the least need. Many specialists have to move to the US (or other country) to secure full-time positions. If you are able to get a job many often end up doing locums or mat leave coverage at least initially. Would not move until securing a position. Wait times don’t mean that provinces are actually hiring.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nearly-one-in-five-new-specialist-doctors-cant-find-a-job-after/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/one-in-five-newly-certified-medical-specialists-unemployed-in-2017-study-shows-1.4403295
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nearly-one-in-five-new-specialist-doctors-cant-find-a-job-after/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/one-in-five-newly-certified-medical-specialists-unemployed-in-2017-study-shows-1.4403295
Would also add that Chinese medicine is not an easy program where you may be able to work part-time as an internist. You would first have to find a part-time position near the school. Part-time positions are often at more rural hospitals where they may have a doctor come in a day or two times a week. You could try and get a work permit from an employer. Might be able to find a community that is desperate for a doctor likely in a more rural but you can’t study on a work permit.
Will really depend on your specialty. Specialist can really struggle to find jobs. GPS less especially if you are willing to live where there is demand and a job opening.