Immigration Categories

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) enter Canada in several different ways:
               Typical Immigration Categories
               Arranged Employment Immigration
               Visa Trainee

The following information is compiled from: Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials and Medical Council of Canada

Standard Immigration Categories
(Skilled Worker, Family Class, Refugee)

IMGs entering Canada as an "immigrant" or a "refugee", all have the same opportunity to pursue Canadian medical licensure. Non-recruited physicians, who immigrate to Canada, must understand that they may not be able to practice medicine in Canada. Qualifying to immigrate does NOT qualify anyone to practice medicine in Canada or guarantee employment as a medical practitioner. These are two separate processes.

IMGs applying for Canadian permanent resident status do not need to provide evidence of eligibility for Canadian medical licensure as a condition of admission to Canada. Once admitted to Canada, IMGs intending to practice medicine must have their credentials assessed and possibly enter some level of postgraduate training. This process varies from province to province. Visit “Medical Licensure by Province” for further information.

To find out more about immigrating to Canada visit the folowing links:

CIC Immigration Programs

Immigrating to Canada

Canada's Refugee Programs

Within this web site, the “Settlement” section provides further general immigration information.

Under the Canada-Québec Accord on Immigration, Québec is able to establish its own immigration requirements and select immigrants who will adapt well to living in Québec. To come to Québec as a Skilled Worker, you must first apply to the Québec Government for a Certificat de selection du Québec. Visit the Québec Immigration web site for more information. Also, within this web site, visit “Québec Provincial Settlement Highlights”.

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Arranged Employment Immigration
Some physicians are able to come to Canada with pre-arranged employment. This requires an offer from a sponsor, such as a hospital or Regional Health Board, to begin the process of immigrating to Canada. They must also obtain a license.

Opportunities for pre-arranged employment are available only in certain circumstances. The sponsors must be able to demonstrate that they have attempted to fill the medical job vacancy with a Canadian and were unsuccessful. However, because of the complex Canadian/Provincial/Territorial medical licensure process, it may be difficult to obtain a job offer unless you can first demonstrate that you are eligible for the necessary immigration papers, accreditation, qualification and certification. This process varies from province to province. Visit “Medical Licensure by Province/Territory” for further information.

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Visa Trainee
Some IMGs who are not Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents come to Canada to pursue postgraduate medical training (residency training) or fellowship training. The application process to secure a training position may differ between medical schools. In all cases, IMGs must be eligible for a work permit, issued by the federal government, to pursue training with a Canadian university.