August 22, 2021

Migrate To Canada As A Doctor: Your Mini Guide

Ever since the pandemic, the demand for doctors in Canada has increased tri-fold. In fact, it happens to be the only sector in the country’s labor market that has been witnessing a consistent addition of new jobs every day, even amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

If you are an experienced Physician who wishes to migrate to Canada, this article is written just for you. Canada takes Physicians as highly-skilled workers who qualify for many Canadian programs, including the Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program.

Keep reading this article to find out how you can climb up the ladder of your medical career by migrating to Canada as a doctor.

Can You Migrate to Canada as a Doctor?

As is evident from the introduction, doctors are in huge demand across Canada that the profession is listed on the Canadian NOC List code 3113. Qualified doctors can seek full permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Immigration Program based on provincial and federal nominations.

How to Migrate and Practice as a Doctor in Canada?

- Ensure Canada Recognizes Your Medical Degree

- Open an Account on physiciansapply.ca

- Submit Your Medical Diploma to the Medical Council of Canada (MCR) for Source Verification

- Write the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)

- Take the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination

- Take the MCCQE Part II

- Get Certified by the Medical Council of Canada

- Attend the Practice-Ready Assessment (PRA) Program

- Submit an Application to the Registrar of the Canadian Medical Regulatory Authority (MRA)

 

  • Ensure Canada Recognizes Your Medical Degree

To jumpstart your journey, start by finding your medical school in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDMS). If your medical school is listed on this website with an “A Canada Sponsor Note,” then consider this the first sign of Canada recognizing your school.

  • Open an Account on physiciansapply.ca

This is a crucial step when it comes to migrating to Canada as a doctor. All you got to do is head to the physiciansapply.ca and create an account. As an international medical graduate, you will have to use this account throughout the verification process. For instance, from medical credentials verification to registration for assessment exams and more, you will have to leverage this account. Remember that you will have to pay $290 to set up your account on this website.

  • Submit Your Medical Diploma to the Medical Council of Canada (MCR) for Source Verification

All your medical credentials will have to undergo verification. After the verification, you will request an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. During this phase, you can also register your Express Entry profile with your ECA report number. There are a few costs associated with this process. For instance, the source verification fee of $170 per medical credential, and the ECA report fee of $108.

  • Write the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)

A single-day, computer-based test, the MCCQE will assess your critical medical knowledge and clinical decision-making skills at a level expected of any medical student who completed a medical degree in Canada. The exam is organized in around 80 countries and over 500 test centers around the world. The application fee for the Part I MCCQE is $1,305.

Generally, you would have migrated to Canada by this time through Express Entry. Nevertheless, you aren’t allowed to practice as a doctor as your accreditation isn’t complete.

  • Take the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination

As an international medical graduate, you will have to take the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination if you plan to apply for a residency position in Canada. You can attend this exam in Canada. It is a single-day exam like MCCQE, except it tests your readiness to enter a Canadian residency program—knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for postgraduate training in Canada. The application fee for the NAC examination is $2,830.

  • Take the MCCQE Part II

Now, we are talking about a two-day examination that will assess your ability to put your medical knowledge and clinical skills into practice, develop investigational and therapeutic clinical plans, and demonstrate professional behaviors and attitudes to the standards expected of a Canadian physician. You have to be in Canada to take this exam. The application fee for it is $2,780.

  • Get Certified by the Medical Council of Canada

Once you pass both the MCCQE Part I and Part II examination, you will be awarded the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). However, you aren’t still authorized to practice medicine in Canada. To do that, you will have to bag a medical license from a Canadian medical regulatory authority within the province you wish you practice as a doctor.

  • Attend the Practice-Ready Assessment (PRA) Program

This section is for foreign doctors who completed postgraduate clinical medical training abroad and are aiming for a provisional license to start their independent practice. You will have to apply for a set of practice-ready assessment programs.

  • Submit an Application to the Registrar of the Canadian Medical Regulatory Authority (MRA)

There is a Medical Regulatory Authority within every Canadian province and territory. Therefore, you can apply for a medical license in a Canadian province or territory of your choice after you get the LMCC. Once you receive the MRA, you can begin your practice in Canada.

The 3 Most Popular Visa Programs to Migrate to Canada as a Doctor

  • Federal Skilled Worker Visa Program

This is one of the popular programs to migrate to Canada as a skilled worker. From doctors to bankers and IT professionals, the FSW program is much-loved by all. The primary features of this program include the following:

  • A point-based system
  • A qualifying score of 67 points for Express Entry
  • Permanent residence visa application selection
  • Ability to brings your family along
  • Relatively easier process
  • Faster visa (takes around six months)

To be eligible for this visa program, you should possess a related medical degree, enough work experience, and proficient English language skills, alongside immigration medical examination results and license (MCC). Additionally, your profession must be listed on the NOC, Canada.

  • Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Program is made keeping trained medical doctors in mind. The most ideal PNPs include the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) and the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).

  • Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

If you have been invited to Canada with a job offer by a Canadian employer after you get your license, you should perhaps leverage the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program to settle in Canada fast. This program generally has low IELTS and work experience requirements. Nonetheless, your occupation has to be listed in the NOC Skill Level A category.

Do you wish to Migrate to Canada as a Doctor?

Migrating to Canada is relatively easy compared to migrating to other countries. However, that doesn’t mean it is a straightforward process. The laws are a bit complex, and for this reason, it is essential that you work with licensed immigration professionals.

At Pelican Migration Consultants, all our cases are handled by competent and experienced professionals. Together, they help make your migration journey seamless by adhering to the highest standards of client service.