How to immigrate to Canada as a doctor in 2023

Many want to know how to immigrate to Canada as a doctor. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for doctors has surged in many Canadian provinces.

In response to these demands, the Canadian government has established several immigration and work permit programs to attract and retain foreign workers.

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor. There are different programs available for doctors who wish to immigrate to Canada.

Canada, like the rest of the world, needs more medical professionals. Many Canadian provinces have urgent needs for medical doctors and nurses.

However, if you want to start practicing medicine in Canada as soon as possible, getting a work visa or work permit is a good first step. Obtaining a Canadian work permit is a necessary first step in settling in Canada permanently or becoming a citizen of Canada.

Permits are issued for specific periods based on the applicant’s occupation. Therefore, the question remains How to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor

The procedure is straightforward, but you must follow all the steps to get off to a good start if you want your new life in Canada. This short, five-step guide will help you accomplish that goal.

How to immigrate to Canada as a doctor Steps

The First Step Is to Decide Where You Want to Go

Researching which Canadian province would be ideal for you is the first step toward obtaining a work permit in Canada.

There are three primary considerations when selecting a vacation spot. If you want to move to a different state, you should research the area’s average salary, job growth, and rules.

Although every province in Canada has its own set of advantages, the one that matters most to doctors seeking a work visa in Canada is where those advantages will be concentrated.

Looking at the province-by-province breakdown of the most in-demand occupations in Canada can be a helpful starting point for this kind of analysis.

Once you’ve decided on a province, you’ll find that they all provide a variety of immigration and visa options. Limiting your search to a single state or province will help you find the right program much faster.

Factors to consider in making your decision include the requirements of each province for obtaining a work visa.

The cost of living varies greatly from province to province, therefore you should also make sure that the province you settle in has a cost of living that is reasonable to your anticipated wages

 The second step on how to immigrate to Canada as a doctor is to Confirm Your Qualifications

If you’re a doctor looking to work in Canada, you’ll need to prove your qualifications to secure a work visa. Check the World Directory of Medical Schools to see if your medical school is recognized in Canada or if you earned your degree outside the country.

If so, you may be asked to take the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove your degree meets the requirements of Canada.

After your qualifications have been verified, you will be required to take both parts of the Medical Council of Canada’s Qualifying Examination (MCCQE).

This first section of the MCCQE is designed to test your general medical knowledge and your ability to apply that knowledge in a clinical environment.

Part II of the MCCQE evaluates your practical medical knowledge, clinical competence, and professionalism.

Furthermore, a certificate of registration and a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) will be issued to you if you have completed at least one year of postgraduate training in a clinical or medical environment. In Canada, you need one to practice medicine legally.

Upon your arrival in Canada, you will be required to finish medical training that has been approved by one of the country’s provincial regulatory agencies. Each province’s governing body is detailed below.

READ MORE: 33+ best-paying engineering jobs in Canada in 2022

Province & Medical Regulatory Authority in Canada

Alberta

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta

British Columbia

College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

Manitoba

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba

New Brunswick

College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick

Newfoundland and Labrador

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador

Northwest Territory

Government of the Northwest Territories

Nova Scotia

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

Nunavut

Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services Medical Registration Committee

Ontario

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Prince Edward Island

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island

Québec

Collège des médecins du Québec

Saskatchewan

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan

Yukon

Yukon Medical Council

The Parliamentary Secretary for Canada’s Immigration Minister recently announced that CA$1.5 million would be allocated to aid foreign nationals in validating their medical credentials. Learn more about the repercussions of this in the following article.

Obtaining a job offer is the third step.

Steps to get offer from-Canada

Having a job offer from a Canadian company for a position that needs you to live in Canada is the next significant step toward obtaining a Canada work visa as a doctor after deciding where you want to live and work in Canada and having your credentials verified.

Also, having a job waiting for you in Canada is essential if you want to receive a work visa in Canada, but this isn’t a requirement for all immigration programs.

Using a Labor Market Impact Assessment, your potential employer must verify that they were unable to fill the position through local recruitment efforts (LMIA). To apply for a work visa, you will need to provide copies of both your letter of employment and a favorable Labor Market Impact Assessment.

For those who aren’t sure how to go about finding work in Canada, this post will provide a ton of useful advice to help you get hired as soon as possible.

The fourth step, ensure you Verify Your Eligibility

Get your Canadian work visa application in as soon as you can after receiving a job offer. After going through this process, make sure you qualify for a work permit. The standards set forth by the Canadian government to obtain a work visa are very straightforward but unyielding. As such, they are as follows:

You will need to show that you have made plans to leave Canada when your work visa expires.

You, and anybody else you wish to bring to Canada with you, must show proof of financial stability to be granted a work permit.

This includes being able to sustain yourself while in Canada and being able to afford a swift exit from the country once your authorized stay ends.

• A successful background check by the police will show that you have no criminal history.
• You need to be healthy enough that you won’t be a burden on the Canadian healthcare system.
• There will be a medical examination involved.
• You need to show your LMIA to your employer to establish that they can legally hire you.
• You will be able to apply for a work permit in Canada if you can provide evidence of the above.
• In addition, you can speak with a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who can not only guarantee your eligibility but also help you identify the program you are most qualified for by clicking the button below if you are unsure of your eligibility or wonder if something may count against you.

The Fifth Step is to Get a Work Permit

When you’ve double-checked your credentials, secured a job offer, and made sure you meet all of the other requirements, it’s time to submit your application on Canada’s official website.

Applying in this manner will save you time and money and is therefore the recommended method of applying. Even if you have additional paperwork to submit, applying online will significantly reduce your wait time.

There is no universally accepted processing time because it varies from country to country. There’s a wide range of time involved, from a couple of weeks to well over a few months. Since an RCIC has the authority to validate your documents before submission, the Canadian government is spared the time and effort required to do so.

Submitting paperwork that is either incomplete or wrong is a key cause of processing delays. When you work with an RCIC, they can also fill in the blanks in your application to make it more competitive.

Territories in Canada That Are Short on Medical Professionals

One of the most crucial things to know before attempting to immigrate to Canada as a doctor is which areas of the country have the most need for medical professionals. Let’s take a look at the top provinces in Canada that are in dire need of medical professionals.

These Canadian provinces have the highest demand for physicians:

Nova Scotia

It’s Newfoundland and Labrador.

New Brunswick

Prince Edward Island

British Columbia

Saskatchewan

Let’s take a better look at it.

Nova Scotia

Family physicians, often known as general practitioners, are in high demand in Nova Scotia.

According to the news, there is a significant physician shortage in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, it often takes a long time in Canada before a departing doctor’s post is filled by a new one. Furthermore, the administration expresses concern regarding impending staffing gaps in the province’s healthcare system.

Labrador and Newfoundland

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, Newfoundland and Labrador has been experiencing a severe lack of primary care providers.

New Brunswick

To a lesser extent than their Nova Scotia counterparts, people in New Brunswick are also having trouble finding primary care physicians as a result of physician retirement. If New Brunswick resident needs medical attention quickly, they may be forced to wait a long time if they go to an emergency department or walk-in clinic.

Island of Prince Edward

Primary care physicians are likewise in high demand. Infectious illness specialists are especially needed on Prince Edward Island.

British Columbia

British Columbia is another jurisdiction with a scarcity of family doctors practicing in the community setting. The fact that doctors are getting older and retiring without being replaced by new family doctors is a major factor as well.

Saskatchewan

Approximately 52% of all doctors in Saskatchewan are international medical graduates, and the demand for doctors is expected to continue growing.

Professional Reward for Doctors in Canada

Generous Paychecks

Canadian family physicians might make anything from $211,000 to $281,000 a year, depending on where they practice. Canada’s average annual income for medical specialists is $360,000, with surgical experts earning $481,000.

Coverage for medical expenses

As a Canadian physician, you’ll be eligible for many health coverage perks, including but not limited to:

Full medical and dental coverage for you and your family

Supplementary medical treatment, including pharmacological, optical, and dental services

Healthcare with some elements of privacy

Term life insurance

Holidays with pay

You are eligible for four weeks of paid leave every year in addition to sick days and other types of leave, such as maternity, parental, bereavement, and personal leave.

How Can a Doctor Immigrate to Canada?

Practicing medicine in Canada is not difficult for doctors because they are highly skilled professionals. The NOC 3112 category, General Practitioners and Family Physicians includes the profession of a doctor.

Doctor immigration programs

Physicians frequently take the following program into account:

Express Entry

Physicians have a fantastic opportunity to immigrate to Canada as highly qualified professionals through the Express Entry system.

Applications from the major economic program are managed by the program.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program will welcome qualified medical professionals includes.

Scores are assigned to your profile after you fill out the application based on things like your education level, employment history, age, and other relevant details. The top-scoring applicants are invited to apply for permanent residency.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

If you have your heart set on relocating to a particular province, this program is fantastic. It’s also of the simplest and quickest methods to enter Canada.

The Provincial Nominee Program was established to address regional labor shortages by providing permanent residency to qualified immigrants who can contribute to the economic development of their nominating province.

If you want to participate in the program, you’ll need to meet the specific criteria of your province.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

Designed to address labor shortages in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick, this program is conceptually very similar to the PNP.

The Atlantic provinces are keen to offer an invitation to qualified doctors due to the severe scarcity of medical professionals there.

Who can participate in the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program?

To apply through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, you must meet several requirements, such as:

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot has three parts, which are:

• Atlantic International Graduate Program
• Atlantic’s High-Skilled Program
• Atlantic’s Intermediate-Skilled Program

You would need to apply for the Atlantic High-Skilled Program as a qualified doctor.

You must meet the following requirements to apply for this program:

You must have worked for at least one year in one of the following jobs:

• Management
• Business
• Skilled job

You’ll have to:

1. Acquire an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report proving that your degree or diploma from abroad is equivalent to a Canadian credential
2. Take an official language test to show that you speak English or French well enough to live and work in Canada.
3. Maintain sufficient financial documentation to cover your basic living expenses in Canada and those of any dependents, whether or not they are coming with you.

Canadian Experience Class

The CEC is ideal for Canadian-based medical professionals who are already based in the country.

If they haven’t been chosen yet, there’s a good chance they will be this year. Because of the pandemic, IRCC has been focusing on sending invitations to people already living in Canada.

Exams for Doctors: IELTS and TEF

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English and/or French language proficiency before you are allowed to interact with patients.

IELTS for English and TEF for French are two examples of validated and acknowledged language tests that can be used for this purpose. Each of your four language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—will be evaluated and combined to form your final score.

Use Your Medical Degree in Canada

Many people who have accomplished the incredible goal of becoming doctors worry that they won’t be able to find work in their field in Canada. Nothing in life is certain, but we can say with absolute certainty that Canada needs more doctors and that if you are competent at what you do, you will find work.

Canadian doctors get excellent salaries. A doctor’s annual pay can range from $206,195 to over $2 million, depending on their level of expertise and area of specialty. Remote areas also tend to have higher salaries, with the range often being between $400,000 and $500,000.

Canada’s Requirements for Medical Practitioners

We’ve made a quick guide for foreign doctors interested in working in Canada. What are we waiting for?

Verified Medical Qualification

You probably already have or will soon complete a medical degree. However, before you begin making preparations for migrating to Canada, you should confirm that your degree will be recognized there.

There is a simple way to verify this as well.

Visit the World Directory of Medical Schools to see if your school is listed and recognized in Canada.

Finally, if you can locate your school, you’ll be all set!

Canadian Medical Association endorsement

The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada is one of the requirements for practicing medicine in Canada.

Moreover, these are  complete the Qualifying Examination of the Medical Council of Canada

1. Take a year or more of graduate school

The first section of the exam can be taken remotely, whereas the second section must be completed in Canada.

After you’ve passed your exams, you’ll have to register with the medical regulators in the state or country where you intend to practice.

Other Necessities

Demonstration of Language Abilities

Medical professionals who wish to immigrate will likely be required to demonstrate proficiency in the target language at some stage during the process.

Furthermore, in most cases, any of the accepted tests would suffice:

IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French

Competence Acquired Through Work

For immigration purposes, medical professionals will need to provide evidence of their previous job experience.

The following data are needed by doctors:

• prior employer’s recommendation letter;
• Name of the Organization;
• Duties on the job;
• The number of hours spent on the job;
• Currently Earning;
• Employer’s contact information.

Fees

Doctors’ immigration budget planning needs could be different depending on their circumstances. It truly is on a case-by-case basis.

We have included some of the more common costs, though, to give you an idea of what to expect:

• The MCCEE application fee is 2,365 Canadian dollars;
• Qualifying Exams of the Medical Association of Canada – CAD 5,000.00
• A degree verification service costs CAD 215.
• Cost of translation is CAD$181 per page;
• 137 Canadian dollars, according to the ECA report.

Average Annual Doctor Salary in Canada?

Knowing the average income for a medical doctor in Canada is useful whether you are just starting in the healthcare industry, commencing your residency, or are considering relocating from another nation.

Although your interest in medicine may have been inspired by your passion, your earning potential should still be taken into account, especially if you anticipate taking on significant student loan debt.

In Canada, a physician’s compensation is often determined by:

• State where one resides
• Professionalization within the Health Care Industry
• Degrees earned through time

Canadian physicians may expect to earn an average annual salary of $83,379, with a high-end figure of $414,389.

Frequently asked questions on How to migrate to Canada as a Doctor

How can a medical doctor relocate to Canada?

Instructions:

The accreditation process varies by province and territory.

Eligibility, program selection, qualifying test, certification

Language proficiencies (TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language and TSE – Test of Spoken English)

Credentials

PG

Refunds, etc.

Recognized Medical Degree:

Check if Canada recognizes your medical degree. They must find their school in the World Directory of Medical Schools. If Canada sponsors their college, it means Canada recognizes their medical school.

Open Account:

Open a physiciansapply.ca account. This step is required for obtaining an express entry visa. Applying costs $290.

Submit credentials to the Medical Council of Canada:

The medical Council of Canada must receive medical education credentials (MCR). It requests an ECA report. Source verification costs $170 per medical certificate and ECA costs $108.

Register for Express Entry:

Start express entry Canada immigration with the ECA report number.

Canadian Medical Association MCCQE Part I:

After submitting the ECA, the candidate must take Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam. Computer-based, one-day test. It evaluates a doctor’s medical knowledge using Canada’s standards. In 80 countries and 500 test centers, applicants can take the exam. MCCQE Part 1 costs $1305.

Immigration:

The person must have entered Canada through expedited immigration. Without accreditation, they can’t practice.

NAC Exam:

IMGs must take this exam to become Canadian residents. One-day test in Canada. It evaluates the applicant’s knowledge, skill, attitude, and other requirements for Canadian postgraduate training. The exam costs $2,830.

Canadian Medical Association MCCQE Part II:

MCCQE Part II takes two days. It assesses the candidate’s core competencies, including medical knowledge, clinical skills, clinical plans (both investigative and therapeutic), and professional behavior. These checks guarantee the candidate’s medical expertise fulfills Canada’s independent practitioner criteria. The $2,780 exam cost must be paid in Canada.

Medical Council of Canada Licence:

After passing MCCQE parts I and II, a person receives the LMCC (LMCC). MCC isn’t a Canadian license yet. This license is used to request approval from CMRA.

PRA Program:

IMGs who graduated overseas and want a provincial license to practice might enroll in PRA programs like:

• Program-IMG-BC
• Alberta Medical Assistant Program
• AccessHealthForceOntario
• Practice-ready evaluation at CMQ
• Alberta Medical Graduate International
• Application to the MRA Registrar:

Canada has one MRA per province. The foreign doctor must apply for a medical license with LMCC’s MRA. Foreign doctors can practice in Canada after getting MRA licenses.

It’s not time-consuming or complicated, despite appearances. When applying for medical posts or other jobs in Canada or elsewhere, immigration consultants are suggested. They explain everything, including Canadian express entry.

Which country pays doctors the most?

Considering the United States spends more on healthcare than any other country, this country is a natural choice, albeit rural and urban doctor incomes can differ significantly.

Is there a demand for doctors in Canada?

Throughout 2019-2028, there are projected to be 50,900 new job openings (due to expansion demand and replacement demand) for general practitioners and family physicians, while only 19,400 new job seekers are expected to be available to fill them (due to school dropouts, immigration, and mobility).

Which country is best for doctors to migrate to?

It’s not all sunshine and daisies for those who want to pursue a career in medicine; they’ll have to endure premed, earn a medical degree, and pass the

medical school, pass the licensing exam, do their residency, and do whatever else may be required

required.

On the plus side, medical professionals are often highly valued and paid handsomely in developed nations. That’s because of this, where in this article, we take a look at several nations that pay their medical professionals the most.

So, let’s not waste any more time and get down to business.

Doctors in the United States have one of the highest median incomes in the world, at $260,000 a year.

and all the extras are included. As your field of expertise grows, so will your opportunities. Cosmetic surgeons, for instance, make no

annual income of $561,000 or less

It’s not simple to become a licensed medical doctor in the United States, especially if you’re a first-generation student.

Before practicing medicine in the United States, graduates must complete residency training and the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE).

certification test.

How can a doctor get a permanent residency in Canada?

The process of immigrating to Canada is straightforward, but filling out all the necessary paperwork can be difficult. Communicating with a Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant is the first and easiest step (RCIC).

Do not delay in beginning the procedure if the thought of living and working in one of the best countries in the world appeals to you.

If you’re a doctor, Canada may use your services.