Physicians and surgeons are an integral part of the healthcare system in Canada. The country is facing a shortage of doctors trained in several areas of medical expertise, and thus, the demand for foreign-trained doctors has never been higher. 

Whether you recently completed your medical education abroad or have several years of experience as a physician, immigration to Canada can open up a wide range of opportunities for you. However, In this article, we explore the immigration programs you can take advantage of to move to Canada as a doctor, the provincial licensing process, and in-demand jobs for doctors and surgeons in Canada.

Reasons for moving to Canada as a doctor

As an internationally trained physician, settling in Canada can be an attractive opportunity for various reasons, including:

Shortage of skilled doctors and surgeons

Canada faces a severe shortage of trained physicians in various specialties. It is estimated that between 2022 and 2031, up to  40 percent  of new jobs in medicine could remain unfilled, even as newly graduated physicians and surgeons enter the workforce and experienced physicians immigrate to Canada from abroad. 

High demand for doctors in almost all governorates

Across all Canadian provinces, the 10-year employment outlook for physicians is expected to be good or very good, which means that there will be plenty of job opportunities available for overseas-trained physicians. Medical professions ranging from surgeons to medical specialists appear on many provinces’ in-demand occupation lists, and both the federal and provincial governments are trying to encourage foreign-born doctors to settle and work in Canada. immigrate to canada as a doctor quickest

Scope to earn high salaries or establish a thriving practice

Doctors working in hospitals and healthcare centers earn generous salaries in Canada. Many doctors in Canada are self-employed and have private practices, and their income is based on a pay-for-service model. However, Under the pay-for-service model, the physician is paid by the county health care system (not by the patient) for providing health services. The median  income for family physicians  in Canada is $216,833 annually, while medical specialists and surgeons earn  a  median income of $273,510 annually.

Does Canada accept foreign trained doctors? immigrate to canada as a doctor quickest

Foreign-born doctors are important to keeping Canada’s healthcare system running smoothly. Physicians who completed their medical education outside of Canada may be eligible for various immigration programs and can establish gainful employment here.

However,  before you can start practicing medicine in Canada, you must obtain licensure  from the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) , which usually involves passing a knowledge test, and enrolling in the provincial college of physicians and surgeons. 

Moreover, Given the shortage of doctors that Canada faces, plans are being put in place at the federal and provincial levels to make it easier for international medical graduates to settle in Canada permanently. In mid-2021, the Medical Council of Canada removed one hurdle to physician licensing—the MCCQE II exam—and since then, foreign-trained physicians only need to pass one exam to obtain the LMCC.

Canadian immigration programs for international medical graduates

Foreign residents who have the skills and qualifications to fill critical skill gaps, including in the field of medicine, may be eligible to apply for  permanent residence (PR) in Canada . There are several  immigration programs  you can choose from to move to Canada as an overseas trained doctor.

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

The Express Entry  Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program allows   internationally qualified professionals to move to Canada as permanent residents. Under the FSW program, applicants are invited to apply for a PR position based on their Comprehensive Profile Rating Score  (CRS)  rather than occupation. 

Your CRS score depends on factors such as your age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors. You also get bonus points if you have a Canadian job offer from a clinic, hospital or other health institution, a provincial nomination  (see section below about PNP) , Canadian work experience or educational credentials. In order to get a job offer, you will need to complete the licensing process first. 

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

All Canadian provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, have  Provincial Nominee Programs  that allow them to nominate candidates with the required skills and qualifications for permanent residence. 

Many PNPs have an Express Entry stream where candidates are selected based on CRS scores, but other PNP streams allow provinces to nominate skilled workers in specific occupations or National Occupational Classification Codes (NOC) to fill skills gaps  in  the labor market. You may have a better chance of receiving a nomination from a county than a county that is looking for qualified doctors or surgeons. See the section on in-demand jobs in medicine below for relevant NOC codes for your profession.

Some PNPs require Canadian work experience on your basic NOC. However, Depending on your area of ​​specialization, you may be able to get a job offer from a Canadian healthcare center or hospital and qualify for an employer-specific work permit. Moreover, Your potential employer will need to obtain a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that there are no other medical professionals in your field for the position. However, you will need to obtain  a license from the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) first.

Here are some of the PNP streams and withdrawals that you must follow as you prepare to immigrate to Canada as a Doctor.

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How to get licensed as a doctor in Canada

Medical professions are regulated in Canada and you must be licensed by your provincial or territorial regulator before you can work as a physician or surgeon in Canada. You can start the licensing process online before arriving in Canada. 

Here is an overview of the registration process for overseas-trained physicians in Canada:

Obtaining a license from the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) immigrate to canada as a doctor quickest

Licensed Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) is a qualification in medicine issued by the Medical Council of Canada to medical graduates who meet the eligibility criteria. However, Once you have obtained an LMCC, you will be registered with the Canadian Medical Register. 

It is important to note that  the LMCC is not a license to practice medicine  in Canada. However, you need to complete this step to be eligible for provincial registration.

To be eligible for a Medical Council of Canada license, you must meet the following requirements:

• Medical Education:  You must have graduated from a medical school listed as accepted by the Global Directory of Medical Schools. You will need to have your medical credentials, including any postgraduate training credentials, successfully sourced through an MCC to demonstrate that they are valid and equivalent to Canadian medical credentials.
• Qualifying Exam : Applicants must successfully pass the MCCQE Part 1 exam. This is a one-day test to assess your medical knowledge and ability to make clinical decisions. The test is taken online in more than 80 countries, so you may be able to complete it before arriving in Canada.
• Eligible Work Experience : You must have completed at least 12 months of acceptable postgraduate medical training in your country.
• Pay the LMCC application fee

To apply for an LMCC, visit  physiciansapply.ca  and create an account. However, Click Other Service Requests and apply for the LMCC. Follow the instructions provided to create your application and submit your documents.

It usually takes the MCC three to four weeks to review your information and confirm your eligibility for the LMCC. After that, it may take an additional six to eight weeks for your LMCC documents and Certificate of Enrollment to be mailed to you.

Obtaining a license from the Regional College of Physicians

The next step is to apply to the regional regulator for a license to practice. The licensing process for physicians and surgeons varies by province/territory. Different provinces also offer different types of licenses, ranging from the independent practice license to the clinical observation license. 

Depending on the province you are interested in, you may be able to complete all or part of the licensing process from your home country before moving to Canada. However, We recommend that you review the registration information provided by your college of physicians and surgeons or contact your regional college of physicians (listed below) for a comprehensive overview of the application process.

To be eligible for a license to practice medicine, you must typically meet the following requirements:

• Hold a valid medical degree and LMCC certification from the Medical Council of Canada
• You have Canadian citizenship, permanent residence, or a valid work permit (doctors may qualify for a work permit under certain situations, such as if they completed their medical education in Canada or if a potential employer can demonstrate that no other physicians with a similar level of expertise specialize in Canada), or a Certificate of Enrollment permitting independent, academic practice or postgraduate education
• Proof of proficiency in English (or French) as required by your regulator

In some provinces, you may need to gain Canadian work experience in medicine with a provisional license before qualifying for a license to practice independently. However, The requirements for a provisional license are similar, and you must apply through your provincial or regional regulator. There may also be other requirements you need to meet, including providing professional conduct certificates or references and obtaining professional liability coverage before starting practice.