Canada PR Visa for Doctors 2024 - Become Doctor in Canada

How can Indian Doctors Apply for Canadian Immigration?

Canada is one of the countries where the demand for doctors and health professionals is still high. Canada has over 80 immigration programs to choose from. But if the immigrant seeks to immigrate to Canada and practice as a physician, they must apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

FSWP is one of the federal skilled economic immigration programs. The other two are the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). All requests for FSWP, FSTP, and CEC are handled under the Express Entry program.

What is an express entry program?

The Express Entry program was launched on January 1, 2015, to help fill the skills gap in the Canadian labor market. This is a points-based system where applicants must first achieve 67 points in the Immigration Eligibility Points Assessment Grid. These points are awarded based on certain eligibility factors such as age, professional experience, language skills, diplomas, etc. Once applicants have met these eligibility criteria, they can create an Express Profile. To create the Express Profile, applicants must submit all of their credentials. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a ranking system in which these express profiles are ranked based on CRS points. The higher the profiles in the CRS, the higher the chances of obtaining an invitation to apply (ITA). Once a candidate obtains an ITA, they can apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The ITAs are given to candidates based on the draws carried out regularly by the IRCC. These draw set several invitations to be sent and the CRS threshold for this draw. Applicants who have passed the CRS thresholds receive invitations to apply for a permanent residence visa.

Canada PNPs for Doctors

Each province manages its nominee programs, which allows them to have a say in the selection process of their newcomers. Most provinces base their nominee programs on labor market needs and target specific occupations that are in demand.

British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia each have candidate streams specifically for physicians with job openings in their province. Many others offer appointment programs for applicants who work in their province or have a full-time job offer from an employer in their province.

Some provinces also offer applicants a Work Permit Support Letter that allows them to apply for a work authorization instead of a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This removes an additional step for the employer in the process of bringing foreign doctors to Canada.

Applicants eligible under an Express Entry aligned stream may receive an additional 600 points for their CRS score upon appointment, allowing them to become Canadian Permanent Residents faster.

How to be a doctor in Canada for an immigrant?

Follow these simple steps to apply for licensure as a physician in Canada:

• Have an approved medical degree from a university that must be recognized in the World Directory of Medical School.
• Applicants must apply for a license from the Medical Council of Canada.
• The candidate must complete a one-year graduate program under provincial medical authority.
• Then get official certification from one of the following medical institutions
  • College of Family Physicians of Canada
  • The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • The College des Medecins du Quebec

How do I get approval from the Medical Council of Canada?

All applicants who immigrate to Canada and wish to practice as a physician must be familiar with the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).

For this, candidates will need a certification called License of the Medical Council of Canada.

Here are the requirements to obtain this certificate:

• Must pass Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams, these exams are divided into two: Part 1 and Part 2.
• Must complete at least 12 months of postgraduate training.

It is important to note that obtaining approval from MCC does not mean that the candidate can practice in Canada.

Part 1 of the MCCQE can be taken from anywhere in the world, but Part 2 of the MCCQE must be taken in Canada only. After passing both exams, the candidate still needs approval from the provincial or territorial medical regulatory authorities.

Here is the list of medical authorities in Canada according to the provinces respectively:

What are the fees for a doctor to apply for a PR visa?

Applicants who are considering immigrating to Canada as a physician should be aware of other costs for their budget estimate.

Some of the related fees for Doctors PR Visa are as follows:

• Degree Verification – CAD$215
• Translation fees CAD$181 per change
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA) – CAD$137
• Applicant fees for MCCEE – CAD$2,365
• MCCCEE Part 1: CAD$1,598 and Part 2: CAD$3,340

What are the duties of a doctor in Canada?

Clinical medicine specialists

• Diagnose and treat physiological or psychiatric diseases and disorders
• Order lab tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic procedures
• Prescribe medications and treatments and refer patients for surgery
• Act as consultants to other doctors
• May conduct medical research.

Laboratory medicine specialists

• To study the nature, cause, and development of diseases in humans and the structural and functional changes caused by diseases
• Perform microscopic and chemical analyzes of samples and laboratory specimens
• Supervise laboratory activities
• Act as consultants to other physicians.

Surgery specialists

• Assess patient illnesses or disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures
• Perform and supervise surgical procedures to correct physical abnormalities and impairments and repair injuries
• Act as consultants to other physicians.

In which provinces is the medical professionin demand?

Some provinces in Canada have a special component in their immigration appointment programs only for health professionals. These provincial nomination programs are:

• British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (BC PNP)
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)