Immigration Pathways for IMGs
Before you can practice medicine in Canada, you must obtain the legal right to live and work in the country. Several immigration programs are available, each with specific eligibility criteria and processing times. The most common pathways for IMGs include:
Express Entry
A points-based system for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada quickly.
The Express Entry system manages applications for permanent residency under federal programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Eligibility criteria include:
- Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
- At least one year of continuous full-time paid work experience in the last 10 years.
- Proficiency in English or French (minimum Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 7).
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify your foreign degree.
- A minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP selection grid, assessing factors like age, education, work experience, language ability and adaptability.
Once eligible, you enter the Express Entry pool, where candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Factors like higher language scores, additional education, or a valid job offer can improve your CRS score.
Processing time after receiving an ITA is approximately six months.
You must also be a Canadian citizen or hold a valid Canadian permanent resident card.
You can find more information on the Express Entry page on the IRCC website.
To determine which pathway suits you best, consider using the Government of Canada's online assessment tool or consult with an immigration consultant.