Doctors are an integral part of Canada’s healthcare system. Canada faces a shortage of trained doctors across many areas of medical expertise, and as a result, the demand for foreign-trained doctors is increasing.
Whether you just recently concluded your medical education or have been a practicing medical doctor with several years of experience in another country, immigrating to Canada can open up many opportunities for you as a doctor. Immigrating to Canada is becoming very popular, especially because of the high rate of accessible employment opportunities.
Discover how to immigrate to Canada as a doctor in the article.
As an internationally educated doctor, immigrating to work in Canada can be a very attractive opportunity for several reasons. Some of these include:
Shortage of Skilled Medical Practitioners
Canada faces a shortage of trained doctors across different specializations. Despite the new graduates in the medical field entering the workforce, it is estimated that, between 2022 and 2031, up to 40 percent of new job opportunities in the medical field may remain unfulfilled. Hence, the need for doctors in Canada.
High Demand for Doctors in Canada
The employment outlook for doctors across all provinces in Canada is projected to be good or very good, which means there will be job opportunities available to immigrant doctors. Canada’s federal and provincial governments are trying to encourage immigrant doctors to settle and work in Canada.
Aim of Earning High Salaries or Setting Up a Flourishing Medical Practice
Immigrant doctors employed by hospitals and healthcare centers earn mouth-watery salaries in Canada. Many doctors who immigrate to work in Canada are self-employed in private practices, and their income is based on a pay-for-service model. Under the pay-for-service model, the doctors who provide healthcare services get paid by the province’s healthcare system, not by the patients. Immigrant doctors get paid approximately $216,833 to $273,510 per year.
Doctors who completed their medical education outside Canada may be eligible to immigrate to Canada and establish a lucrative career there. However, before practicing medicine in Canada, you must be licensed by the Medical Council of Canada.
How to Get Licensed to Work as a Doctor in Canada
The medical profession is regulated in Canada, and to immigrate to work in Canada as a doctor, you must be licensed by your provincial or territorial regulator. As a person who intends to immigrate to work in Canada as a doctor, you can complete the licensing process online before you arrive in Canada.
Below is an overview of the registration process for those who wish to immigrate to work as a doctor in Canada:
Get a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
A Licentiate of the 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. Once you receive LMCC, you’ll be enrolled in the Canada Medical Register.
Note: LMCC is not a license to practice medicine in Canada; however, it is a process you must complete to be eligible for provincial registration.
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To be eligible for a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada, you must meet the following requirements:
- Medical Education: You must have graduated from a medical school listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools. You’ll need your medical credentials, including any postgraduate training credentials, successfully source-verified through the Medical Council of Canada to prove they are valid and equivalent to a Canadian medical credential.
- Qualifying Exam: Applicants must pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualification Examination (MCCQE) Part 1. It is a one-day exam that assesses your medical knowledge and ability to make clinical decisions. The exam is administered online in over 80 countries, so you may be able to complete the test where you are before immigrating to work as a doctor in Canada.
- Eligible Work Experience: You must have completed at least twelve (12) months of acceptable postgraduate medical training in your home country before immigrating to work as a doctor in Canada.
- Pay the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) application fees.
You can visit mcc.ca and create an account to apply for the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). Click on Other Services Requests and Apply. Follow the instructions provided to create your application and submit your documentation. Typically, it takes three (3) to four (4) weeks for the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) to review your information and confirm your eligibility for the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). After that, it can take an additional six (6) to eight (8) weeks for you to receive your LMCC documentation and Certificate of Registration.
Get Licensed by the Provincial College of Medical Practitioners
You can now apply to your provincial regulator for a license to practice as a doctor there. The licensing process varies by province and territory. Different provinces offer different license types, from licenses for independent practice to clinical observation.
Depending on the province you are applying to, you may need to acquire Canadian work experience in medicine on a provisional license before qualifying for a license to practice independently.
Conclusion
Many doctors from different countries around the world desire to immigrate to work in Canada because of the opportunities available, but coupled with the desire is the ability to know what is involved in making such a desire come to fruition. When this is known, it becomes easy for the desire to be turned into reality.
