5 Steps doctors need to know before immigrating to Canada

steps doctors need to know before immigrating to Canada

There is a market uneven distribution of doctors and dentists in Canada. Under the Canadian federal skilled worker program, skilled professionals are encouraged to immigrate to Canada to further their career as well as enjoy the high standards of living existing there. Under this scheme, skilled migrants who possess the requisite skills listed on the Priority Occupation List, can apply individually for a migrant visa.
Skilled workers, including doctors, must meet the visa application requirements. They must have worked continuously for one year full-time or significantly long as part-time during the last ten years. They further will be subjected to the language eligibility test which they must comply with before their visa application can be considered.

There are three categories of medical practitioners, each having different eligibility criteria. In case the skill is listed on the Priority Occupation List, you can apply without having to have been selected by a Canadian employer.

The three categories of the medical practitioners are as below:

1. Specialist Physicians

These are required to possess a Bachelor of Science degree. Further, they must have graduated from a recognized medical school and obtained the specialist training needed. In addition to the academic qualification, they must possess the professional qualifications such as those conducted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Successful completion of these exams will make them eligible for provincial medical licensing.

Each specialist must meet the minimum experience requirements. The clinical medicine specialist must have at least four years residency training and two years subspecialty training. Laboratory experts must have at least four years residency training while those in surgery must have six years residency training as well as two years in subspecialty training.

2. General Practitioners and Family Physicians

Academically, these practitioners are required to have a bachelor’s degree from approved medical school and complete a three years of family residency training. Further, they must complete the professional examinations by the Medical Council of Canada as well as secure a provincial license.

3. Dentists

Dentists are expected to have completed four years pre-dentistry academic education. Further, they must have completed four-year pre-dentistry university studies and hold a university degree from an accredited dental school. Additionally, they must become licensed by a provincial or territorial regulatory body.

Stage 2: Application Process.

Once you have met step 1 requirement, you can apply for a visa. This application will be submitted to Canadian Immigration and Citizenship program, which will process the application using the six selection criteria. These are:
educational qualification

• Language proficiency
• Work experience
• Age
• Employment status in Canada, and
• adaptability level

Step 3: Ways to immigrate to Canada

Upon successful application, there are several methods of obtaining immigration status to Canada.

If you intend to immigrate to Canada, you need a work permit. This can be secured through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. This is required before registration (for training and examinations).

Work Permit

The work permit allows you to take jobs in Canada. To get one, your potential Canadian employer has to apply to the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Service Canada for an assessment of their skills. If your application meets the current labour requirements, you may be issued with a work permit in the Canadian Consulate or Embassy near you.

Basically, they establish your health, crime history and your ability to demonstration compliance with the temporary residency requirements.

Permanent Residency

This permit allows an immigrant the full right to live, work or study anywhere in Canada. There are several immigration classes setting your eligibility to apply.

• Federal Skilled Worker Class allows the applicant having the experience and a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer to apply for the same. Further, they must meet the minimum selection score based on education, experience, age and language ability.
• Canada Experience Class accepts applications from temporary foreign workers who have worked in Canada for a year.
• Family Class includes people who may be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident spouse.

Continuous stay in Canada for over 2 years in the last 5 years is also considered during the application.

Citizenship

Once you have fulfilled the above step, you can apply to become a Canadian citizen.

Step 4: Settlement

Upon arrival in Canada, The Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration receives and assists fresh immigrants to integrate. They offer bridge training for health care positions for internationally-trained individuals. They also assist in finding jobs, children school enrolment, learning English and healthcare applications.

Finding a job in Canada may be different from your home country. You may need assistance in finding job vacancies, adjusting your resume, writing forwarding letters, preparing to do interviews, and understanding the specifics of the Canadian healthcare employers.

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) is Canada’s reference on occupations. It provides job descriptions, occupational statistics and labor market information:

Qualifications recognition

Depending on the province you intend to settle in, your licensing process may include:

• examinations (program and certification)
• language tests
• postgraduate assessment
• Skills redistribution agreements. Here, the immigrant commits to practicing in an underserved community for some time as agreed.

Regardless of your education or experience, doctors are required to be licensed in Canada in order to practice as a medical doctor.

Qualifications assessment services

In case you are desirous of upgrading your qualifications, it is recommended that you contact your preferred institution to get the steps to be followed. They will also evaluate your academic and professional eligibility.

You can get additional information in this course at the Foreign Credential Referral Office through their website. They will support your career progression and assist them to practice their skills in Canada more quickly.

With a competitive salary of over 80,000 per month, medical practitioners can choose where to locate their services depending on their geographical preferences. The ultimate outcome is a win-win situation for them as well Canada.