Q. Why is Canada recruiting International Medical Graduates (IMGs)?
A. Due to unique Canadian demographics Canada has an aging population, that has resulted in an aging and rapidly retiring workforce. Although Canadian provincial and federal governments are taking steps to increase the number of Canadian trained physicians, the current physician shortage is expected to persist for several years.

Q. Is the medical licensing system in Canada standardized across the country?
A. No - there are 13 separate and distinct provincial and territorial medical licensing authorities across Canada, each with their unique medical licensing standards.

Q. What fees will I be required to pay to your firm for your services?
A. Except in extra-ordinary circumstances, all fees are paid by your new Canadian employer.

Q. Will I have to pay my own moving expenses?
A. Most Canadian employers offer very generous moving allowances to assist you and your family move to your new home. In addition, most employers will also provide or subsidize the cost of temporary lodging and a vehicle until you are able to get settle.

Q. Will I be required to pay medical licensing, liability insurance and immigration fees?
A. Unless you are working as a locum, you will normally be responsible to pay all or part of the above mentioned fees. Note: Most of these fees and expenses are tax deductible.

Q. I am a Specialist Consultant, does Canada recognize medical training from most countries registered with the World Health Organization?
A. In the case of Specialist Consultants some Canadian jurisdictions will provide "defined" medical licenses for physicians with training from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. If your Specialist training is not from one of the listed countries, we recommend that you contact the Post Graduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) in the United Kingdom - www.pmetb.org.uk - to apply for a review of your credentials and a letter of equivalency to the UK's Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) Program.

Due to the complexity of the numerous Canadian medical licensing systems, we recommend that you contact a CanAm recruitment professional to review your credentials, assess your Canadian employment options, and recommend a Canadian career path that best suits your specific clinical skills and experience. Note: Depending on the readiness of your credentials for Canadian licensure, a small assessment fee may apply.

Q. I am a Family Physician, does Canada recognize medical training from most countries registered with the World Health Organization?
A. Most Canadian jurisdictions prefer Family Physicians/General Practitioners with medical credentials from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. However, some Canadian jurisdictions will accept physician candidates from other countries if, 1) you have completed specified internship/post graduate clinical training programs, 2) successfully completed the Test of English Fluency (TOEFL) examinations - www.toefl.org, and 3) completed specified Medical Council of Canada clinical assessment examinations - www.mcc.ca.

Due to the complexity of the numerous Canadian medical licensing systems, we recommend that you contact a CanAm recruitment professional to review your credentials, assess your Canadian employment options, and recommend a Canadian career path that best suits your specific clinical skills and experience. Note: Depending on the readiness of your credentials for Canadian licensure, a small assessment fee may apply.

Q. As a consultant physician trained in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand or the USA, can I obtain an independent license to practice medicine in a major urban centre in Canada?
A. Depending on your current medical credentials, you will most likely have to practice medicine for at least one year as an independent practitioner in an alternate Canadian jurisdiction, and successfully complete the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (FRCPC) examinations if you are a Specialist, or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) examinations if you are a Family Physician/General Practitioner. Note: Since each case is unique we encourage you to consult with a CanAm recruitment specialist.

Q. As a consultant physician trained in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand or the USA, can I obtain an independent license to practice medicine in a smaller urban centre or rural posting in Canada?
A. Yes - However, the more populace provinces tend to have more complex licensing requirements that restrict the practice scope and geographic location of IMGs until they have achieved more advanced Canadian medical credentials and practice experience. The less populace provinces generally allow IMGs from select international jurisdictions a broader scope of practice with fewer geographic location restrictions. Note: Since each case is unique we encourage you to consult with a CanAm recruitment specialist.

Q. Can I stay out of clinical practice or be in an Observership for more than one year?
A. No - Never, never, never stay out of clinical practice! Observership programs are generally not recognized and will be considered as none clinical practice.

Q. Should I enroll in a Canadian International Medical Graduate assessment of training program?
A. CanAm does not specifically recommend any of the IMG programs in Canada. Although, most will assist in preparing you for the Medical Council of Canada examinations, they generally provide very limited assistance for you in obtaining licensure or employment in Canada. IMG programs may assist you in applying to the Canadian Residents Matching Service (CaRMS) program BUT very limited number of IMGs get admitted for residency training. If your focus on obtaining a residency program we would recommend applying to USA and/or consult with a CanAm recruitment specialist. If you have graduated from a medical school approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and have completed recognized post-graduate training, there are other available career path options open to you. Note: Since each case is unique, we encourage you to consult with a CanAm recruitment specialist.

Q. Once I receive an offer of employment from a Canadian employer, how long must I wait before I can start work?
A. If you are a Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder or citizen of the USA, you may be able to obtain a Canadian work permit within 3-6 weeks. Otherwise, depending on your country of origin, the processing of your Canadian Work Permit will generally range from 8 to 16 weeks. CanAm recruitment specialist with the assistance of our affiliated immigration consultants can offer you advice to expedite your immigration application for you and your family.

Q. Will my family and I be able to access the Canadian universal government funded healthcare system's services once I start work in Canada?
A. Yes - As soon as you and your family entry Canada with a valid Canadian Work Permit or as a Canadian Landed Immigrant.

Q. Will I need to obtain a criminal record check before entering Canada?
A. Generally, any foreign worker entering Canada is required to complete a criminal record check as part of the Canadian immigration application process. If you are certain of your plans to work in Canada, we encourage you to apply now to have the criminal record check completed, as some jurisdictions can take up to six months to issue the required documents.

Q. Is my existing license to practice medicine valid in any jurisdiction in Canada.
A. No - only medical licenses issued by the appropriate Canadian provincial or territorial licensing board are valid to practice medicine in Canada.

Q. Once I have commenced work in Canada on a Canadian Work Permit, will I be able to extend my permit to continue working in Canada?
A. Yes - Most Canadian Work Permits are valid for up to 2 years and can usually be extended as long as your employer is prepared to extend your employment contract. If you change employers you will have to apply for a new Work Permit because the permits are employer specific. However, if your plan is to seek permanent employment, we strongly recommend that you activate your application for a Permanent Canadian Residency Visa at your earliest opportunity. To obtain professional advice please contact Mr. Ravi Jain, CanAm's affiliate immigration specialist by clicking - here - now. (Note this link should go to Ravi's page on the CanAm site)

Q. Who can I contact to assist myself and my family as we plan to apply for a Canadian medical post and navigate the licensing, credentialing and immigration processes?
A. Simply register with CanAm! Our highly trained physician recruitment professionals have up to 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry and bring an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of searching for and finding the ideal placement for you and your family. Register now to put our team to work for you, and know that you will receive the very best career planning, Canadian medical licensing, contract negotiating, international immigration, travel planning, tax management, and spousal employment planning advice and services available.

Click the following link to put the CanAm team to work for you and your family - now!

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