How a'boot Canada, eh? This is a difficult pathway for IMGs and can be quite restrictive. However, it is not impossible - but there are strict requirements which need to be followed, mainly you need to be a Canadian Citizen or hold Permanent Residency. 

​

The Canadian match is overseen by the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). This is a national organisation which provides mandatory matching services for medical residency training throughout Canada. The first year of training is known as "Post-Graduate Year 1" (PGY1).

​

There are four specialty streams through which you can apply and get matched to:

• R-1 Main Resident Match

• Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine Match

• Medicine Subspecialty Match*

• Pediatric Subspecialty Match*

​

*The subspecialty matches occur after 2-3 years of work within Internal Medicine and Pediatrics within R-1.

​

Full details of how to apply and the specialties available can be found at CaRMS's website.

​

Pathway to Residency

1. Eligibility

​

Graduates from outside of Canada and the US can apply to Canada under these conditions:

• Canadian Citizen

• Permanent Resident

​

You will need to demonstrate your status by submitting a copy of one of the following documents to CaRMS by the Rank Order Deadline

• Canadian Birth Certificate

• Canadian Passport

• Canadian Citizenship Certificate

• Canadian Citizen Card (both sides)

• Current Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides)

​

Each province of Canada may also have its own provincial eligibility criteria.

​

2. Academic Requirements

​

As an IMG you need to demonstrate the following:

• You have a medical degree from a school listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools

• You meet the English Language Requirements:

  • IELTS: Minimum score of 7 in EACH section​

​

3. Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE1)

​

A summative examination that assesses the critical medical knowledge and clinical decision-making ability of a candidate at a level expected of a medical student who is completing their degree in Canada. Further details can be found at the MCC website.

​

Canada QBank is probably the most reliable resource for this exam, they have a lot of free videos on their YouTube channel. Toronto notes is also a great resource as it is developed around Canadian guidelines.

​

4. National Assessment Collaboration Exam

​

The NAC exam was introduced to specifically evaluate IMGs. It consists of a series of stations, each of which assesses a different area of medical expertise. 

​

At each station, a brief written statement introduces a clinical problem and outlines the candidate’s tasks (e.g. take a history, perform a physical examination, etc.). In each station, there is at least one standardized patient and a physician examiner.

​

You can write your NAC exam at any centre in Canada. Please note, the NAC is no longer a requirement for the Clinical Assessment Program application. IMGs must still complete the NAC prior to the CaRMS application deadline.

​

5. Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

​

As medical education varies widely among IMGs, prior to gaining access to residency in Canada, all IMGs must complete a series of standardized assessments to ensure they meet the minimum Canadian medical education standards and have the required skills to start residency training.

​

A Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) is a series of independent standardized interviews, each presented at a different station by a different examiner, and each aimed at testing candidates’ competence relative to one of more of the CanMEDS roles.  The level of competence being tested is that of a candidate seeking a first year residency position in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC. The MMI assessment will include up to 10 different interview stations, each presenting a different situation to which the candidate is required to respond to questions from an interviewer.

​

Please refer to the Royal College’s website for information on the CanMEDS roles and Framework.

​

6. Match to Residency (CaRMS)

​

Apply to CaRMS to match to your residency.

​

TIPS:

• Make yourself standout, undertake clinical electives in Canada particularly in your targetted specialty and province

• Attend interviews if offered