How to Immigrate to Canada as a doctor? Salary

In which cities in Canada foreign medical doctors can find jobs easier?

Competition might be a bit tight in large Canadian cities but so are the job opportunities. In the following cities, you can find a job as a doctor:

• Toronto
• Montreal
• Calgary
• Ottawa
• Edmonton
• Winnipeg
• Mississauga
• Vancouver
• Brampton
• Hamilton

The following list of cities might be small and low population but the job opportunities for doctors are great:

• Toronto
• Hawkesbury
• Cornwall
• Pembroke

Immigration to Canada as a doctor from America

The American citizens who want to immigrate to Canada as a doctor need the same sort of requirements as the other nationals.

They have to study medical majors in a verified education center or university. The center needs to be verified by the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDMS).

Then they have to apply for a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).

The next stage is to pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations the first step in the US and the next one in Canada.

When the test is complete, they might have to enter 12 months of postgraduate training course. After that, verification from the medical authorities in the province they want to work in is needed.

Medical Regulatory Authorities approval

Completing the postgraduate training, applicants need to get approval from Medical Regulatory Authorities in the province or territory they want to work in.

The following is a list of Medical Regulatory Authorities in Canadian provinces you need to get approval:

How can foreign doctors immigrate to Canada Permanently?

When doctors apply through the Express Entry program, they automatically receive Canadian PR or Permanent Residency. They can stay in the country for five years and after three years of living under PR, then they become eligible to apply for citizenship.

The same is true with the Provincial Nominee Program. You apply for a PR through PNP and receive nominations from one of the Canadian provinces. When you get the PR and immigrate to Canada, you become eligible to apply for citizenship after three years.

What is the list of requirements for doctors to work in Canada?

The list of required documents for a doctor to work in Canada is up to the province they want to move to. Also, the applicants might have to provide further documents regarding their case.

A common list is as follows:

Qualifications

Your certificate from the university approved by the Canadian government is needed. You need to have them translated into English or French. Also, approval from verified international organizations is required.

Program of immigration

Various Canadian immigration programs appropriate for doctors got covered in this article. Read each one of them carefully and find out if you are fit for them or not.

Each one of them has different requirements. You need to fulfill them as well.

Language proficiency tests

Applicants need approved language proficiency certificates. The two official languages of Canada are English and French.

The language of Quebec province is French, and if you want to immigrate there, you need to speak French. However, you can improve your chance. Language proficiency holds scores in the Express Entry program and you can easily improve it by language proficiency.

Also, you can develop the possibility of getting a job.

Approved language tests are as follows:

English

• CELPIP
• IELTS

French

• TEF Canada
• TCF Canada

Postgraduate Assessment

Return-of-service agreements

Where can immigrated doctors work in Canada?

Some of the centers and places where an immigrant doctor can work in Canada are as follows:

• Hospitals
• Care Facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Doctors’ clinics
• Community centers
• Private medical facilities
• Work as self-employed doctor

Who is qualified to immigrate to Canada as a doctor?

Not everyone is qualified to apply to work as a doctor in Canada. Applicants need to be licensed Doctors in the home country or country they reside in. Moreover, applicants have to prove that they are as qualified as a doctor who works in Canada.

Your certificate must be approved by the Canadian authorities and on the list of the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDMS).

Also, applicants need to take some tests and examinations before being eligible to work as a doctor in Canada. The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) is one of them that has different parts.

How could you apply and receive a License to Practice Medicine in Canada?

Go through the following steps to get your license and practice medicine in Canada:

Confirming your medical degree

You need to visit the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) website. It is part of the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER).

Put the following information on the website:

• medical school,
• the name of the medical degree,
• the year of your graduation

Applicants have to put the information, so the Canadian authorities accept or refuse the degree.

Get ready for the medical exams

There is an examination for the international medical graduate (IMG) to test their readiness to become a doctor in Canada. The exam gets called the Medical Council of Canada Self Administered Evaluating Examination (SAE – EE).

There is a fee for taking the test that you need to pay.

Submit portfolio

The IMGs can create an electronic portfolio on the MCC’s Physician Credentials Repository. It can be done before coming to Canada.

You can apply to share your portfolio with the qualifying bodies and regulatory authorities in the medical sector.

MCC’s Physician Credentials Repository application

Applicants need to open an application with the MCC’s Physician Credentials Repository. Also, they need to send a certified copy of their medical diploma to the center.

The process is a bit complicated and can seem tricky. You would better get advice from someone who has been through it or a professional legal expert.

Each Canadian province is different in terms of registration and rules. So do your research to avoid any unwanted trouble.

Do you need a work permit to work as a doctor in Canada?

Yes, if you are not a permanent resident in Canada, you need to apply for a work permit to work as a doctor.

Do you have to go through the medical tests during the immigration process?

Yes. But the medical tests you go through is up to the immigration method you have picked. The followings are some of the tests you need to take during the immigration process;

• Physical examinations include:
  • heart
  • lungs
  • eye
  • nose
• Chest X-rays
• Urine Tests
• Blood Tests for HIV & Syphilis
• Tests for COVID-19 (Now)

What doctor positions can immigrate to Canada?

The following list is some of the occupations that a doctor can work in Canada or a subcategory. The list is not complete and Canada lacks every type of doctor and related occupations.

Family Medicine

How often do you need to visit a medical specialist for this particular problem? Maybe once a year. But how often do you pay a visit to a family medicine doctor? Well, more frequently.

This is why family medicine is more needed in every country. It is true for Canada as well. Not everyone needs a specialist but everyone needs to visit a family medicine once in a while.

Moreover, the job opportunities for family medicine are diverse and different;

• work for a large hospital or institution
• open your own practice
• work in a remote area

Also, family doctors have a large supply per capita. This is the area you can ensure to get a job, flexible working hours, and a good income. The average salary of a family doctor in Canada is about $230,000 -$250,000 per year.

Pediatricians

One of the major troubles of having a child is that he/she gets sick often. Visiting a doctor is a hassle and often one of the nightmares parents get up in the middle of the night.

Similar to a family doctor, pediatricians are one of the most in-demand fields and skills. Every child requires an experienced and knowledgeable pediatrician.

They have less trouble in finding a position that matches their skill and can be transferred to clinics and hospitals easily. Moreover, a small group of pediatricians needs extra or additional training after graduation.

The average pediatrician earns a gross salary of 241,000-281,000 per year.

General Pathology

They work with all aspects of laboratory investigation of disease and health. The main focus of their work is on the causes, manifestations, and diagnosis of disease.

One of their work fields is to provide advice or consult the clinical physicians in the treatment of patients. Their expertise is often required in the treatment process.

The job titles they might work in are:

• autopsy specialists,
• surgical pathologists,
• medical microbiologists,
• transfusion specialists

The average pathologist earns a gross salary of C$294,867 to $318,739

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is a Canadian independent, not-for-profit organization that “provides essential information on Canada’s health system and the health of Canadians”.

According to CIHI, about half of cardiothoracic surgeons are over 65 years old. It indicates that there are plenty of job opportunities in Canada waiting for young and skilled cardiothoracic surgeons.

They work with the surgeries of:

• heart,
• pericardium,
• vessels

Cardiothoracic surgeons are responsible for the treatment of conditions of the heart, lungs, and other pleural or mediastinal structures.

Some of the diseases a  cardiac or cardiovascular surgeon could treat are as follows:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart failure
• Abnormal enlargement
• Leaking heart valve
• Blockages in the heart valve

You can see that the above health conditions are common in every country, unfortunately. So you can say again that Cardiothoracic Surgery has brilliant job opportunities in Canada.

The average cardiothoracic surgeon’s salary of C$304,696, $433,369 or, $599,000 per year.

Occupational Medicine

How many hours do you spend at work? Well, you and I tend to spend more time at work with colleagues than with family. So, health and safety at work become essential both for the individual, employers, and the government.

Occupational Medicine focuses on the prevention of injuries and health conditions at work. Their job is to prevent health problems that are caused by poor or inappropriate working conditions. They work to protect the mental and physical health of employees.

Although the occupation is quite new and got introduced in 2006, more than half of the people working are over 65.

With the new employees and immigrants moving to Canada, there is always a need for occupational medicine as people are trying to create a work-life balance.

The average doctor in occupational medicine earns a C$315,357 to C$292,921 per year.

Medical doctors’ salary in Canada

According to the talent.com website, the average annual salary of a medical doctor in Canada is $69,615.

However, the income is also up to:

• the work experience
• expertise
• years of working in Canada
• province you work in

An average list of medical doctors’ salary in the famous cities is as follows:

The salary of the following related job groups might be interesting for you;

What are the benefits of Immigrating to Canada as a doctor?

Living in Canada needs explanations and mentioning the benefits. People living in Europe try to immigrate there and start a new life in a versatile country that accepts immigrants.

Doctors are an in-demand job title and they will get the following benefits in Canada:

• A good balance between work and life
• Vaccination packages and holidays
• Occupational and mental counseling services;
• Health and wellness programs
• A well-paid pension plan
• disability benefits, short and long term
• Life insurance
• Family coverage and benefits
• Dental coverage
• prescription drugs, vision care and extended health care services
• Open to religions and way of life
• Economic stability
• Third best education system in the world

Let’s sum up…

This article explained how doctors can immigrate to Canada. The immigration programs and what certificates you need got covered in this text. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the country needs more doctors, and they are determined to attract a skilled workforce to Canada.

You can find more information about the provided immigration ways through the left sidebar.

In case you have questions, write them down in the comment section. The Visa Library article will answer them immediately.

Go through the top menu to find out about Canada’s immigration programs and know in detail how to immigrate to Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions about immigrate to Canada as a doctor