IMG in Canada : How are you surviving?
- Thread starter One chance
- Start date
You can apply the Canadian open work permit right away:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/02/canada-launches-hong-kong-pathway-that-will-attract-recent-graduates-and-skilled-workers-with-faster-permanent-residency.html
Yes I have taken note of this new development. Unfortunately, I am still a university student enrolled in a Hong Kong MBBS program so I am currently ineligible for this.
I guess I will stand a better chance getting a PR through completing a degree in a post-secondary institution?
(https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/11/measures-to-support-hong-kong-residents-including-youth-to-come-to-canada.html)
This special PR scheme is also the reason why I am considering to take the convoluted (if not dumb) route:
transferring to a Canadian BSc Nursing program as an int'l student --> get PR --> Canadian med school --> apply for matching and practice as a PR, instead of an IMG
After all, practicing as an IMG seemed very daunting yet I still dearly wish to move and practice to Canada. As such, I thought this not-so-witty way of circumventing the IMG status may just work.
Anyway, thanks for the heads up, @steaky!
You seem to be making some pretty big assumptions. There is no guarantee that you'll be granted a study permit since your studies don't make sense and you may not be able to transfer any credits into a nursing program. Getting into a Canadian medical school is very difficult. Many Canadians study abroad after getting rejected sometimes multiple times. If you really want to practice in Canada you should finish school in HK, work as a junior doctor in the UK or Ireland and when you are a consultant move to Canada.
Would add that 1 in 6 Canadian medical graduates who are specialists can't find jobs in Canada. Would not move without a long term job offer. Many new graduates who do get employed are doing short term locums.
Anyone not in Canada yet, I suggest you go work as an IMG in the UK, and then come over. Canada will recognize GPs from the UK (and SA, Aus, New Nealand, USA) but not from anywhere else.
As you'll see, if you are an IMG GP in Canada already, you need to pass difficult MCCQ and NAC exams and get matched by CARMS for residency, where you can specialize in family medicine and go work in the sticks. If you are specialized already, find another profession or go work in the UK and come back after 2 years.
As you'll see, if you are an IMG GP in Canada already, you need to pass difficult MCCQ and NAC exams and get matched by CARMS for residency, where you can specialize in family medicine and go work in the sticks. If you are specialized already, find another profession or go work in the UK and come back after 2 years.
Hi @canuck78
I've read some of your posts related to lack of work opportunities for IMGs as an MD and even getting work after masters public health. Appreciate the realistic picture you've given.
From your experience, do you know of IMGs who have deviated to any other careers paths (Medical and non medical) and succeeded to secure a decent job in Toronto area? If so, what are the fields they've entered?
Thanks!
I changed from MD to software engineering and don’t regret. But it’s not an easy choice and not for everyone that’s for sure
Yes but it really depends on the background of the person and their personality. Whether they had experience in any other sector already or went back to school also makes a difference. It is a huge adjustment because many people identify themselves as physicians and it very hard for them to not be considered an MD anymore. There is a program that helps IMGs with considering other career pathways. If you can be happy not being an MD then you should consider coming to Canada as an IMG but if you can’t see yourself working in another field I would move to another country.
I've seen job postings for IMGs in Ontario to work as something similar to a physician assistant, but they offer wages of 16-18 bucks an hour. To officially be a registered physician assistant, you need to go through a 2-year program that's only in a few universities around Canada (I know McMaster and UoT have it in Ontario) and then write a test to get certified. Then you'll make more than $20 an hour.
That is a medical assistant not a physician assistant. Medical assistant is a very basic role usually taking vitals and doing administrative work in a doctor’s office. I know McMaster and University of Manitoba have PA programs. Maybe U of T has started a program recently that I was unaware of. Relatively new role in Ontario and it is a very small program. They have a similar role as nurse practitioners. Canada has a huge amount of people with masters and PhDs in public health and limited jobs so many grads can’t find jobs in Canada in the field. Majority of public health jobs in Canada are done by nurses.
Yes, I've come to terms with not being an MD which is why I'm trying to look for another field related to the health care sector.
You've mentioned a program for IMGs. Could you please provide me a link for more info?
Thank you.