Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor in 2023
Doctors are in Huge Demand in Canada and are on the Canadian NOC List code 3113. Qualified Doctors are eligible for full Permanent Residency in under the Federal Skilled Worker Immigration Program on both a Federal and Provincial Nomination basis. As a Doctor, there are three ways to immigrate to Canada. Here are the possible pathways:
Express Entry
The Express Entry system is a point-based system that manages applications for permanent residency for skilled workers. You may be eligible to apply through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) if you meet the minimum requirements for language proficiency, education, work experience, and age. If you meet the criteria, you can create an online profile and be entered into the pool of candidates. Candidates are ranked based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency through regular draws.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Many provinces and territories in Canada have their own PNP programs. Some PNPs have specific streams for healthcare professionals, which can help you immigrate to Canada more quickly. Each PNP has its own eligibility criteria and application process, so it’s important to research the options available to you.
Quebec Experience Program: If you are interested in living and working in Quebec, you may be eligible to apply through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). The PEQ is designed for temporary foreign workers and international students who have completed a Quebec education program. It provides a faster route to permanent residency for eligible candidates.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program: The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) is a joint initiative between the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. The AIPP is designed to help employers in these provinces hire foreign workers, including healthcare professionals, to address labor shortages.
NOC List Code 3113 Doctors
The Canadian National Occupation Classification Codes are a selection of occupations representing the occupations currently in demand in Canada from an Immigration perspective. It’s sent in consultation with the Department of Labor Relations and is designed to set the roadmap for Canadian Immigration policy over the next few years whereby the Canadian Government have declared their intention to import at least 1,000,000 skilled migrants by 2021.
Whilst the NOC is broad, there are several codes (we find) that seem to be in more ‘demand’ than others, all Doctor codes seem to be currently in this demand category.
The NOC Code to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor covers a large number of Doctor position titles, including:
- acute care specialist
- allergist
- allergologist
- anatomical pathologist
- anatomopathologist
- anesthesiologist
- anesthetist
- anesthetist-resuscitator
- autopsy pathologist
- cardiac surgeon
- cardiologist
- cardiology specialist
- cardiothoracic surgeon
- cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon
- cardiovascular and thoracic surgery specialist
- cardiovascular surgeon
- child specialist
- clinical immunologist
- clinical immunologist-allergist
- clinical immunology and allergy specialist
- clinical pathologist
- clinical pharmacologist
- community health physician
- community medicine physician
- community medicine specialist
- cosmetic surgeon
- critical care medicine physician
- critical care medicine specialist
- dermatologist
- diagnostic radiologist
- diagnostic radiology specialist
- ear specialist
- emergency medicine physician
- emergency medicine specialist
- emergency physician
- emergentologist
- endocrinologist
- environmental medicine specialist
- esthetic surgeon
- eye specialist
- forensic pathologist
- gastroenterologist
- general pathologist
- general surgeon
- geneticist – medical specialist
- geriatric medicine specialist
- geriatrician
- geriatrics specialist
- geriatrist
- gynecologist
- heart specialist
- hematological-pathologist
- hematologist
- hematopathologist
- hematopathology specialist
- histopathologist – medical specialist
- hyperbaric physician
- immunologist and allergologist
- infectious disease physician
- infectious disease specialist
- infertility specialist
- inpatient physician
- internal medicine specialist
- internist
- laryngologist
- lung specialist
- medical bacteriologist
- medical biochemist – physician
- medical examiner
- medical geneticist
- medical genetics specialist
- medical microbiologist
- medical oncologist
- medical oncology specialist
- medical parasitologist
- medical pathologist
- medical physiologist
- medical specialist
- neonatologist
- nephrologist
- nerve specialist
- neurological surgeon
- neurologist
- neuropathologist
- neuropsychiatrist
- neurosurgeon
- nose specialist
- nuclear medicine physician
- nuclear medicine specialist
- nuclear physician
- obstetrician
- obstetrician-gynecologist
- occupational health physician (OHP)
- occupational medicine specialist
- occupational physician
- oculist
- OHP (occupational health physician)
- oncologist
- ophthalmologist
- orthopedic surgeon
- orthopedics specialist
- orthopedist
- otolaryngologist
- otologist
- otorhinolaryngologist
- otorhinolaryngology specialist
- pathologist – medical
- pathologist-hematologist
- pediatric oncologist
- pediatric surgeon
- pediatrician
- phoniatrician
- phoniatrist
- physiatrist
- physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
- plastic surgeon
- plastic surgery specialist
- pneumologist
- police surgeon
- preventive medicine physician
- preventive medicine specialist
- proctologist
- psychiatrist
- psychopharmacologist
- pulmonary disease specialist
- pulmonary medicine physician
- pulmonary medicine specialist
- pulmonologist
- radiation oncologist
- radiologist
- radio-oncologist
- radio-oncology specialist
- rehabilitation specialist
- respiratory disease specialist
- respirologist
- rheumatologist
- rhinologist
- skin disease specialist
- skin specialist
- specialist doctor
- specialist in cardiology
- specialist in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
- specialist in community medicine
- specialist in critical care medicine
- specialist in emergency medicine
- specialist in environmental medicine
- specialist in epidemiology and community medicine
- specialist in geriatric medicine
- specialist in hematopathology
- specialist in infectious diseases
- specialist in infertility
- specialist in internal medicine
- specialist in medical oncology
- specialist in nuclear medicine
- specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation
- specialist in plastic surgery
- specialist in preventive medicine
- specialist in pulmonary disease
- specialist in spinal injuries
- specialist in sports medicine
- specialist in vascular surgery
- Doctor
- spinal injury specialist
- sports medicine physician
- sports medicine specialist
- surgeon
- surgical pathologist
- surgical physician
- surgical resident
- thoracic surgeon
- throat specialist
- tropical medicine physician
- urologist
- vascular surgeon
If you are a Doctor in any of the above areas of medical specialisation, you could qualify to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor.
If you don’t see your profession listed here, it does not mean it is not included in the NOC list elsewhere. Many medical specialisations hold their own separate codes under the NOC list. Simply take one of our Free Online Visa Assessments to be sure. Our Canadian Medical migration experts can advise you on all the particulars of your situation.
Under the Canadian Government NOC code, Doctors perform some or all of the following duties:
Specialists in clinical medicine
- Diagnose and treat diseases and physiological or psychiatric disorders
- Order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures
- Prescribe medication and treatment and refer patients for surgery
- Act as consultants to other physicians
- May conduct medical research.
Specialists in laboratory medicine
- Study the nature, cause and development of diseases in humans and the structural and functional changes caused by diseases
- Conduct microscopic and chemical analyses of laboratory samples and specimens
- Supervise laboratory activities
- Act as consultants to other physicians.
Specialists in surgery
- Assess patients’ diseases or disorders to determine appropriate surgical procedures
- Perform and supervise surgical procedures to correct physical abnormalities and deficiencies and repair injuries
- Act as consultants to other physicians.
Doctors under these codes are employed across a variety of professional environments including but not limited to hospitals, care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors’ clinics, community centres, private medical facilities and may be self-employed.
Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor with Emigrate Canada
We love to chat all things Canadian Immigration and our friendly expert Canadian Medical Immigration specialists are uniquely positioned to assist with your emigration to Canada. Let us design your bespoke Migration, Recruitment & Resettlement pathway today, with no obligation.
Emigrate Canada don’t use any fancy one size fits all computer programs when it comes to assessing your eligibility to immigrate to Canada as a Doctors. Every assessment is hand reviewed by an industry specialist with significant experience in medical migration.
Free Doctor Canada Visa Assessment
Free Doctor Canada Visa Assessment
Minimum qualifications required to immigrate to Canada as a Doctor
To immigrate to Canada as a Doctor you’ll already need to be a licensed Doctor in your home country. Additionally, to immigrate to Canada as a Doctor you’ll need to demonstrate that you’re qualified to the same level as someone qualified and working as a Doctor in Canada.
To accurately assess your equivalency it’s important to first take a deep dive into the specifics of how Canada assesses internationally qualified Doctors against their internal benchmarks in a Country of distinct provinces.
The first step is to ensure that your Medical Degree is one recognised by Canada. To do this you will need to conduct a search of the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDMS) for your medical school. A Canadian Sponsor Note for your medical school must appear for the degree of this school to be accepted and recognised within Canada.
Take the online practise tests.
The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I is one of the exams you need to pass before you are eligible to practise in Canada. You can test your readiness for the MCCQE Part I by taking the Practice tests.
These tests are designed to help you familiarize yourself with the types of questions you could encounter related to the new Blueprint, as well as the online delivery platform of the MCCQE Part I. Practice test content is created by physicians and experts who have experience with the MCC’s content development process.
Open a Physiciansapply.ca online account
To take the MCCQE Part I, you must first sign up for a physiciansapply.ca account. You will need to pay a one-time, non-refundable fee of $290. Once you sign up, you will be able to log into your account to request various services, including storing and sharing your documents, applying for exams and more.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor Stage One
As an internationally qualified Doctor looking to immigrate to Canada your first task is going to be securing a positive outcome from the Medical Council of Canada.
This involves taking the MCCQE Part I. This is a computer-based exam that can be taken at more than 500 test centres around the world. Apply for the MCCQE Part I through your physiciansapply.ca account. This process ensures Canadian Authorities you meet the required qualifications.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor Stage Two
With your MCCQE Part I assessment underway it’s time to start building out your Express Entry profile. To successfully immigrate to Canada as a Doctor we’re going to create the strongest possible profile although creating an express entry profile alone is of no use. Express Entry is where the work really begins in earnest, it’s the start of your immigration journey and not the end. We’ll have you sit your internationally recognized English or French test (or both if you’re lucky enough to be bilingual in these languages!) at this point and we also recommend you commence your job search in earnest although given that you’ll be shortly securing your Doctor assessment there are many options to successfully immigrate to Canada as a Doctor without a job offer.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor Stage Three
After your positive Medical Council of Canada assessment its time to submit the second stage of your process of Medical Registration by applying directly to the medical board in your chosen Province or Territory.
When it comes to matching the skills, qualifications and experience of Internationally qualified Doctor Immigrating to Canada with the specific requirements of Canadian Provinces and Territories we recommend a Free Consultation with one of our Canadian Doctor Immigration Experts.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor Stage Four
At this point your Canadian Immigration project will be starting to come together. With your registration and licensing secured we should be seeing traction in terms of your Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Visa and we’ll be looking at securing further traction via Provincial Nomination or a Job Offer as a fall back option should an Invitation to Apply still not have materialized.
Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor Stage Five: Invitation to Apply
The penultimate stage of your Immigration to Canada is receiving your Invitation to Apply via the Express Entry program. You’ll be receiving this Invitation based on your Express Entry Case which will either have been strong enough to have been selected directly on a federal basis, via Provincial Nomination or selected based on you securing a formal Job Offer in Canada.
Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor Stage Six: Congratulations
Welcome to your new life in Canada. You have up to one year to formally activate your visas.
Can my family join me when I immigrate to Canada as a Doctor?
Yes, the rights and privileges afforded to the main visa holder are passed onto partners and children automatically. In fact, your partners skills, education and qualifications may even make your overall application even stronger.
When I Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor on Permanent Residency what does it mean for my family and I?
Canadian Permanent Residents can:
Live and work in Canada
Enter and leave without restriction
Study in Canada
Access Canadian Healthcare
Access social benefits
Apply for Citizenship and Dual Nationality after four years
Enjoy protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
How will I be selected to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor
The CIC draws the top candidates from the Express Entry pool and issues them an Invitation to Apply based on how many Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points they have obtained.
A perfect Comprehensive Ranking Score is 1200. An offer of arranged employment in Canada or a provincial nomination certificate is worth an amazing 600 points.
This means our Doctor Immigration experts at Emigrate Canada and your designated ICCRC Consultants need to work closely with you to maximise your overall CRS score.
Should you score over the current required minimum CRS score on your Express Entry then there is a very good chance you’ll be able to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor without a Job Offer or Provincial Nomination.
Should you score less than the current minimum our Doctor Immigration experts at Emigrate Canada will be looking to secure Provincial Nomination for you in the first instance as well as working closely with you to secure a Job Offer in Canada as a Doctor.
