United Kingdom Family Physicians Can Immigrate to Canada

2.45 minute read

"The number of international family physicians choosing to immigrate to Canada has steadily increased over the years. Family physicians from the United Kingdom immigrate to Canada to practice medicine with less administrative restrictions and enjoy a better quality of life. In Canada, an experienced physician can earn up to $281,000 per year with added benefits of universal healthcare, subsidized education for their children and excellent work benefits."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Apr 16, 2021

The number of international family physicians choosing to immigrate to Canada has steadily increased over the years.

Family physicians from the United Kingdom immigrate to Canada to practice medicine with less administrative restrictions and enjoy a better quality of life.

In Canada, an experienced physician can earn up to $281,000 per year with added benefits of universal healthcare, subsidized education for their children and excellent work benefits.

Canada is also one of the most welcoming countries for immigrants. It provides multicultural communities making it easier for you and your family to settle down.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of family physicians immigrating fell sharply in 2020. However, there are still many opportunities and immigration pathways for physicians to practice medicine in Canada.

What are the Available Options for Immigration to Canada for Family Physicians?

As a family physician, you can choose to immigrate through the federal Express Entry system, which manages applications for 3 federal economic immigration programs:

Family physicians may be eligible for the FSWP or the CEC based on their work experience.

Physicians can also opt for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which is offered by 9 Canadian provinces and 2 territories, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut.

Each province or territory’s PNP nominates applicants with skills and experience relevant to the labor market needs of their individual regions.

These PNPs also offer immigration streams aligned with the Express Entry system that help the provinces nominate highly skilled applicants from the Express Entry pool.

Physicians can apply for specific PNP streams that encourage the immigration of medical professionals. For example, the Physician Stream offered by Nova Scotia, etc.

Check out our Express Entry Draw Updates

How Can a Foreign Physician Start Practicing Medicine in Canada?

The Ottawa-based Medical Council of Canada sets the precedent for all physicians, including the immigrating physicians to Canada.

The MCC is responsible for granting qualifications in medicine, known as the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) to medical graduates who meet certain criteria.

It does not, however, issue licenses to physicians. Those are issued by the provincial or territorial medical regulatory authorities.

To get the LMCC, applicants must:

Pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I and Part 2 or have a foreign equivalent deemed comparable

Complete at least 1 year of post-graduate training or an acceptable equivalent

If you have been issued an LMCC, the next step is to enroll in the Canadian Medical Register. This will make you eligible to receive a full license from any province or territory.

As a family physician, if you are applying for a license for the first time, you must meet the following conditions:

Have a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools

Receive an LMCC from the Medical Council of Canada

Have the required post-graduate training in allopathic medication or an equivalent recognized by a designated authority

Receive certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the Collège des médecins du Québec

These conditions are only applicable for a full license. Many family physicians start practicing after receiving a provincial license.

The requirements to gain a provincial license vary from province to province. Therefore, it is recommended that physicians consider where they wish to settle down in Canada before applying for immigration.