This is among the top 3 questions I get asked about IMG-ing: How different is the landscape for IMGs in Canada compared to the US. While this question has many facets to it including but not limited to geography, politics and personal situation, below are some facts that I have gathered to compare the two systems.
Please note that for the purposes of this article I am strictly speaking about applying for a residency position. Physicians with pre-existing post-graduate training have other avenues they can explore in Canada. Also the information below is “at a glance” and the numbers are rough, for the sake of providing an approximation. Exact numbers may be different when you decide to apply.
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Canada
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USA
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Number of programs
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Only university programs. There are 17 medical universities in Canada that offer post grad medical training. If you exclude French programs, that shortens that number to 13-14 universities
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Both universities and community hospital offer post grad training which translates to hundreds of programs available to apply to
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Who can apply?
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Only Canadian citizens or Permanent residents. Must be graduates of medical school on World Directory of Medical Schools published by FAIMER
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Theoretically anyone who has completed the USMLEs. People can match and work on a number of visa combinations. Dont ask me more, the US visa system is too complicated for my brain
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How it works
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In first round, IMGs can only apply for seats earmarked for IMGs. All unmatched seats from first round are opened to both IMGs and CMGs in the second round. Please note there are some provincial differences in SK and QB
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All seats are open to both IMGs and local graduates. Some programs do make distinctions on how many IMG applicants they may take in total but on paper I believe every seat is open for application
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Exams required
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Keeps changing. At the time of writing this article, MCCQE1 and NACOSCE are mandatory. The MCCEE is being phased out. Updates at https://www.mccevolution.ca/international-students-graduates/assessment-overview/
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USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK and CS. Step 3 is optional
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Total approx exams costs
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$3735 CAD
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$2550 USD
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Word on the street
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“Impossible” to match as IMG
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Hard but worth the effort
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Success rate
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20% IMGs matched after both rounds in 2018 as per CARMS
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56.5% IMG matched as per ECFMG in 2018
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The Canadian IMG 
Thank you. This article is brief and very helpful. Saved me a hude amount of effort.
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is it not a good choice to become a GP in CANADA, comparing to the USA as for an IMG?
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Hi Zhe Wang. I am not sure if I can accurately answer your question. Certainly Family medicine is a great career in Canada, I do not have any stats to tell you how they compare to GPs in US
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Thank you so much, I’d like to become a GP. As for a surgeon, I don’t want to give up my profession
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Are MYANMAR medical schools involved in World Directory of Medical Schools published by FAIMER?
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