Residency Training for International Medical Graduates
Non-Canadian International Medical Graduates
A limited number of residency training positions are available to non-Canadian international medical graduates who are sponsored under educational contractual agreements with the University of Calgary. Trainees must return to their home country upon completion of training.
International Medical School Graduates: who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada
To respond to Canadian societal needs and to address shortages of specialist positions in Canada, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has developed routes to enable qualified international medical graduates to obtain full Royal College certification.
In the Province of Alberta, the certification route requires that all potential candidates apply through the Alberta International Medical Graduate (AIMG) Program, which is a competitive and merit based assessment protocol to evaluate clinical skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to enter an Alberta Residency Training Program. On successful completion of the AIMG Program, candidates must then compete for available trainee positions through the second iteration of the Canadian Resident Matching Service.
Canadian students training in US Osteopathic Medical schools accredited by the COCA are eligible to apply for the 2nd iteration via the AIMG program and must meet all AIMG requirements.
International Medical School Graduates: who are Non-Canadians
There are no funded Residency Training Program positions at the University of Calgary for non-Canadian International Medical Graduates.
A limited number of trainee positions are available to non-Canadian International Medical Graduates who are sponsored through provisions provided under Educational Contractual Agreements with the University of Calgary. Sponsorship is arranged by the trainee with an organization (University, Hospital or Government Agency), typically within their home country, and includes an annual tuition fee plus the trainee’s salary at the same level as specified in the PARA Agreement for Canadian Residents. Sponsored trainees must return to their home country upon completion of training. Trainees cannot be self funded.
The Office of Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary screens all International Medical Graduate applicants to ensure that an Educational Contractual Agreement is in place and that applications contain all required documentation.
If accepted into the program, international trainees will require a time-limited Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once accepted for training, the PGME office will provide you with documentation required for your work permit application.
Labour Market Impact Assessment Form General Information
Candidates who wish to pursue Residency Training in a Subspecialty
On completion of primary (core) residency training in a country other than Canada, should you wish to further your training by entering a subspecialty residency training program and should you intend to write the certification examination in Canada, you must have your credentials assessed by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).
Providing you have been successful in your RCPSC assessment, you may be eligible for certification within both the primary (core) specialty and subspecialty residency training programs.
Please note that without RCPSC recognition of your primary specialty credentials, you will not be eligible for certification in a subspecialty.