Are you an international medical graduate (IMG) dreaming of exploring the beauty of Canada or perhaps you already have a visitor visa in hand? Well, here’s some exciting news that might just make your stay even more incredible. Canada now offers you the incredible opportunity to transform your visitor visa into a fully paid visitor work visa or work permit while you’re right here in the Great White North. How amazing is that?
But wait, there’s a deadline you should mark on your calendar – make sure your work permit application is submitted by February 28th, 2025.
In today’s article, I’m going to guide you through the entire process of securing your work visa, break down the eligibility criteria, and give you the lowdown on the costs involved. This will help you establish yourself as a Doctor in Canada. So, whether you’re a current visa holder or you’re planning your Canadian adventure, let’s embark on this journey together and unlock the potential of your Canadian experience!
Visitor Visa/Plan Before Visiting
If you’re contemplating a move to Canada on a visitor visa, here’s a strategic move to consider: plan ahead and secure an observer ship in a hospital before you make the journey. Why, you ask? Well, because once you’re in Canada, it can be a bit trickier to find such opportunities, but if you’re already on Canadian soil, you’ll have a better chance at landing an observer ship.
Once you’ve touched down in Canada with your visitor visa, go about your usual activities, but don’t forget to pursue your observer ship as well. It’s essential to establish connections with Canadian consultants during this time. Share your qualifications and passion for your field to demonstrate what a strong applicant you are. Be on the lookout for paid job openings as well.
If you happen to be a recent graduate, you’re likely to find yourself in a research position. However, if you’ve already completed your residency in your home country, you might just be in the running for a paid clinical fellowship or, in rare cases, a fully-fledged attending physician or consultant position in Canada. Yes, it does happen!
I’ve witnessed these success stories firsthand. If you’re eager to discover whether you’re eligible and want a clear roadmap for the specific steps you need to take, visit www.imgsecrets.com and schedule an appointment. I’ll personally guide you through the precise actions required to maximize your chances of a successful application. Once you’ve landed the job, get ready for the application process, which may include an interview to seal the deal.
Job Interview & Offer
After acing the interview, you’ll receive a coveted job offer. The specifics of this offer may hinge on a labor market assessment, but here’s the great news for you, as an IMG – you won’t have to lose sleep over this. The hospital that’s keen to bring you on board will handle all the necessary paperwork and logistics. Your primary focus is to secure that job offer. Once you’ve achieved this milestone, it’s time to apply for a closed work permit.
Now, here’s the icing on the cake: Canada has generously extended this opportunity until February 28, 2025. Initially launched as a pilot program during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been prolonged due to critical labor market shortages. As an IMG, this extension opens up an extraordinary window of opportunity for you to land a well-paying job in Canada. Seize the moment!
Eligibility for Work Visa/Work Permit
Once you’ve submitted your application, the magic typically happens within a swift 30-day timeframe, and voila, you’ll have your work permit in hand. In the past, the process was far less convenient – if you happened to secure a job offer, you’d need to bid farewell to Canada, apply for a visa from outside the country, and then re-enter. But now, this entire transformative journey unfolds while you’re comfortably within Canada on your visitor visa. No need to pack your bags and say goodbye – you can stay put in Canada throughout the process. Isn’t this simply fantastic?
And here’s an extra perk: if you have a spouse accompanying you, they’ll be eligible for what’s known as an open work permit. In essence, it empowers them to seek employment across a wide spectrum of job opportunities. Finding a job, of course, may present its own challenges, but at least they’ll have the eligibility for an open work permit, opening doors to various possibilities
Is it possible for my family and me to secure permanent residency in Canada?
What makes this entire journey even more remarkable is that once you’ve secured a job successfully and gained one year of valuable work experience, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency. In my view, this is one of the most favorable pathways to attaining permanent residency in Canada, known as the Canadian Experience Class.
The beauty of it all is that when you obtain permanent residency in Canada, it’s not just about you; it’s a golden ticket for your entire family. Your spouse, your children – everyone becomes eligible to embark on their own journey to Canadian permanent residency, allowing you all to collectively join the ranks of Canadian PRs. It’s a remarkable opportunity for your entire family to call Canada your new home
Who qualifies for the transition from a visitor visa to a work visa?
- Essentially, any IMG holding a valid visitor visa on the day of application is eligible to make this transition – it’s that straightforward.
- And here’s the icing on the cake: there’s no age limit, which is fantastic news. Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or even beyond, this pathway remains open to you.
- Last but certainly not least, you must fulfill all the other standard criteria for entry into Canada and obtaining a work visa. This entails being a legal resident with the necessary qualifications and experience to match the specific job you’re pursuing
- The clock is ticking, and your application must be submitted by February 28, 2025, unless, of course, Canada decides to make any alterations to this rule in the future.
Of course, the most pivotal criterion, in my opinion, is securing a job offer. Without a doubt, having a bona fide job offer in hand is the linchpin of this opportunity.
Securing that job offer is like finding the missing puzzle piece that makes the entire application process seamlessly fall into place. To make sure you’re on the right track, it’s crucial to strategize well in advance, even before you set foot in Canada. This means securing an observer ship, honing your communication skills, and crafting a compelling application.
Planning ahead is the key to success, and that’s where we come in to assist you. You can always schedule an appointment at www.imgsecrets.com, where I’ll personally coach you through every step of the journey, ensuring your path to success is clear and well-guided.
What financial commitment does obtaining a work permit entail?
As for the cost, as of now, it’s roughly around 155 Canadian dollars for the closed work permit and an additional hundred dollars for the open work permit. Please note that these figures are current at the time of recording, and it’s possible that they might undergo some changes in the future. However, I don’t anticipate any significant deviations from the current rates.
Now, you might be wondering, where can you find these valuable observer ships? Well, Canada boasts 17 universities across a wide range of specialties that offer such opportunities. I’ve actually created a dedicated video on this topic, explaining the entire process of securing not just an observer ship, but eventually transitioning into a paid job once you’re in Canada.
If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to respond promptly. And if you ever need a more personalized consultation, don’t hesitate to book an appointment on www.imgsecrets.com. Take care, stay safe, and I look forward to speaking with you soon
Dr. Rajeev Iyer, MBBS, MD, FASA
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
The viewpoints expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not reflect the opinions of the University of Pennsylvania or any other affiliated organizations.
