Requirements for J1 for FMG Canadian permanent resident.

M

MMJ12

New Member
I have got a Pediatrics residency position in USA and have to get a J1 visa for that. My country of citizenship is Pakistan and i also got my medical degree from there. I am done with my Canadian Immigration procedure and would be going to Canada soon for my Permanent Residence card.
I am confused about which country should I get my J1 from?
I don't know what are Canada's requirements from a FMG to issue a J1?
And even after completing residency and going to Canada for the 2-year required period, would I be able to practice there? Or its not a good idea after all and I should rather go to Pakistan, get my J1 and then go to Canada to get my Permanent Residence card?

Thanks
MMJ12
 
This is how I understand it (and I freely admit that I might be wrong):

- If 'health canada' sponsors you for the J1, you have to go to canada for the two year 'foreign residency requirement'. (Alternatively you could go to Pakistan)
- If the Pakistan ministry of health sponsors you for the J1, you HAVE to go to Pakistan.

The official wording is something like 'return to your last country of habitual residence or your country of citizenship.

To get a J1 sponsored from canada seems to be a bit easier than it used to be. In the past you had to proove that you had a job lined up after your return (but that was at a time when Canada officially had a surplus of physicians). In the end 'health canada' are the ones giving you the letter. You might have to go through the provincial health authorities to forward it.

As for how realistic it is to go north after a residency in the US, go to:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net
and look around in the 'canadian IMG's' forum. Many people there have exactly the same questions.

Moving up north as a FMG is challenging. You will need the following things:
- obtain permanent residency (done)
- write the MCC exams (no way around it for final licensure)
- write the RCPSC exam in your specialty (necessary for an independent license)

While planning your residency, keep these issues in mind. Go to the RCPSC website and look up the requirements they have for peds residency. It might involve more time, or certain procedures that are not part of the US board certification process. Most canadian residencies are 1 year longer, many canadians add a chief resident year or a fellowhip to fulfill the time requirements.

Stay away from Ontario ! They require a year of 'remedial training' to learn the 'ontarian way' of practicing medicine which is apparently entirely different from the rest of the world, including the other provinces. Places like BC, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba are far more accomodating to US qualified physicians.
 
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But I don't know what 'Health Canada' requires like ECFMG certificate or any other documents. Would I have to take any exam to get Letter of Need?
Is it possible that I get my Permanent Residence of Canada and then go to Pakistan to get J1 ( as ECFMG says ' country of last Permanent Residence' )
 
> But I don't know what 'Health Canada' requires

I don't know that. They might require you to have the MCC to show that you will be able to work as a physician. You will need your PR card for sure.

> Is it possible that I get my Permanent Residence of Canada and then
> go to Pakistan to get J1 ( as ECFMG says ' country of last
> Permanent Residence' )

You would have to go to Pakistan for your HRR then ! I hear you have very scenic mountains there. But somehow most pakistanis I know are pretty motivated NOT to return.
 
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