No, you won’t if your training was in the UK. There is a reciprocal agreement between the Royal Colleges of the UK and Ontario. You can usually be exempted from the first exam, but you do then have to complete a two part exam to get your full license, but this can be done while actually working in Canada under supervision. You can also complete the exams before you come and get your full license. There are threads out there that list the whole process.

Maybe you’ll spend $5k for the whole process (the dr’s part alone) not including any trips out etc. Expect it to take a 12-18 months to get out there depending on which route you take and visa’s etc.

We’re in Ontario and our clinic is actively recruiting if you like the active outdoor lifestyle? My husband is a FP, we came out five years ago.

Hello Olaajoke

I started my processing in Feb 2019 and I can verify the very slow pace. So far I have paid the following:
1. £100 in total, to the notary public for notarizing copies of my ID (passport and physicians apply ID form), Med Degree, CCT and MRCGP cert
2. I think it was £45 or thereabouts to DHL all documents to MCC in Ottawa, Canada
3. $285 to open a physicans apply account
3. $510 in total to physicians apply to start the source verification process via ECFMG

other pending/potential costs I have noted would be
-$500 + $1,500 to mcc for registration and processing
-payment to the respective provinces and their colleges/MRA?
-Rent/buying property
-utilities
-mobile phone charges
-internet charges
-car
-insurance (house, contents, car etc)
-annual CFPC license
-Indemnity
-other licenses
-groceries/sundries

I am interested in the Eastern provinces, specifically Ontario and NS provinces, as they appear to be less demanding in terms of reciprocity and starting work with minimal fuss. I have therefore not added bits like transcripts of my MD and postgrad training yet. Who knows this might change as I progress down the processing line. Also the journey back to the UK for visits does not seem as long from these parts.

yes, I was also quoted a wait of 12-18 months for processing of documents. I really would like to do the QE1 exam whilst in the uk so that i can limit the number of exams I need when/if I go to Ontario.

Nova Scotia is tempting as they accept MRCGP directly (once a letter of reciprocity is obtained from the CCFP, however I have heard they are the worst in terms of payments and taxation? Not very sure about this story as I have never been to Canada! They seem to have the same payment structure per patient and I was thinking an incorporated company might help with the taxation bit? I would value thoughts about this from Tirytory et al. Also NS offer full license immediately based on your MRCGP cert and 5years post graduation experience which I qualify in both.

In the interim as well as part time GP work, I am due to start a Pg Dip in Dermatology and will consider the Dip in Occ health. As well as that I work a few shifts a week in A/E. All this is in the hope that it might be of some benefit to my new life across the pond. Maybe/maybe not!

Let me know if you need the details of the notary public i used. Although she is a bit er, eccentric she was the cheapest quote of 8 in London and she did a solid job. It would be great to network with you also and hopefully support each other through this process?

Best wishes and good luck!

Just to add and amend details in my previous commentary.......


1. DHL: more than likely it was approx £35-ish. Sorry I can’t find the receipt
2. The $500+$1,500 fees are for registration and processing with the CCFP not MCC
3. Also forgot to add the costs of exams: MCCQE part 1 ($1,230) and part 2 ($2,570). The MCCEE exam has been scrapped.
4. Not sure about the cost of ECA/ Immigration processing

Not very sure but I’ll ask a friend and get back to you.

I think reciprocity and the exam exemption only applies to NS province. The others I believe require exams (either before applying or within a specific time frame after starting work as an IMG with limited license).

Really adds up!

PM me if you require contact details for the NS team (rep of CPSNS and rep of NS immigration). They will answer directly from their perspective. They also visit the UK annually to have 1:1 sessions with interested docs from all specialities which is how I managed to get accurate info (albeit a bit biased!)

I’ve responded to your PM.

i agree on that front. However, I am torn with the temptation of an exam free entry. Maybe I’m just a troublesome cynic but I am wary of anything that is touted as free...what’s the catch ☺️

From research and feedback from friends in Canada, there appears to be more negatives than positives when NS is mentioned

I think you would typically be paid less there and understandably there are fewer opportunities however the cost of living is also obviously lower. My only personal life experience in Canada has been in Ontario but there are a lot of members on here who live in NS.

I got your PM, thanks again. I think the preference would be for Ontario or BC really even if there is an extra cost involved but I’ve been looking into this one for someone else rather than me.

Again, I couldn’t agree more. It really depends on what one is looking for. I am a bit of a precious princess and will not thrive or survive in areas with exceptionally long and harsh winters. BC had to be pushed lower down the list purely due to the distance. Hopefully, I’ll be able to narrow down my choices with time and site visits.