Hi Laura,

The process maybe different and slightly quicker for your husband as he's a surgeon, I honestly don't know. Steve hasn't done any exams yet, as he can work with a sort of loose supervision, someone to check in with until he's completed them. I'm not sure if there is a time frame he needs to complete them in. I guess once we've or he's decided that we want to work and live there long term, as yes, the exams cost, I think the first part was cheaper and I'm fairly sure that he said something about $900 for the second part. Hopefully from our visit there, these costs should not be a problem, even though I'm probably not going to work for a while. Steve also is concerned about having to sit exams again, and me having to live with him while he does them!! I suppose the only thing about it taking so long, the costs of verification, licensing, joining the colleges has been absorbed along the way. They are probably similar costs to what you would need to do in the UK I guess. It has always seemed to me to be an expensive thing being a doctor!!!! Will your husband be looking to find an obs and gynae position? Health Force Ontario are the government agency involved in recruitment of nurses/medics and were very helpful telling us what we needed to do and sending cv's out etc. I think it's Health Match BC for err British Columbia .

We looked at Alberta (very keen to "help" doctors out there, in terms of flying you out, shipping etc) and British Columbia, but eventually settled on Ontario to apply to, a combination of climate, flight time, and just a feel for a place. Even within Ontario, it's a minefield wondering where you want to settle, and lots of google maps, street view, mls.ca (housing website). Eventually it was the job that settled it as it does.

Don't be daunted though, you might not be over there as soon as you think, but it does go quickly, especially life with kids etc. As I said, I've probably caused a few months delay because I've got cold feet a couple of times, and we didn't get the work permit sorted out quickly enough with upfront medical so I'm sure it's definitely possible to be quicker than us!!! I think Segs on here seems to be slightly more clued up...

Vicki.

Edited to add..... From CV's sent out from HFO, we had responses within a week or two, and a choice of maybe four places in the end that were suitable.