To qualify for an elective at McGill University, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a medical doctor.
• You must be registered in a residency or fellowship program.
• If you are a resident physician, or if you are a fellow but do not yet have your specialist certificate, you must have a proof of Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE ) or USMLE / Step 2 CK - it is required by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).
  • If you are a fellow and have your specialist certificate, you must provide your specialist certificate.
• You must have made prior arrangements with the medical department where you'd like to do an elective.
• Foreign national’s eligibility:
  - Passport valid throughout the elective.
  - Valid work authorization throughout the elective.
   

IMPORTANT:

The elective application and required documents must be received by the McGill PGME Office four months prior to the onset of the elective rotation. Unfortunately, we will not consider applications that are late or that are missing documents.

No attestation letter will be issued at the end of the elective period.
 

DURATION:

Foreign nationals applying from an international university can participate in a visiting elective for a minimum duration of one period (=28 days) and maximum of 3 months 

Work authorization for Electives   

All international residents and fellows must obtain a work authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to legally work in Canada. They are considered foreign workers and not students by IRCC. Do not apply for a study permit.
 

If applying for 1 elective (30 days maximum)    

International residents and fellows coming to McGill University for a visiting elective for a maximum of 30 days may qualify to work without a work permit. This work permit exemption allows foreign nationals to work in Canada without a work permit in high-skilled positions. It is valid for a maximum of 30 consecutive days following entry to Canada. It can only be used once every 12 months. 
Citizens of visa-exempt countries can obtain this authorization directly at the airport upon arrival. They must still obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) - except for citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States. Citizens of visa-required countries must apply for a visa in advance.

If applying for 2-3 elective (3 months maximum)

International residents and fellows coming to McGill University for a visiting elective for more than 30 days must obtain a work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to legally work in Canada. It is your responsibility to apply for a work permit and maintain a valid work permit for the entire duration of your elective period in Canada.  

If you hold or are eligible for an open work permit, please inform the Postgraduate Medical Education Office at pgme-immigration.med [at] mcgill.ca, which will confirm if it can be used for your elective. Otherwise, international residents and fellows coming to McGill University for a visiting elective for more than 30 days are eligible for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt, an employer-specific work permit under exemption code C45 - Foreign medical residents and medical fellows. You do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), nor a Quebec Certificate of Acceptance (Certificat d’acceptation du Québec). For more information on how to apply for a work permit under exemption code C45 – Foreign medical residents and medical fellows, please visit our website here.

McGill University’s immigration advisors are available to assist you in your immigration process and answer any questions. 

Application Process:

• Please contact the McGill department where you'd like to do your elective to ensure the team can accommodate your elective request. Follow the link to access the Residency Program Contact List. For rural sites, please read here.
  • Submit your application using the Request and Payment Form and pay the application fee. Note the application fee is non-refundable.

    Processing fees
    Number of Periods	Foreign nationals	Canadians
    1	$1,000	$500
    2	$1,800	$1,000
    3	$2,500	$1,500

• If you are a foreign national:
  • Verify if you require a work permit. You require a work permit if your Visiting Elective will last more than 30 consecutive days
  • If you do not require a work permit, verify if you require a visa to enter Canada. If yes, please apply online. 
  • If you do not require a visa, obtain an eTA online.
  • All foreign nationals, where they are coming under  a work permit or 30-day work authorization MUST pass a medical exam. Book an appointment by clicking on this link.

Required Documents:

• Copy of your medical degree (with English translation, if applicable).  *Canadian Medical Graduates - you also must create an account and register on physiciansapply.ca. Then submit a copy of your MD diploma to physiciansapply.ca.
• Proof of Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE ) or USMLE / Step 2 CK 
• Proof of Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) malpractice insurance coverage – you can apply for CMPA insurance here. If you don't have a Canadian bank account, call the CMPA, describe your situation (elective at McGill) and ask for an alternative way to pay.
• Copy of your CV.
• Copy of your valid passport.
• Have your program director write a letter of support and funding, indicating your salary will be maintained during your elective period. This letter must include the precise start and end dates of your elective as well as the elective program's name. The letter must be sent by e-mail directly from your university on official letterhead to pgmeelectives [at] mcgill.ca.
• License to practice medicine

Please note: Before any applicant information is shared with the McGill program, trainees will be required to review and sign a consent form, which will be provided upon submission of their application.
 

Eligibility for Licensure:

• You must obtain a Letter of Eligibility from the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). The PGME office will submit an application for the Letter of Eligibility, but the trainee must open an account with physiciansapply, submit the required documents for verification, and pay the additional application fees.
• You must obtain a training card from the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). The CMQ will send you instructions upon receipt of the required documents from McGill.

Immigration Documents required at the port of entry:

• If a work permit was required, you must bring with you the letter of introduction from the IRCC confirming that the work permit is approved or you must have verified that you can apply for the work permit at the port of entry.  
• If you do not require a work permit, make sure you have a valid visa or eTA as required.
• The medical exam’s results will be entered in the immigration internal system within a week. However, please bring your eMedical information sheet in case the immigration office asks for it.
• McGill support letter or confirmation email.
• Support letter from home program.
• Passport valid throughout the elective.
• Letter of Eligibility from the Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ).

Immigration FAQ

1. How long will it take to get my visa or work permit approved? Processing time link for your visa application.
2. Do I need a visa? Countries which require a visa are listed here.
3. Do I need to pass a medical exam even if a visa is not required? Yes, since you will have direct contact with patients you must pass a medical exam before entering Canada.

If you have any questions, please contact Annie Baldessari at pgmeelectives [at] mcgill.ca


Foreign Workers Rights

In Canada, the rights of all workers—including temporary foreign workers—are protected by law. As a temporary foreign worker, you have the same rights and workplace protections as Canadians and permanent residents. Please follow this link to read more about them: Foreign workers in Canada - Know your rights