How Doctors Can Immigrate to Canada, UK or Australia in 2026: Licensing, Exams & Visa Guide

Doctors are among the most in-demand professionals worldwide, and in 2026, countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia are actively recruiting international medical graduates (IMGs) to fill critical shortages. But the pathway from qualified doctor in your home country to practicing physician abroad is complex — involving credential assessments, licensing exams, supervised training, and immigration applications. This guide breaks down exactly how the process works in each country.

Canada: How Doctors Can Immigrate

The Medical Licensing Pathway

Canada has a well-defined process for International Medical Graduates. Here’s the step-by-step:

Step 1: Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Registration. Register with the MCC and verify your medical degree through the MCC’s source verification process. Your degree must be from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Step 2: Pass the MCCQE Part 1. The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 is a computer-based test covering clinical decision-making across all medical disciplines. It costs approximately CAD $1,440 and is offered year-round at Prometric test centers worldwide.

Step 3: NAC Examination. The National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) exam tests clinical skills through objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). It costs approximately CAD $2,390. This exam is essential for residency applications.

Step 4: Apply for Residency through CaRMS. The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) manages residency placements. IMGs apply in the second iteration (after Canadian graduates). Competition is intense — match rates for IMGs are significantly lower than for Canadian graduates. Provincial programs and return-of-service agreements can improve your chances.

Step 5: Complete Residency. Family medicine residency takes 2 years; specialty residency takes 4–5 years. During residency, you hold a training license and are paid a salary (typically CAD $60,000–$85,000/year).

Step 6: Pass MCCQE Part 2 and obtain licensure. After completing residency, pass the MCCQE Part 2 and apply for independent licensure in your province.

Immigration Pathway

Canada offers several immigration routes specifically favorable to doctors:

• Express Entry: Doctors score highly on the CRS due to education (PhD-equivalent points), language skills, and work experience. A provincial nomination adds 600 points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation. Read our Express Entry guide for the full breakdown.
• Provincial Nominee Programs: Many provinces have dedicated healthcare streams. Provinces like Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba actively recruit IMGs and offer expedited nomination for doctors willing to work in underserved areas.
• 2026 update: Canada launched a new Express Entry category specifically for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, making it easier for IMGs already in residency to transition to permanent residency.

Expected timeline: 3–5 years from initial exam registration to independent practice. Immigration can happen in parallel — many IMGs obtain PR during residency.

United Kingdom: How Doctors Can Immigrate

The Medical Licensing Pathway

Step 1: GMC Registration. Register with the General Medical Council (GMC). Your primary medical qualification must be recognized by the GMC. You’ll need to provide verified copies of your degree, internship, and any postgraduate qualifications.

Step 2: Pass the PLAB Tests. The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board exams consist of two parts. PLAB 1 is a written exam (cost: £282), and PLAB 2 is a clinical exam taken in the UK at the GMC’s clinical assessment center in Manchester (cost: £946). Alternatively, if you hold a postgraduate qualification (like MRCP, MRCS, or equivalent), you may be exempt from PLAB.

Step 3: Obtain GMC Registration with a Licence to Practise. After passing PLAB 2, apply for full GMC registration. You’ll need to demonstrate English language proficiency (IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in each band, or OET B in each component).

Step 4: Apply for NHS or Private Sector Positions. With GMC registration, you can apply for Foundation Year, specialty training, or staff grade/associate specialist positions. NHS jobs are listed on the NHS Jobs portal. The UK is actively recruiting doctors — particularly for Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, General Practice, and rural areas.

Immigration Pathway

• Health and Care Worker Visa: This is the primary route for doctors. It’s a variant of the Skilled Worker Visa with significant benefits: reduced visa fees, exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (saving £1,035/year), and faster processing. Your NHS employer acts as your sponsor.
• Salary threshold: Doctors typically earn well above the minimum salary requirements. Foundation Year 1 doctors earn approximately £32,398, rising significantly with experience and specialty.
• Settlement: After 5 years on the Health and Care Worker Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency).

Expected timeline: 6–12 months from PLAB preparation to employment. The Health and Care Worker Visa is typically processed within 3 weeks.

Australia: How Doctors Can Immigrate

The Medical Licensing Pathway

Step 1: AHPRA and Medical Board Registration. Apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration. The Medical Board of Australia assesses your qualifications.

Step 2: Choose your pathway. Australia offers multiple pathways depending on your qualifications:

• Standard Pathway: Pass the AMC (Australian Medical Council) CAT MCQ exam, then the AMC Clinical Exam. After passing, you receive limited registration and must complete a 12-month supervised internship.
• Specialist Pathway: If you’re already a specialist, your college (e.g., RACP, RACS) assesses your qualifications directly. Many specialists can receive fellowship or limited registration without the AMC exams.
• Competent Authority Pathway: For doctors trained in the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, or New Zealand — an expedited assessment pathway.

Step 3: Complete supervised practice. Most IMGs start on limited or provisional registration, requiring supervision. After 12–24 months of satisfactory supervised practice, you can apply for general registration.

Step 4: Obtain general or specialist registration. Full registration with AHPRA allows you to practice independently anywhere in Australia.

Immigration Pathway

• Skilled Migration (189/190/491): Doctors are on Australia’s priority occupation lists and score highly in the points-based system. Medical practitioners consistently receive invitations at lower point thresholds than many other occupations.
• Employer Nomination (Subclass 482/186): Hospitals and health services can sponsor doctors directly. The Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa leads to the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) for permanent residency.
• District of Workforce Shortage: Doctors willing to work in rural and remote areas can access expedited visa pathways and additional Medicare provider numbers. Many IMGs start in regional areas to build their Australian experience and career.

Expected timeline: 1–3 years depending on the pathway. Specialists through the competent authority pathway can start working in months.

Country Comparison for Doctors

Tips for Doctor Immigration

Start your English test early. All three countries require high English scores (IELTS 7.0+ in every band or OET B). Medical-specific English tests like the OET are often preferred because they use healthcare scenarios you’re already familiar with.

Consider rural and regional areas. All three countries offer incentives for doctors willing to work outside major cities — faster visa processing, financial bonuses, and fewer restrictions. This is often the fastest path to getting established.

Apply to multiple countries simultaneously. The licensing exams and English tests are separate for each country, but your underlying medical qualification and experience apply everywhere. Many doctors apply to 2–3 countries and proceed with whichever processes fastest.

Join doctor immigration communities. Online forums and social media groups for IMGs in each country provide invaluable real-time advice on exam preparation, residency applications, and immigration timelines from people who’ve been through the process.

Budget for the full journey. Beyond exam and visa fees, factor in study materials, travel for clinical exams, credential verification costs, and living expenses during the transition period. A realistic budget for the full process is $10,000–$20,000 depending on the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country is fastest for doctors?

The UK is typically the fastest route to practicing medicine. With PLAB exams completed, GMC registration, and a Health and Care Worker Visa, you can be working in the NHS within 6–12 months. Australia is next fastest, particularly through the specialist or competent authority pathways. Canada is slowest due to mandatory residency requirements through CaRMS.

Can I practice immediately while my license is processed?

Not independently. In the UK, you can start working as soon as you have GMC registration (after PLAB). In Australia, limited registration allows supervised practice while you complete requirements. In Canada, you cannot practice until you match into and begin residency — the pre-residency period involves no clinical work.

Which country pays doctors the most?

Canada generally offers the highest compensation for doctors, particularly for specialists in private practice. Australian doctors earn strong salaries with favorable tax rates. UK salaries are lower in absolute terms but come with benefits like the NHS pension, no medical school debt (for those who trained there), and lower cost of living outside London.

Doctor immigration requires patience and planning, but the rewards are substantial. All three countries face significant physician shortages, meaning qualified IMGs who complete the licensing process are virtually guaranteed employment. Start with the licensing exams, pursue immigration in parallel, and be open to regional placements — they’re often the fastest and most rewarding path.

Related reading: Express Entry Canada 2026 | UK Skilled Worker Visa | Australian PR Guide | IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL