Canada has announced a faster work permit process for eligible foreign trained doctors. The new system will allow some applications to be processed in just 14 days. This means that Pakistani doctors who qualify can now get their Canadian work permit much faster.
New 14-day work permit process
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the faster process is available for doctors who are nominated by a Canadian province or territory through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The 14-day timeline only applies to the work permit application. But it does not mean permanent residence will also be approved within 14 days.
Doctors who receive the work permit can start working in Canada while waiting for their permanent residence application to be decided.
Who can apply?
Applicants must have a full-time and non-seasonal job offer in one of these medical fields:
- General practitioners and family physicians
- Surgical specialists
- Clinical and laboratory medicine specialists
They also have to receive a letter of support from the province or territory that nominated them for permanent residence.
Documents applicants need
Doctors must apply online and submit all required documents.
The Canadian employer has to provide these:
- A valid employment contract or proof of employment
- An official offer of employment number
- Proof that the employer compliance fee has been paid
Applicants also have to complete a medical examination before applying. They may also need to provide biometrics if required.
Canadian officials say incomplete applications may not qualify for faster processing.
How to apply
Doctors must first get an eligible full-time job offer from a Canadian employer. They must then receive a support letter from the province or territory that nominates them for permanent residence.
After that, they can submit an online work permit application with all required documents. This includes medical examination results, employer documents and the required fees.
Pakistani doctors can apply if they meet all the professional and immigration requirements. However, having a medical degree from Pakistan is not enough to work as a doctor in Canada.
Foreign-trained doctors must first have their qualifications assessed. They must also get a licence from the medical regulator in the province or territory where they plan to work.
The licensing process can be different depending on the province, the doctor’s speciality, and previous work experience.
Doctors applying from outside Canada can also include their family members in the application.
