Evaluation. Research. Support
Alberta Residency for International Medical Graduates
The AIMG Program is a competitive application process in Alberta, using a comprehensive assessment protocol to identify qualified applicants eligible for a limited number of defined residency positions.
Effective as of March 24, 2025 and announced by the Government of Alberta: For the 2026 application cycle, applicants will be eligible if they graduate by July 1, 2026.
Apply to the Program
Successful applicants have the opportunity to apply to IMG-designated, postgraduate residency positions (year one entry) in a number of disciplines at both the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. These residency positions are funded by the Alberta Government and align with recognized provincial physician resource needs.
Applications to the AIMG Program must be completed and submitted through the AIMG Program online application portal before the application deadline. A new application must be submitted each AIMG Program cycle for which the applicant wishes to be considered. Applications will not be rolled forward from cycle to cycle.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants to the Alberta International Medical Graduate (AIMG) Program 2026 Cycle must meet and provide supporting documentary evidence for all six (6) eligibility requirements below.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to review and adhere to these requirements every cycle as they may change.
Graduate of an undergraduate medical program which must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as being recognized in Canada.
Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These documents must be current and valid.
- 2 years full-time Alberta senior high school study, or
- 2 years full-time attendance, in person, at an accredited Alberta postsecondary institution, or
- Physical presence and continuously living in Alberta during the specified 24-week period.
Recent acceptable English language proficiency (ELP) test results or an exemption from ELP testing as per College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and in consultation with the AIMG Program.
Passing grade on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part 1.
Passing grade on the Medical Council of Canada NAC Exam. Last opportunity to take the exam is September of the application year.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Events relevant to the 2026 Cycle and 2025 Cycle are listed in the Calendar.
Applicants ensure current and acceptable proof of English language proficiency. Please refer to the English Language Proficiency (ELP) eligibility requirements.
Applicants must be permanently and continuously living in Alberta, and be able to provide accurate and adequate proof for the entirety of the time indicated, if using Option C. Please refer to the Residence in Alberta eligibility requirements.
Applicants apply to the AIMG Program by clicking Apply. Individuals must have completed, carefully reviewed, and submitted a Profile by 3:30pm MT May 30, 2025 to proceed in the AIMG Program application process.
An Administrative Exception (AE) can be requested within the applicant’s online application. AE requests will only be accepted until 3:30pm MT May 27, 2025 to allow time for processing before online application Profiles are locked at 3:30pm MT May 30, 2025.
An English Language Proficiency (ELP) Exemption Survey can be completed within the applicant’s online application.
How it Works
Program Cycle
Follow the AIMG Program cycle from pre-application activities through to the start of medical residency or Clinical Assessment Placement (for selected candidates who do not match in the current cycle).
Application Process
The application process requires the completion of an AIMG Program online application Profile, uploading and sharing of supporting documents, and payment of the application fee by the stipulated deadlines.
Assessments and Selection
Consist of a series of short, carefully timed, interview stations which draw multiple samples of a candidate’s ability to think on their feet, critically appraise information, effectively communicate their ideas, and demonstrate their insight into unique and complex scenarios.
IMG-designated residency positions in Alberta are matched through CaRMS. All IMGs (including those in their final year of medical school outside of Canada and the United States) must first apply to and be assessed by the AIMG Program, and must also register for the CaRMS match, in order to apply for these positions.
AIMG Program candidates who match to Alberta R-1 IMG-designated residency positions must complete Externship prior to being accepted as a resident. Externship is not intended as a training period – its sole purpose is to assess the Extern’s capabilities and readiness to enter into residency training in Alberta.
The Clinical Assessment Placement (CAP) is an AIMG Program-facilitated opportunity for randomly selected, eligible candidates to be assessed through two 2-week unpaid placements in clinical settings in Calgary, Edmonton, or a rural opportunity (TBD).
