The following is the list of eligibility and supporting document requirements for all applicants to the Alberta International Medical Graduate (AIMG) Program. To complete the 2020 Cycle application, submission of the online AIMG Program application, submission of the supporting documents package and document sharing through physiciansapply.ca are all required. Supporting documentation is comprised of documents which substantiate the information provided by the applicant on the AIMG Program online application form.
Applicants should confirm that they meet the intake criteria for Alberta IMG-designated positions through CaRMS before initiating an AIMG Program application.
Please be familiar with the Application Process and “The Fine Print” (Terms and Conditions, Rules of Conduct, Document Notarization, and Application Fee) along with these Eligibility and Supporting Document Requirements before preparing an application.
Administrative Exceptions: It is the responsibility of the applicant to insure their supporting documentation substantiates the information provided on their AIMG Program online application form. Any exceptions to the supporting document requirements described for each eligibility requirement and any inconsistencies within the applicant’s supporting documents package must be identified and an Administrative Exception requested in writing to aimg@ucalgary.ca between May 1, 2019 – May 30, 2019, 3:30 PM MT. If an administrative exception has not been granted the application may be deemed ineligible.
NOTE: Meeting the eligibility requirements listed here and a 2020 Cycle MMI score will allow candidates to participate in the 2020 CaRMS match for IMG-designated residency positions in Alberta. Residency programs may ask for additional criteria over and above the AIMG Program eligibility requirements.
All AIMG Program applicants must have their identity verified in the presence of an Alberta Notary Public using the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program – Applicant Identity Verification form. The form must be notarized by a Notary Public in the province of Alberta between December 1, 2018 and June 6, 2019. Documents certified by a Commissioner for Oaths will not be accepted.
The name used on the Applicant Identity Verification form must be the same as the name submitted on the online application form.
A passport size (50mm x 70mm) photograph of the applicant, taken within six (6) months of the online application close, is required to be attached to this form.
Additional documentation is required if a Legal Change of Name and/or Name Variations appear within an applicant’s supporting documentation.
If an applicant’s surname or given name(s) differ within their supporting documentation from what is on their application form, and the name is a legal name change, a notarized copy of ONE of the following must be provided in the supporting documents package or shared through physiciansapply.ca:
NOTE: It is recommended to share these documents through physiciansapply.ca as they may also be required for your CaRMS application.
If an applicant’s surname or given names are different within their supporting documentation than on their application form, and the differences are not the result of a legal name change, the applicant must provide a letter explaining the name inconsistencies in their supporting documents package. The AIMG Program reserves the right to request further documentation. A sample name or signature variations letter can be found on the Forms page. If an applicant's signature differs within their supporting documentation, the applicant must provide a letter explaining the signature inconsistencies in their supporting documents package. The AIMG Program reserves the right to request further documentation. A sample name or signature variations letter can be found on the Forms page.
All applicants must meet ONE of the following criteria:
To check whether a medical school is recognized in Canada, locate the school in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and click on the Sponsor Notes tab. A note for “Canada” indicates that the medical school is recognized in Canada. It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify that the diploma-granting medical school meets the requirements stated above.
Applicant must provide proof of completion of their medical degree by sharing access of their medical degree within physiciansapply.ca with the AIMG Program. The status of the document must be at least “Reviewed and accepted” at the time of application.
Access to this document must be shared with the AIMG Program by 3:30 p.m. MT May 30, 2019 or the application will be deemed incomplete. The degree must have a status of “Verification Returned: PASSED” by July 15, 2019.
Applicants whose degree will be conferred in 2019 must submit a letter from their Dean on official stationary, confirming that their degree is expected to be conferred by December 31, 2019 in their supporting documents package. The official degree must be housed within physiciansapply.ca, access shared with the AIMG Program and the source verification process started (status “Reviewed and accepted”) by January 15, 2020.
All applicants to the 2020 Cycle of the AIMG Program must be either a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Status achieved no later than December 1, 2018.
Please be advised that the Citizenship Letter of Congratulations will not be accepted.
Provide a notarized copy of their Permanent Resident Card (front AND back) – must be valid and not expired as of May 30, 2019 and the ‘PR Since Date’ must be no later than December 1, 2018.
NOTE: Applicants who are awaiting receipt of their Permanent Resident Card may submit a notarized copy of their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) – which must be valid (not expired) as of May 30, 2019 and must be legible. The ‘Became P.R. on’ date must be no later than December 1, 2018.
Applicants to the 2020 Cycle of the AIMG Program must demonstrate that they are an Albertan by ONE of the following methods:
A. Full-time attendance at an accredited Alberta senior high school for 2 or more years, at least two semesters per academic year.
B. Full-time attendance at an accredited postsecondary institution in Alberta in an undergraduate program for 2 or more years; at least two semesters per academic year.
C. Physical presence and continuously living on a day-to-day basis in the province of Alberta for the 24 weeks beginning December 1, 2018 through to May 18, 2019. Applicants using this criteria must be an Albertan: having valid Alberta government issued identification (i.e. driver’s licence, ID card), maintaining identification from no other Canadian province or territory and whose current health care benefits are funded by Alberta Health.
NOTE: Prospective applicants whose degrees have not been conferred by December 31, 2018 and who do not meet the Alberta residency requirement by way of option A or B are not eligible to apply for the 2020 Cycle.
Official or a notarized copy of official Alberta Senior High School Transcript in the revised format, implemented in 2015. A “Detailed Academic Report” is not required.
Transcript must prove at least two semesters per academic year of full-time study.
If the program was delivered through distance education, additional documentation may be required.
Official or a notarized copy of your official undergraduate program transcript from an accredited postsecondary institution in Alberta.
Transcript must prove at least two semesters per academic year of full-time study for 2 or more years.
AIMG Program Alberta Residency Statutory Declaration form can be found on the Forms page. Form to be completed between May 1, 2019 – June 6, 2019. All fields must be completed and the form notarized. This form will be available online on May 1, 2019.
NOTE: Applicants must have permanent resident status or citizenship in Canada prior to establishing residency in the province of Alberta.
*Letters must be dated between May 1, 2019 – June 6, 2019.
Notarized copy of applicant’s valid and up-to-date Alberta Operator’s Licence OR Alberta photo identification card (non-operator’s). Card must show your current address as per Service Alberta - Update Driving documents.
NOTE: Interim licences or interim ID cards will NOT be accepted.
Notarized copy of the applicant’s valid Alberta Personal Health Card. Applicant must be currently eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance coverage.
The AIMG Program aligns its requirements for proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) with those of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). All applicants must provide CPSA-acceptable evidence of their ELP; this must remain valid up to and including May 1 of the match year. For more information, please refer to www.cpsa.ca/language-proficiency.
All applicants to the 2020 Cycle must provide current evidence of English language proficiency by way of ONE of the following options:
A. IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) exam results dated no earlier than April 26, 2018 (result must be valid for 2020 Externship) AND minimum scores of 7.0 in each of the components on a single test.
B. English language proficiency testing waived by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). Please refer to www.cpsa.ca/language-proficiency.
NOTES:
All applicants must have a passing grade on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam (MCCQE) Part 1 by mid-September 2019. The last opportunity to take the exam and be eligible for the AIMG Program 2020 Cycle is July 2019. Applicants and future applicants are urged to refer to Exam Timelines for scenarios based on graduation date to assist in planning an AIMG Program application.
Access to the following document must be shared with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by the online application closing date of May 30, 2019 or the application will be deemed incomplete. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.
Applicants who will take the Spring 2019 exam will have results pending until the Medical Council of Canada Central Examination Committee meets in June 2019. Access to the following document must be shared with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by July 15, 2019. Document must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.
Applicants must have a PASS standing for the Medical Council of Canada National Assessment Collaboration exam to be eligible for the 2020 Cycle. The last possible date to take this exam for the current cycle is Fall 2019.
Access to this document must be shared with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by the online application closing date of May 30, 2019 or the application will be deemed incomplete. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.
Applicants who do not have a PASS standing for the NAC exam must register through physiciansapply.ca. Once registered, the applicant will be issued a payment transaction receipt in PDF format in their “Account History”.
This receipt is your proof of registration for the Fall 2019 NAC exam. Print a copy and include it in your supporting documents package.
Applicants must have a PASS standing for the NAC exam when the AIMG Program submits the final CaRMS eligibility list in November.
Applicants who have a PASS standing AND plan to re-take the NAC exam must register through physiciansapply.ca. Once registered, the applicant will be issued a payment transaction receipt in PDF format in their “Account History”.
This receipt is your proof of registration for the Fall 2019 NAC exam. Print a copy and include it in your supporting documents package. In addition, access to your current PASS standing must be shared with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by the online application closing date of May 30, 2019 or the application will be deemed incomplete. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.
Applicants may request an exception to any of the supporting document requirements (i.e. cannot share exam results on physiciansapply.ca; unable to have documents notarized in Alberta; require more than one type of letter to prove Alberta residency). The exception process is listed below: