AIMG PROGRAM COVID-19 UPDATE TO 2021 APPLICATION CYCLE: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, DATES AND DEADLINES: 
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Eligibility and Supporting Document Requirements

|   Applicant Identity Verification   |   Medical Education   |   Status In Canada   |   Residence in Alberta   |   English Language Proficiency   |   Medical Council Of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 1   |   Medical Council Of Canada NAC Exam   |

2021 Application Cycle Updates:

NOTE: The AIMG Program recognizes many applicants are unable to register for IELTS exams, as in-person testing centers are suspending test registration due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other testing centres are at capacity.  In continued response to support applicants, it has been determined through discussions with stakeholders, that effective immediately, the AIMG Program will accept the IELTS Indicator as proof of English Language Proficiency. While the format and mode of delivery for the IELTS Indicator is different, the score expectation remains the same: a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the components on a single test is required.  Applicants who have already taken and submitted their IELTS results, are not required to take the IELTS Indicator. All IELTS results are to be submitted by September 30, 2020, no exceptions. The IELTS Indicator is a temporary solution for applicants to use for the 2021 application cycle only.


NOTE: The AIMG Program online application portal deadline has been extended to 3:30 PM MT on July 24, 2020. 

NOTE: The AIMG Program online application portal has delayed opening until 9:00 AM MT on May 15, 2020.

The AIMG Program recognizes the Covid-19 pandemic could have a significant impact on potential applicants as a result of postponed examinations, uncertain timelines, and challenges with obtaining supporting documents for the 2021 Application Cycle. In an effort to support applicants, the Program is currently working with all stakeholders to determine possible modifications to the 2021 Application Cycle requirements. The AIMG Program will continue to update its website and Twitter feed regularly as more information becomes available. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

The AIMG Program 

2021 Application Introduction

Welcome to the 2021 application cycle!  While the eligibility requirements to apply have not changed, in response to COVID-19, we have made some modifications. 
  • The application process is on a new platform with the integrated functionality to UPLOAD specific application supporting documents online.  After submitting their 2021 Cycle application, applicant's will receive an "AIMG Program 2021 Cycle - Confirmation of Submission" email, which will include a link to access this page.
  • The administrative exceptions (AE) form is now accessible online in a separate webpage external to the application.  It is recommended that if applicants require this option, they do so after the application has been submitted.
  • Supporting documents deadlines have been extended.
  • Process for notarization has expanded to allow for virtual notarization.
     
Please refer to, and carefully review, the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist. 
 
*The current CaRMS deadline remains posted as November 18, 2020.  Please refer to the CaRMS website for further questions, information, and details at https://www.carms.ca/.  This date is subject to change and if so, all other dates will change accordingly.

To guide you in this new process, we will be creating video tutorials that will be added below, as they become available.



The AIMG Program thanks you in advance for your patience and understanding.  These are challenging times, and we have endeavored to accommodate applicants through the consideration of the above-mentioned modifications as they ease through this transition to the online application format.  Please reach out should you encounter any technical difficulties.

2021 Cycle


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 2021 Cycle application, all of the below is required:

  • Submission of the online AIMG Program application,
  • Submission of the supporting documents, and
  • Sharing of profile and documents through physiciansapply.ca

NEW this year: The application process is on a new platform with the integrated functionality to UPLOAD specific application supporting documents online. After you have submitted your 2021 Cycle application, and with the guidance of the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist, please refer to the Supporting Documents Upload page. Only applicant's who have received an "AIMG Program 2021 Cycle - Confirmation of Submission" email will be permitted to access this page.


Supporting documentation is comprised of documents which substantiate the information provided by the applicant on the AIMG Program online application form.

NOTE: Meeting the AIMG Program eligibility requirements listed here, in addition to completing a 2021 Cycle MMI will allow candidates to participate in the 2021 CaRMS match for IMG-designated residency positions in Alberta. Residency programs may ask for additional criteria over and above the AIMG Program eligibility requirements, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure these have been met.

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 ensure 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 as well as any inconsistencies within the applicants' supporting documents must be identified and addressed through the online survey provided on the Administrative Exceptions webpage which is available from May 15 until July 3, 2020. There is no need to request an administrative exception prior to application for the 2021 Cycle. 

Please refer to the COVID banner at the top of the webpage for changes regarding the 2021 Cycle.

Applicant Identity Verification

All AIMG Program applicants must have their identity verified. This is verfied through the online application process.  

Additional documentation is required if a Legal Change of Name and/or Name Variations appear within an applicant’s supporting documentation.

If an applicants' surname or given name(s) differs from what is within their supporting documentation to what is on their online 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:

  • marriage certificate and a certified English translation (if applicable)
  • “Change of Name” order issued by a Court of Competent Jurisdiction

NOTE: It is recommended to share these documents through physiciansapply.ca as they may also be required for your CaRMS application.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist 

If an applicant’s surname or given name(s) are different within their supporting documentation than on their online 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.


If an applicants' 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.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Medical Education

All applicants must meet ONE of the following criteria:

  • have an undergraduate medical degree (e.g., MD, MBBS, or MCChB) in allopathic medicine from a medical school not accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS), generally those outside of Canada and the United States. The medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and be recognized in Canada.
  • be in the final year of undergraduate study at a medical school outside of Canada and the United States which is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and is recognized in Canada. Applicants in the final year of medical school must have their degree conferred by December 31, 2020.
  • be in the final year of undergraduate study at an accredited Osteopathy school in the United States. Applicants in the final year of medical school must have their degree conferred by December 31, 2020.
  • be a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) of an accredited Osteopathy school in the United States.

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.

NOTE: degree must have a status of “Verification Returned: PASSED” by July 31 2020.

Access to this document must be shared with the AIMG Program by 3:30 PM MT May 29, 2020 or the application will be deemed incomplete.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist 

Applicants whose degree will be conferred in 2020 must submit:

  • A letter from their Dean on official stationary, confirming that their degree is expected to be conferred by December 31 2020 in their supporting documents package. 

NOTE: 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, 2021.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Status in Canada

All applicants to the 2021 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 (IRCC). Status achieved no later than December 01 2019.

Provide a notarized copy of ONE of the following:

  • your Canadian Passport – must be valid and not expired as of May 29 2020
  • your Canadian Citizenship Certificate (front AND back)
  • your Canadian Citizenship Card (front AND back).

Please be advised that the Citizenship Letter of Congratulations will not be accepted.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Provide a notarized copy of:

  • Your Permanent Resident Card (front AND back) – must be valid and not expired as of May 29 2020 and the ‘PR Since Date’ must be no later than December 01 2019.

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 29 2020 and must be in legible condition. The ‘Became P.R. on’ date must be no later than December 01 2019.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Residence in Alberta

Applicants to the 2021 Cycle of the AIMG Program must substantiate 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.   Physical presence at an accredited postsecondary institution in Alberta, in a full-time program for 2 or more years, totaling at minimum of 8 months per academic year.

C.   Physical presence and continuously living on a day-to-day basis in the province of Alberta for 24 weeks beginning December 01 2019 through to May 15 2020. Applicants using this criteria must be an Albertan: having valid Alberta government issued identification, maintaining identification from no other Canadian province or territory and whose current health care benefits are funded by Alberta Health.

NOTE: Option C may be used by prospective applicants who have met all requirements to graduate from medical school by November 30, 2019. This allows for those who are waiting to confer to be physically present and living on a day-to-day basis in Alberta. These applicants must submit the required supporting documents below indicating residence in Alberta AND provide a letter from the Dean of their medical school on official stationary, confirming that, by November 30, 2019, they have met all requirements needed to confer. 

Prospective applicants whose degrees have not been conferred by December 31 2019 and who do not meet the Alberta residency requirement by way of option A or B are not eligible to apply for the 2021 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.

The AIMG Program may require additional proofs for location of schooling. 

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

  • Official or a notarized copy of official transcript from an accredited postsecondary institution in Alberta AND
  • Official letter from an applicant's academic supervisor, from an accredited postsecondary institution confirming physical presence in Alberta for the duration of study. See Sample Supervisor Letter.

Both the transcript and letter must substantiate, at minimum, 8 months per academic year of full-time study for 2 or more years.

If the program was delivered through distance education, additional documentation may be required.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

There are four (4) parts to this proof:

 

1.   Residence in Alberta Statutory Declaration

Form to be completed and notarized between May 01 2020 – June 05 2020. ALL fields must be completed. This form will be available on the Forms page on May 01 2020.

NOTE: Applicants must have current and valid permanent resident status or citizenship in Canada prior to establishing residency in the province of Alberta.
 

2.   One or More Official Letter(s) Of:

  • Employment: Original signed Letter(s) of employment as per the sample employment letter. The letter(s) must include all required information. Date of hire must be on or before December 01 2019. Offers of employment letters will not be accepted. 
  • Education: Original signed letter(s) prepared by an accredited educational institution as per the sample education letter. The letter(s) must include all required information. Study start dates must have begun on or before December 01 2019. 
  • Community-Guarantor: Original signed letter(s) prepared by an eligible guarantor within a formal Alberta community activity0based organization. Guarantor must be a person with recognized authority who can attest to the applicants' participation in the organization's activities. The letter must include all required information as per the sample guarantor letter. Activity start date must be on or before December 01 2019.

NOTE: more than one letter may be provided if one letter does not cover the full residency in Alberta period required by the AIMG Program. All letters must be dated between May 01 2020 - June 05 2020. All letters are subject to source verfication. 
 

3.   Alberta Operator’s Licence OR Alberta Photo Identification Card (Non-Operator’s) 

  • Notarized copy of applicants' valid and current Alberta Operator’s Licence.
  • Notarized copy of 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.
 

4.   Alberta Personal Health Card

  • Notarized copy of the applicant’s valid and active Alberta Personal Health Card. Applicant must be currently eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance coverage.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

English Language Proficiency

All applicants must provide evidence of their English Language Proficiency (ELP); this must remain valid up to and including May of the match year. 

All applicants to the 2021 Cycle must provide valid and current evidence of English language proficiency by way of ONE of the following options:

A.   IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) exam test report form dated no earlier than May 01 2019 (result must be valid and current for 2021 Externship) AND minimum scores of 7.0 in each of the components on a single test.

NOTES:

  • Applicants who took an IELTS exam between April 13 2019 - April 30 2019 should refer to the Administrative Exceptions process.
  • Applicants have until September 30 2020 to submit their IELTS Academic test report form. There are no extensions or exceptions to this deadline. Enquiry on Results (EoR) will not be accepted after this deadline. 
  • Applicants are encouraged to include IELTS results in their supporting documents package by July 31 2020. 
  • The AIMG Program does not accept or process results sent directly from the testing centre; therefore do not submit results in this manner. 
  • The AIMG Program recognizes many applicants are unable to register for IELTS exams, as in-person testing centers are suspending test registration due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other testing centres are at capacity.  In continued response to support applicants, it has been determined through discussions with stakeholders, that effective immediately, the AIMG Program will accept the IELTS Indicator as proof of English Language Proficiency. While the format and mode of delivery for the IELTS Indicator is different, the score expectation remains the same: a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the components on a single test is required.  Applicants who have already taken and submitted their IELTS results, are not required to take the IELTS Indicator. All IELTS results are to be submitted by September 30, 2020, no exceptions. The IELTS Indicator is a temporary solution for applicants to use for the 2021 application cycle only

B.   Exemption from English language proficiency testing as per the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).  Please refer to www.cpsa.ca/language-proficiency.

NOTES: 

  • License related exemptions are subject to CPSA approval. Previous CPSA licensure does not guarantee an exemption, please contact the CPSA for further information.
  • The AIMG Program File Review Committee will verify your ELP status with the CPSA and determine final approval status.
  • CAP licensure obtained for 2020 will not be recognized as prior licensure for AIMG Program application to the 2021 Cycle. 

  • Provide a copy of the applicants' current IELTS Academic Version Test Report Form (TRF). IELTS results will be source verified. Results do NOT need to be notarized. 
See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist
Provide the document(s) most relevant to the exemption pertaining to you:
  • A copy of your medical school degree printed from your physiciansapply.ca account OR
  • A copy of your medical school transcript showing 50% or more of your medical education taken in a country where English is the first and native language OR
  • A copy of your most recent CPSA Practice Permit, effective date must be on or before May 29 2020.
Applicants are encourage to include any written communication with CPSA in their supporting documents package. 

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 1

All applicants must have a passing grade on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam (MCCQE) Part 1 by November 9, 2020. The last opportunity to take the exam and be eligible for the AIMG Program 2021 Cycle is July - September 2020.

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 29 2020 or the application will be deemed incomplete. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.

  • Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE Part 1) Statement of Results
See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Applicants who will take the Spring 2020 exam will have results pending until the Medical Council of Canada Central Examination Committee meets in June 2020. Access to the following document must be shared with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by July 31 2020. Document must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.

  • Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE Part 1) Statement of Results.  A PASS standing must be achieved in this exam.
See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Applicants taking the exam during the July-September 2020 session 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 MCCQE Part 1 exam. Print a copy and include it in your supporting documents package.
  • Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE Part 1) Statement of Results showing a PASS standing must be shared with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by November 9, 2020 or the application will be deemed incomplete. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.
NOTE: Applicants must have a PASS standing for the MCCQE Part 1 exam to be invited to participate in the AIMG Program MMI.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Medical Council of Canada NAC Exam

Applicants must have a PASS standing for the Medical Council of Canada National Assessment Collaboration exam to be eligible for the 2021 Cycle. The last possible date to take this exam for the current cycle is September 2020.

Access to this document must be shared with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by the online application closing date of May 29 2020 or the application will be deemed incomplete. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.

  • Medical Council of Canada NAC Statement of Results
See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

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 September 2020 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 2020.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist

Applicants who have a PASS standing AND plan to re-take the NAC exam must share this document with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by the online application closing date of May 29 2020 or the application will be deemed incomplete.

  • current Medical Council of Canada NAC Statement of Results showing a PASS standing

In addition, the applicant must register to re-take the NAC exam 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 September 2020 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 2020. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.

See the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist