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Eligibility and Supporting Document Requirements

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*Information for the 2021 Cycle will be posted by November 30, 2019


2020 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 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.

Applicant Identity Verification

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:

  • 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.

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:

  •  letter explaining the name inconsistencies in their supporting documents package.


If an applicant's signature differs within their supporting documentation, the applicant must provide:

  •  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.

Medical Education

All applicants must meet ONE of the following criteria:

  • have a 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 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, 2019.
  • be in the final year of 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, 2019.
  • be a graduate 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 15, 2019.

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.

Applicants whose degree will be conferred in 2019 must submit:

  • 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. 

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, 2020.

Status in Canada

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.

Provide a notarized copy of ONE of the following:
  • your Canadian Passport – must be valid and not expired as of May 30, 2019
  • 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.

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.

Alberta Residency

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.

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

There are four (4) parts to this proof:

 

1.   Alberta Residency Statutory Declaration

Form to be completed and notarized between May 1, 2019 – June 6, 2019. ALL fields must be completed. This form will be available on the Forms page on May 1, 2019.

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

2.   Official Letter of Employment OR Letter prepared by an accredited Educational Institution OR a Letter prepared by an eligible Guarantor

  • Original signed Letter(s) of Employment on employer’s letterhead. The letter must include the date* the letter was prepared, employee’s name and address, employment status (e.g. regular, casual, contract, etc.), date of hire (must be on or before December 1, 2018), and employer’s contact information. Letters offering employment and employment contracts will NOT be accepted. A sample employment letter can be found on the Forms page.
  •  Original signed letter(s) prepared by an accredited educational institution on institution letterhead. The letter must include the date* the letter was prepared, applicant’s name and address, course name(s), course start and end dates (must have begun on or before December 1, 2018), and instructor’s contact information.  A letter checklist can be found on the Forms page.  
  • Original signed letter(s) prepared by an eligible Guarantor on organization letterhead. Guarantor must be a person with recognized authority with an Alberta activity-based organization who can attest to the applicant's participation in the organization's activities. The letter must include the date* the letter was prepared, applicant’s name and address, and include the activity the applicant participated in, activity start and end dates (must have begun on or before December 1, 2018), organization identifiers and guarantor’s contact information.  A letter checklist can be found on the Forms page.

*Letters must be dated between May 1, 2019 – June 6, 2019.
 

3.   Alberta Operator’s Licence or Alberta photo identification card (non-operator’s) 

  • Notarized copy of applicant’s valid and up-to-date 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 Alberta Personal Health Card. Applicant must be currently eligible for Alberta Health Care Insurance coverage.

English Language Proficiency

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 test 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.

  • When booking an exam seat, consider the amount of time required to receive your results to avoid missing the application submission deadlines. Applicants taking an exam after mid-May 2019 should be aware that their results may not be available before the online application portal closes.  IELTS must be received by the AIMG Program office by the Supporting Documents submission deadline (June 6, 2019).
  • The AIMG Program does not process results sent directly from the testing centre.

B.   English language proficiency testing waived by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).  Please refer to www.cpsa.ca/language-proficiency. Please note: The AIMG Program will only recognize the Undergraduate Medical Education exemptions for this option.

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.

  • Provide a copy of the applicant's current IELTS Academic Version Test Report Form (TRF)
Provide the document most relevant to the CPSA exemption pertinent to you:
  • Copy of your medical school degree printed from your physiciansapply.ca account OR
  • Copy of your current medical school student identification card
OR
  • Copy of your most recent CPSA Practice Permit, effective date must be on or before May 30, 2019.

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 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.

  • Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE Part 1) Statement of Results

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.

  • Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE Part 1) Statement of Results.  A PASS standing must be achieved in this exam.
Applicants taking the exam during the July 2019 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 September 20, 2019 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.

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 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.

  • Medical Council of Canada NAC Statement of Results

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 share this document with the AIMG Program through physiciansapply.ca by the online application closing date of May 30, 2019 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 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. Documents must remain shared until CaRMS Match Day.

 Administrative Exceptions

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:

  • Exception requests must be sent via email to aimg@ucalgary.ca between May 1, 2019 – May 30, 2019, 3:30 PM MT with the subject line “Request for Administrative Exception” and a brief description of the nature of the request.
  • The File Review Committee will review your request and determine whether an exception is granted. Elapsed time to reach a decision may be several days.
  • The decision regarding whether your administrative exception request has been granted will be communicated to you via email with personalized instructions for your supporting documents package.
NOTE: Making a request for an Administrative Exception does not alter the Important Dates and Deadlines which all applicants must adhere.