Postgraduate Elective Training – International Learners

Eligibility

Must be currently registered and in good standing with their residency or clinical fellowship program. 

• The learner must be at a PGY2 level. 
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Must be eligible for and maintain a Postgraduate Education Certificate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) if their residency training is outside of Ontario. Residents training within Ontario must maintain their existing Postgraduate Education Certificate 
• Pre-approval must be obtained from the following, prior to submitting an elective application:
  • Your home institution program director
  • The elective preceptor or supervisor
  • The University of Toronto program director
• Duration of Elective must not exceed 3 months (90 days)

Key Details

• Application Timeline: Applications must be submitted at least 3 months (90 days) before the start date of your elective.
• Requirements: Learners must email the program they wish to complete an elective in at the University of Toronto to obtain all necessary application information and next steps. For program contact information please use the Residency & Fellowship Program Director Directory
  • Applicants will be required to provide the following documents:
    • U of T PD Letter of Support
    • Home Institution PD Letter of Support
    • Up-To-Date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Medical School Degree (MD)
    • Proof of Current Citizenship (e.g., copy or photo of your valid passport)
    • Proof of Payment - Elective Administrative Processing Fee (e.g., official receipt/invoice)
    • Proof of CMPA Statement of Coverage
    • Copy of Current Medical license from Canadian or US jurisdiction
• Submission Process:  Email the program administrator at the University of Toronto with a complete elective application package. Ensure all required documents are included and combined into a single PDF file. The program administrator will then forward the complete application to the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office for review and final approval.
• Elective Administration Processing Fee: $100 CAD per academic year (non-refundable)*
  *Approved by the U of T Governing Council – Business Board

All applicants must pay the non-refundable administrative processing fee as part of their application.

How to pay the Elective Administration Processing Fee:

Go to the Payment Portal by clicking: International Learners (with a valid Ontario work permit) Elective Administration Processing Fee 

• Select “I have an account already” or “New User” 
• Login using your username and password (case sensitive)
• Select “Administration Processing Fee” and click “Continue”
• Add the academic year (e.g., 2025–2026 if your elective occurs in that academic year.) as an add-on, select continue and complete payment. 

NOTE: Ensure you keep a copy of your payment receipt and include it as part of your application.

Certificate: NOT issued for elective training completion. 

Eligibility

• The learner must be currently registered and in good standing with their residency program.
• The learner must be at a PGY2 level.
• Must meet eligibility for licensure for a Postgraduate Education Certificate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). 
• Pre-approval must be obtained from the following, prior to submitting an elective application
  • Your home institution program director
  • The elective preceptor or supervisor
  • The University of Toronto program director
• Duration of Elective must not exceed 3 months (90 days)

Key Details

• Application Timeline: Applications must be submitted at least 4-6 months (120-180 days) before the start date of your elective.
• Requirements: Learners must email the program they wish to complete an elective in at the University of Toronto to obtain all necessary application information and next steps. For program contact information please use the Residency & Fellowship Program Director Directory
  • Applicants will be required to provide the following documents:
    • U of T PD letter of support
    • Home Institution PD letter of support
    • Up-To-Date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Medical School Degree (MD)
    • Proof of current citizenship (e.g., copy or photo of your valid passport)
    • Proof of Payment - Elective Administrative Processing Fee (e.g., official receipt/invoice)
    • Proof of Payment - Visa Processing Fee
    • Confirmation of Funding Letter
    • Copy of Current Medical license from Canadian or US jurisdiction
    • Proof of CMPA Statement of Coverage 
• Submission Process:  Email the program administrator at the University of Toronto with a complete elective application package. Ensure all required documents are included and combined into a single PDF file. The program administrator will then forward the complete application to the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office for review and final approval.
• Elective Administration Processing Fee: $200 CAD per academic year (non-refundable)*
  *Approved by the U of T Governing Council – Business Board

How to pay the Elective Administration Processing Fee:

Go to the Payment Portal by clicking: International Learners (without a valid Ontario work permit) Elective Administration Processing Fee

• Select “I have an account already” or “New User” 
• Login using your username and password (case sensitive)
• Select “Administration Processing Fee” and click “Continue”
• Add the academic year (e.g., 2025–2026 if your elective occurs in that academic year.) as an add-on, select continue and complete payment. 

NOTE: Ensure you keep a copy of your payment receipt and include it as part of your application.

PGME Visa Processing Fee: $185 CAD (non-refundable)*
*Subject to annual increases

Learners who require an Ontario work permit will be subject to a PGME visa processing fee.

• Visa Fee First-time Applicants: The standard visa processing fee applies.
• For Returning Applicants: The fee also applies to those who have previously completed an elective and are applying for an additional elective.

Certificate: NOT issued for elective training completion.

Eligibility

• The learner must be currently registered and in good standing with their residency training program.
• Must meet eligibility for licensure for a Postgraduate Education Certificate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), which may require review by the CPSO Registration Committee.
• The learner must be at a PGY2 level
• Pre-approval must be obtained from the following, prior to submitting an elective application
  • Your home institution program director
  • The elective preceptor or supervisor
  • The University of Toronto program director
• Duration: Elective must not exceed 6 months (180 days)

Required Supporting Documentation

Language Proficiency Confirmation:

• A letter from the learner’s home institution confirming that the language of patient care is English or French.
• If the language of patient care is not English or French, one of the following must be provided:
  • A letter from the University of Toronto preceptor or supervisor confirming the elective learner’s proficiency in English, or
  • An English language test score (e.g., TOEFL)

Sponsorship and Financial Support:

• A letter from the international learner’s sponsoring agency confirming its approval
• The letter must confirm full financial support for the duration of the elective training.
• The amount of remuneration must align with the PARO-CAHO Agreement.
• As a condition for the issuance of a work permit, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires that all foreign nationals, including those in elective residency training, receive remuneration equivalent to that of a Canadian performing the same duties in the same location.

Please note: Charitable foundations, private corporations, or self-funding are not considered acceptable sources of funding.

Key Details

• Application Timeline: Submit your application at least 4-6 months (120-180 days) in advance of the elective start date.
• Requirements: Learners must email the program they wish to complete an elective in at the University of Toronto to obtain all necessary application information and next steps. For program contact information please use the Residency & Fellowship Program Director Directory
  • Applicants will be required to provide the following documents:
    • U of T PD letter of support
    • Home Institution PD letter of support
    • Up-To-Date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Medical School Degree (MD)
    • Proof of current citizenship (e.g., copy or photo of your valid passport)
    • Proof of Payment - Elective Administrative Processing Fee (e.g., official receipt/invoice)
    • Proof of Payment - Visa Processing Fee
    • Confirmation of Funding Letter
    • Proof of CMPA Statement of Coverage
• Submission Process: Email the program administrator at the University of Toronto with a complete elective application package. Ensure all required documents are included and combined into a single PDF file. The program administrator will then forward the complete application to the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office for review and final approval.

Elective Administration Processing Fee: $200 CAD per academic year (non-refundable)*
*Approved by the U of T Governing Council – Business Board

How to pay the Elective Administration Process Fee:

Go to the Payment Portal by clicking: International Learners (without a valid Ontario work permit) Elective Administration Processing Fee

• Select “I have an account already” or “New User” 
• Login using your username and password (case sensitive)
• Select “Administration Processing Fee” and click “Continue”
• Add the academic year (e.g., 2025–2026 if your elective occurs in that academic year) as an add-on, select continue and complete payment

NOTE: Ensure you keep a copy of your payment receipt and include it as part of your application.

PGME Visa Processing Fee: $185 CAD (non-refundable)*
*Subject to annual increases

Learners who require an Ontario work permit will be subject to a PGME visa processing fee.

• Visa Fee First-time Applicants: The standard visa processing fee applies.
• Visa Fee Returning Applicants: The fee also applies to those who have previously completed an elective and are applying for an additional elective.

Certificate: NOT issued for elective training completion. 

Eligibility

• The learner must be currently registered and in good standing with their clinical fellowship training program.
• Must meet eligibility for licensure for a Postgraduate Education Certificate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
• Pre-approval must be obtained from the following, prior to submitting an elective application:
  • Your home institution program director
  • The elective preceptor or supervisor
  • The University of Toronto program director

Key Details

• Application Timeline: Submit your application at least 4-6 months (120-180 days) in advance of the elective start date.
• Requirements: Learners must email the program they wish to complete an elective in at the University of Toronto to obtain all necessary application information and next steps. For program contact information please use the Residency & Fellowship Program Director Directory
  • Applicants will be required to provide the following documents:
    • U of T PD letter of support
    • Home Institution PD letter of support
    • Up-To-Date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Medical School Degree (MD)
    • Proof of current citizenship (e.g., copy or photo of your valid passport)
    • Proof of Payment - Elective Administrative Processing Fee (e.g., official receipt/invoice)
    • Proof of Payment - Visa Processing Fee
    • Confirmation of Funding Letter
    • Copy of Current Medical license from Canadian or US jurisdiction
    • Proof of CMPA Statement of Coverage
    • Proof of Specialty Certification 
• Submission Process:  Email the program administrator at the University of Toronto with a complete elective application package. Ensure all required documents are included and combined into a single PDF file. The program administrator will then forward the complete application to the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office for review and final approval.

Elective Administration Processing Fee: $200 CAD per academic year (non-refundable)*
*Approved by the U of T Governing Council – Business Board

How to pay the Elective Administration Processing Fee:

Go to the Payment Portal by clicking: International Learners (without a valid Ontario work permit) Elective Administration Processing Fee

• Select “I have an account already” or “New User” 
• Login using your username and password (case sensitive)
• Select “Administration Processing Fee” and click “Continue”
• Add the academic year (e.g., 2025–2026 if your elective occurs in that academic year.) as an add-on, select continue and complete payment

NOTE: Ensure you keep a copy of your payment receipt and include it as part of your application.

PGME Visa Processing Fee: $185 CAD* (non-refundable)
*Subject to annual increases.

• Visa Fee First-time Applicants: The standard visa processing fee applies.
• Visa Fee Returning Applicants: This fee also applies to those who have previously completed an elective and are applying for an additional elective.

Certificate: NOT issued for elective training completion.