Registration Timeline for International Residents
Stage 1
6 months prior to training start date
Visa Trainee Assistant from the PGME Office will contact you once we receive your appointment and supporting documents from the Departmental Program Director.
5 months prior to training start date
A PGME Visa Trainee Assistant will email your IRCC “Offer of Employment (LMIA exempt) number” and a CPSO “Letter of Eligibility” to you. With these items, you will be able to apply for a work permit from an IRCC Visa Office.
Submit your work permit application to an IRCC Visa Office.
You must complete a medical examination by a Canadian Government designated panel physician as a condition of being approved for a work permit. IRCC can take 6 weeks or more to process the medical report. Please note you may also be required to give your biometrics to IRCC.
You must complete a medical examination by a Canadian Government designated panel physician as a condition of being approved for a work permit. IRCC can take 6 weeks or more to process the medical report. Please note you may also be required to give your biometrics to IRCC.
4 months prior to training start date
Apply for an appropriate certificate of registration from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Please visit the CPSO’s website and sign up for a Member Portal account to begin the application process.
Applicants previously registered by the CPSO will receive a customized application package by email.
If you have not received the CPSO notice 4 months before your expected start date, contact the CPSO.
Research fellows do not need to apply to the CPSO.
Applicants previously registered by the CPSO will receive a customized application package by email.
If you have not received the CPSO notice 4 months before your expected start date, contact the CPSO.
Research fellows do not need to apply to the CPSO.
2 months prior to training start date
Apply online for Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) membership to speed up the processing of your membership.
1 month prior to training start date
Check the status of your CPSO application frequently through your online CPSO portal account. For most overseas applicants, submission of the work permit and the Canadian criminal record and Judicial Matters Check are the final requirements for issuance of a certificate of registration. Applicants residing outside Canada must consider the criminal record check processing time by the Canadian municipal or provincial service. Review the CPSO Guide carefully on Acceptable Criminal Record Checks posted on the CPSO website.
Visit the Toronto Police Service website, for information on submitting a request for a criminal record and Judicial Matters Check.
Visit the Toronto Police Service website, for information on submitting a request for a criminal record and Judicial Matters Check.
Arrive in Toronto
Stage 2
Letter of Final Approval
Present your letter of final approval from the IRCC Visa Office to a Canada Customs Officer at the port of entry when you first arrive in Canada. The actual work permit then will be issued to you, for you to keep in your passport.
Upload a copy of your work permit along with your Ontario mailing (private) address, if available, to your CPSO portal account. Provide a digital copy of your work permit to the PGME Office to start your online registration and purchase University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) health care coverage online. A PGME Visa Trainee Assistant will guide you through the PGME registration requirements.
Criminal Record & Judicial Matters Check
If you have submitted a mail-in request for the criminal record and Judicial Matters Check, visit the Toronto Police Headquarters at 40 College Street, (between Bay St and Yonge St) to pick up the criminal record and Judicial Matters Check.
Once your application is complete, the CPSO Online status will change from Open to Awaiting Verification. You will receive a system generated email from the CPSO notifying you that your certificate of registration has been issued. You can also verify your registration by visiting Find a Doctor section at www.cpso.on.ca. If your name does not appear with an Active Member status, you have not yet been registered. The effective date of the certificate issued under the Postgraduate Education class will match the appointment start date, unless its issuance was delayed due to outstanding requirements. The CPSO cannot back-date a certificate of registration.
3 days after arrival
Call CMPA and update them with your CPSO certificate of registration, Canadian Address and Canadian Bank account.
Obtain a copy of your CMPA Membership Update.
Obtain a copy of your CMPA Membership Update.
Provide CPSO Certificate of Registration
Provide the PGME Office with your CPSO certificate of registration and a copy of your CMPA Membership Update.
Log onto POWER from the PGME website to finalize your registration (and pay the annual PGME registration fee).
Training Start Date