International Medical Schools

The Association of Canadian Medical Colleges produces a document each year entitled Admission Requirements to Canadian Faculties of Medicine and their Selection Policies. This year, it contained the following advice, which we believe to be the most up to date on the subject of Overseas Medical Education. More Information should be sought from the AFMC (www.afmc.ca) or the Medical Council of Canada (www.mcc.ca)

If for any reason an applicant decides after one or more rejections from Canadian faculties of medicine to seek admission to a medical school outside Canada, some important factors must be borne in mind.

The most important of these is that returning to practice medicine in Canada following enrollment in a foreign medical school may prove exceedingly difficult. Policies are now in place to limit the number of physicians who have earned their MD degree outside Canada to enter Canada for clinical training and/or to practice medicine. This warning is not meant to deter individuals from seeking education in reputable foreign universities -- some Canadian citizens have always gone abroad to study in recognized, reputable universities.

Although Canadian citizens will always have the right to return to and work in Canada, Canadians contemplating enrolment in a foreign medical school should know that any limitations on recognition of foreign earned MDs apply to qualification earned abroad by citizens AS WELL AS BY NON-CITIZENS of Canada. Strong motivation, determination and adequate academic preparation are in themselves NO GUARANTEE that a Canadian citizen who attends a foreign medical school will be able to train or practice medicine in Canada in the future.

Applicants should be aware that enrolling in dubious, proprietary, for-profit medical schools opened specifically to cater to rejected applicants to medical schools in Canada or the USA is highly unlikely to be a path to practicing medicine in Canada.

The CFMS receives a great deal of correspondence each year from students who have earned their MD's in various universities abroad who were unaware of the above truths. We advise that the question of Re-entry into Canada be contemplated and investigated thoroughly by candidates prior to acceptance of admission at an international Medical School.

Any further questions should be directed to the ACMC or MCC, as stated above. However, if you wish to speak with someone from the CFMS, please email president@cfms.org.