I Matched! An IMG's journey to Canadian Residency

Here, I describe my journey to matching a competitive spot (General Surgery) at the University of Toronto as an International Medical Graduate (IMG). I also provide an overview of the process and general advice on improving match success. Enjoy!
I dedicate this match success to the many friends, mentors, colleagues who supported me over the years.
I wrote a PDF copy of my journey here: www.dropbox.co...
Links to Resources
1. Physician Apply physiciansappl...
2. Medical Council of Canada website mcc.ca/examina...
3. Canadian Medical Protective Association www.cmpa-acpm....
4. Canadian Residency Match Service (CaRMS). www.carms.ca/
5. CaRMS help topics. carms.zendesk....
6. MedCognito Prep courses. medcognito.com...
7. BeMo Interview Prep Course bemoacademicco...

[@tobifasola2017]

QUICK JUMPS 1. My Story 0:00 2. Summary of the pathway 8:27 3. General advice 9:55 4. Conclusion 12:42

[@asnaaylin]

Congratulation doctor

[@skinandall]

There is something about giving back that makes you feel fulfilled. Most people think it is only money you can give but they don’t realize you can give so much more. From knowledge to guidance and direction. This is more than amazing. God bless you abundantly for this and I wish you success both in your personal and professional journey as you embark on this new phase. You have reiterated three things that I have always known… 1. Success doesn’t come easy, you have to put in your personal effort and pray for favor 2. Networking is VERY important. People will put the word out for those they consider to be worth their weight in gold 3. Helping others doesn’t diminish you..It only makes you better On a lighter note….it is a bloody expensive pathway :-)

[@tobifasola2017]

You are right, the process requires financial commitments. Thanks your your insights.

[@asnaaylin]

@@tobifasola2017 do u work in between for meeting financial commitments??

[@RehamSalama98]

@@tobifasola2017 how can one support themselves on this journey, being a fresh international medical graduate who just completed an internship year?

[@alexanderarthur2522]

Congratulations Tobi.Proud of you man!

[@drace9088]

Big Fash ,.. Congratulations 🎉

[@Midegee]

Thank you doc , this is a testament that it is doable . Definitely difficult and expensive route but possible. Congratulations

[@askdoctorkt2053]

Congratulations! That's awesome news. I've subscribed to your channel and looking forward to learning more from you.

[@chinasa_]

Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.

[@oreoladiran943]

Great Job Tobi!!! Proud of you.

[@starmed-premed-img]

Congratulations! Happy to be part of your journey !

[@sabethmeyof7459]

Thank you so much Dr. Fasola for sharing and congratulations on your match. Your success story is so inspiring. It solidifies my belief that I could achieve similar results. Thanks

[@OlamideOlawoye]

Thank you so much for this detailed explanation.

[@kpexemefe211]

Thanks for this information...will come very handy...

[@funmifasola4960]

Congratulations

[@naomiezefuna]

Thank you so much!

[@dreamHIGH94]

Thanks so much for the video! Congrats!!

[@olufunmilolasarah5695]

Congratulations to you.

[@adelekeadeyemi5384]

Splendid. Well done. You are an inspiration bro

[@tobifasola2017]

Thank you so much 😀

[@allthingsbyaj]

Congratulations Dr 🎉

[@DrEsraShah]

OMG! Well done🌷🌷🌷 Can you please elaborate more on the requirements to be accepted for the electives and observationships? Can you list some of the programs that accept observationships? I do appreciate your clarification so much since I am also in the process of my medical degree verification!

[@vmd1300]

The 100-million-dollar question is: how did you get PR and then the citizenship in Canada? What did you do during the waiting time between getting a PR and a citizenship?

[@yaqoub6111]

Thank you. This was really helpful!

[@tobifasola2017]

Glad it was helpful!

[@santusunuovoraye6886]

Congratulations chief

[@aim1307]

hey Tobi thanks for the awesome video, I am an FMG about to graduate in 2023 what is the pathway of the anesthesiologist in Canada as an FMG?

[@offiongakpa936]

Congratulations sir! Please sir does taking a time out to get a Master's degree (in a medical field) and doing some research a negative? Like does one need to be in clinical practice all through with no gaps to stand a better chance?

[@imadeobaseki7180]

Hi, good day. I see that you completed a residency program here in Nigeria, is it possible to do a residency program in Canada as a fresh graduate after NYSC? I'm a final year medical student and I want to do residency in Canada.

[@babajideoladayo4541]

Congratulations. I have always loved to practise in Canada but I previously thought it was impossible to get a training position in surgery as an IMG. I am a surgical resident in Nigeria. May I know the cost implications of the entire process? Thank you and more grace ahead.

[@tobifasola2017]

I will address the cost implications in another video. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, you can calculate the costs of the exams, they are on the linked websites.

[@itwsw]

How did you have enough points to get a PR via express entry process ?

[@saveifesayomi1820]

I didn't get honor or distinction can I still get a competitive spot in surgery

[@foo-fyter]

Hie Tobi congratulations you surely have persevered to get this far and only wish you the best in your journey ahead. I recently passed MCCQE 1 and as a GP I've noticed that it's hectic to get into some of the provinces. Can one Register for the NAC OSCE as I'm not Canadian or permanent resident? Could you also provide some advice on other possible routes I could take including the provinces to try?

[@tobifasola2017]

I'll make a video to address that soon

[@foo-fyter]

@@tobifasola2017 Thanks looking forward to that!

[@nonexistent2138]

Hi what happened in your journey. I’m currently at this stage.

[@foo-fyter]

Hie I managed to eventually get to Alberta Province, I did TDM exam and they didn't require NAC OSCE

[@bleboorichard]

For your EXPRESS ENTRY ACCOUNT , please did you do IELTS ACADEMIC OR GENERAL ? Thanks

[@carolinentiamoah4939]

God bless you for this video. Pls how did you do an ECA for your post graduate medical certificate in surgery? I read that Medical Council of Canada only does ECA for your primary medical education.

[@bglassadiq9101]

Congratulations. Could you do a video on the process of applying and getting permanent resident immigrant status ? And if it is the same process for student who did not finish residency in their countries ?

[@dreamHIGH94]

Did the connections you made during your Toronto elective help you match to Toronto for surgery? Were the interviews that you had during the match the same places you had done your electives? I’m trying to understand how to best be successful in matching! Thanks for the video!

[@tobifasola2017]

Yes they were helpful. They gave me guidance, offered reference letters etc. No, I had interviews at programs different from where I did the electives. If you can get electives in programs that usually have spots for IMGs, that'd be great

[@simranshinde1859]

Can u please share your email?

[@tripthisugumar5555]

Congratulations!!!! Very well explained, thank you so much. I'm an IMG Neurologist ( done 2 residencies in IM and Neurology in India). Came here for a 2 year fellowship in Movement disorders at the UofA. Now planning to write Qe1 next month. Only started prepping a month back, so I'm getting pretty nervous about my readiness. It all depends on the next few weeks I guess. A few questions pls; Any advice on sources for population health and family med. Somewhere as quick and easy to read as possible? Cmpa good practice I've gone through most of it for Ethics. Also, do you think it's doable in month ? I'm scared about time management as well. I should prob get on the Mcc practice tests, but since my fellowship ended Dec 2021, I'm between jobs and still waiting on a work permit!- so all my savings are being used up. Nacosce is so pricy too unfortunately. Will def need training in it as well. PR is also still in process, so don't even know if I will get it in time for CaRms. I have done IELTS academic in Sept 2019 before my fellowship, and I did CELPIP for PR application. Would I still need to do IELTS academic again?! It's such a stressful process more so because of the expenses involved. Hats off to your perseverance and success & thank you once again.

[@tobifasola2017]

Toronto Notes for Population health and family medicine is great. Best resource is active learning using question banks.

[@tripthisugumar5555]

Thank you so much !

[@noorahmadlari]

Hello Dr Tripthi, I have done IM Residency from India as well, and am thinking to do Cardio fellowship from Canada, is it possible? Pls advise.

[@lumisreviews]

What's the budget for this entire process?

[@heavythinker16]

Hi Tobi! Thank you for this video. I want to ask if it is required for an IMG to do residency in Canada in order to practice. Or can one just pass the exams and be able to get a job (as GP) in Canada?

[@tobifasola2017]

Hi. To practice you must have postgraduate training. Canada recognises PG training from some jurisdictions (eg UK) as equivalent and allows such physicians go into independent practice, other places can do the Practice Ready Assessment route. I'll be making a video of that soon. Stay tuned

[@tahmidtoky]

Hi, congratulations 🎉 Would you be able to share the timeline? When you gave mccqe1 and when you got accepted in residency?

[@tobifasola2017]

I wrote it the same year I applied for residency. I got accepted the first round. Timeline 8mths

[@benedictusher4445]

when you applied for the express entry visa, please what skill did you put in since the doctor skill wasn't available ?

[@kanizfathama9622]

Firstly, thanks for the breakdown explanation. And also can you explain how you got the PR as the Canadian system only takes the citizen and PR holders in the match. Is there any particular visa entry for IMGs who don't hold a PR?

[@tobifasola2017]

I’ll advise that you look for videos that explain the process of getting PR. I applied through the express entry pathway for skilled workers.

[@abisolaibiyemi8748]

Congratulations Sir. Sir, I will like to chat you up personally. Thank you Sir

[@shresthasujan18]

Is practice ready assessment pathway only for non surgical subjects?

[@manel7480]

Hello, thanks a lot for a very informative video. One question : Are reference letters an obligation for the process ? Thank you

[@tobifasola2017]

Yes they are required documents for the CaRMS

[@ndungakoforbinake1321]

Hello, please when sending documents for source verification to which organization do you submit? Thanks in advance

[@taqwaadam320]

Congratulations!. May I ask what was score on MCCQE1? I am in canada now and have plans to take the test. I would like to contact with you if possible through email please.

[@dr.bellamd]

Hello, congrats please did you have to write the Ielts English language examination before arriving in Canada?

[@Rose-nw9tk]

Does anyone who hasn't had a research experience or publications have a chance of getting radiation oncology or psychiatry residency? Is it a negative factor to do residency in radiation oncology in home country and opt for psychiatry residency in Canada?

[@Daniel-nc3zu]

It isn't easy to get permanent resident status. How do you do that? Can you share more？

[@dineshaattanayake1607]

Can you please make a video about MCCQE 1 exam

[@victormartins7793]

Hello! How many hours per week works a Internal Medicine Resident? Could you please give me that info?

[@ankitrathore9899]

Congratulations. After clearing MCCQE1 ,getting matched in carms do we need to pay tuition fees for our residency training or they will pay us?

[@tobifasola2017]

No, you get a salary.

[@emmanuelbajo3282]

How long did it took you to get your PR and what is the process of getting PR ?

[@ishaniefernando4413]

Dr.Tobi, u said about reference letters. Are the reference letters from consultants in our native country , valid for this matching program ?? To whom should those letters be addressed?? And do we need to get the letters when it’s close to applying for residency or can we get them then and there??

[@tobifasola2017]

Yes you can get the reference letters from your native country. The letters will be uploaded directly by the supervisor via a link sent to them from CaRMS. CaRMS also allows the referee to send a hard copy to their office directly, however the online link is best. So best to inform the supervisor early and keep reminding them.

[@Fluxxxx]

Hello, how did you get the volunteer opportunities ?

[@rhizobiumli]

Congrets man! Do you think we can do all the tests before applying to permanet residency? I did't want to quit my job in my home country unless there is a real chance of getting a a residency!

[@tobifasola2017]

Yes. You can do the tests. The NAC OSCE has to be done in Canada, so you need to find a way to come in.

[@rhizobiumli]

@@tobifasola2017 super cool, wish you the best

[@drm2407]

Hello cn u pls tell from where did u prepare for usmle step 2 ck

[@LoKOSrOOcha]

Hello, Dr Tobi! You emailed directly to the universities to try an elective? Because I did that and most of them told me that there wasn't any availed elective s for international students

[@tobifasola2017]

Yes. I did. You need to keep trying. Send to individual preceptors too. Some might be willing to have you shadow them

[@sergiodavidangulomontano8482]

I m a fifth year medical student from Colombia, i have academic excellence certificates, i want to apply for a residency but also i am thinking to study a Master degree, prior to apply for Internal Medicine so i wanted to know if this would be a contra because currenly clinical practice is a mainly item

[@tobifasola2017]

Apply to both at the same time. If you get residency great. If not, you can do the Masters and apply for residency after the Masters

[@fortuneorish559]

Can one use USMLE to match into canada

[@jessetanko1973]

For the electives , were you sponsored or out of pocket

[@drmoon646]

Sir in Canada medical pg is free or do we pay fees

[@sghoshchannel9064]

Dr Tobi you did your residency in general surgery from Nigeria or from Canada??

[@tobifasola2017]

In Nigeria

[@yaqoub6111]

Could you please tell us exactly how to get points enough for being qualified by express entry as a doctor? I mean is there anything other than MD degree and Good ilets score we can do ? Is it possible to get nomination or any job offer that increases my chances? Thanks again !!

[@tobifasola2017]

I'll make a video to answer this. Stay tuned

[@tryitwithbrubie587]

Would love if you could put a pathway for newly graduated IMG that didn't do residency in Nigeria like yourself. How can I for instance a newly graduated medical student get into the Canadian residency training. Is it through masters? Must you have ur pr before u can register for the exams?

[@tobifasola2017]

The pathway described in this video is actually for IMGs who didn't do residency prior to moving to Canada. No you can register for the QE1 and write it outside Canada without PR status. (at this time)

[@dr.1956]

Thank you so much, kindly walk us through the Visa process for the electives you did as a medical student and as a medical resident in Nigeria, were there any difference a d what was the Visa process like. Aslo does your year of graduation affect you?

[@tobifasola2017]

Just uploaded a video on elective process. The visa application process comes after securing the elective and then you can apply via canada.ca

[@smsm0the0king]

There is no elective this year for international students, it will be open in 2024

[@bleboorichard]

Also did you take two of the IELTS ? One for the express entry and another for the residency ?

[@bleboorichard]

Do you think it’s advisable to complete medical school , works for some time before beginning the process ? I am currently in my final year . I am thinking about beginning the express entry process

[@tobifasola2017]

Yes. The IELTS for express entry is General, and that for residency is Academic

[@tobifasola2017]

@@bleboorichard That will depend on your circumstances. If you come too early, you might waste a few years trying to get in.

[@folasadebolaji4043]

Do you have plans for dentistry,I will like to know

[@faizanahmed5368]

Hello Dr Tobi for applying for residency in canada you need to apply for PR & you must have the citzenship, is it true ?? if yes then how ll i take the permanent residency in Canada ??

[@tobifasola2017]

Hi Faizan, you will get most of the PR information on www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html

[@zohaibawan239]

I’m in final year mbbs student and want to apply for residency in Canada,please guide me how i can get permanent residency of Canada to apply for these exams

[@tobifasola2017]

Get the information here www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html

[@tryitwithbrubie587]

Also what program did match into sir?

[@tobifasola2017]

General surgery, University of Toronto

[@Chemisacadamy]

Thanks but did not tell us from where did you study

[@tobifasola2017]

I said it. Nigeria

[@Chemisacadamy]

@@tobifasola2017 I mean what are the references ?

[@profliftup]

Sir,Congratulations Is it possible to apply for housemaship over there too

[@tobifasola2017]

No, there is no "housemanship" in Canada. Medical graduates go into residency immediately after medical school.

[@chukaobienu8119]

My Brother

[@skintherapy6448]

How u did electives OR observership befor MCCQ exam ..is that possible..?

[@tobifasola2017]

Yes, it is very possible. Just apply.

[@skintherapy6448]

@@tobifasola2017 plz I would like to contact u if don’t mind to understand more about this bcz I did research on that & most electives programs that I founded in Canada was available for medical residents only

[@tobifasola2017]

@@skintherapy6448 fasola.oluwatobi at gmail dot com

[@tobifasola2017]

@@skintherapy6448 Also watch my recent video on getting electives

[@NgMaf1]

Congratulations! What a long journey you've been on. All the best for your new residency and eventual practice in Canada. Please may I know how many years it took to get here? i.e. From your residency training in Nigeria to matching in Canada. Thank you

[@tobifasola2017]

A year and six months

[@RehamSalama98]

@@tobifasola2017 so you had to leave the surgical residency program in Nigeria halfway through PGY2 ?

[@tobifasola2017]

@@RehamSalama98 No. I completed residency in Nigeria. I meant I moved to Canada and matched in 1.5yrs

[@RehamSalama98]

@@tobifasola2017 I see, thank you so much Dr. Tobi

[@ajmasagca]

In terms of PR status, how did you get it and how did you time it exactly for before applying for the match?

[@tobifasola2017]

I went through the Federal Skilled Express Entry route, and got it a year before applying for the match

[@tryitwithbrubie587]

Do U need pr to register for mcqe1?

[@femibankole4476]

Yeah

[@tobifasola2017]

No, you can register for the QE1 without the PR status, however, you need to be PR to apply for residency

[@kibrekidusanmequanint4874]

No thanks you. Life is too short for this...

[@wbnbwn1804]

Congratulations Dr..my first time to hear a positive experience from an IMG.. I'm a GP, graduated in 2019 in Congo, now living in South Africa. in express entry pool, my hubby primary applicant as I don't have enough experience in my field. Got my Mcc credentials evaluation and TEf done. all the stories I've been hearing are so discouraging.. Thank u for this wonderful story, which gives me hope again. Id like to connect with you, if possible. Any Instagram account so that I can send a msg on Instagram?

[@tobifasola2017]

IG: turbogenns

[@tryitwithbrubie587]

Hello Dr Fashola, just stumbled upon your video while I was looking for steps to IMG matching in canada. Congratulations sir. It's really lovely to know this worked out for u. Amazing amazing video.. I hope u remember me? Just sent a a whatsapp message

[@tobifasola2017]

Please send a message again.

[@andrewinglis2780]

I need your email address. I need to link up with you. One day I wanna be there

[@tobifasola2017]

[e-mail]

[@orefasola5188]

Congratulations