How Much Does It Cost for a Nigerian Doctor to Relocate to the Canada? 🇨🇦
Canada received approximately 934 Nigerian doctors and dentists in 2023-2024, making it the second-largest destination after the UK. The pathway is longer and more expensive than nursing — medical licensing alone costs approximately C$8,400 before immigration fees. In December 2025, Canada created a new Express Entry category specifically for doctors with Canadian experience and added 5,000 PNP spaces for provinces to nominate physicians. This guide covers every exam, fee, and timeline with figures verified against MCC, IRCC, and CaRMS as of April 2026.
🩺 Quick Numbers
Total Cost
₦9.0M – ₦16.0M
Starting Salary
C$73,367/yr
Resident → Staff (2024-2025)
Nigerians Who Moved
934
Nigerian doctors to Canada 2023-24
Source Rank
2nd destination after UK
Step-by-Step: Registration & Costs
1MCC Account + Source VerificationC$335 (account) + C$464 (2 verifications)
Create your physiciansapply.ca account (C$335) and submit source verification requests for your medical degree and other credentials (C$232 per credential). This is the mandatory first step — no exam booking without it. The MCC verifies your credentials directly with your medical school in Nigeria.
2English Language Test (IELTS Academic)₦279,500–₦299,000
For MCC exams and provincial licensing: IELTS Academic 7.0 minimum in each band, in a single sitting. This is higher than the immigration requirement (CLB 7 = 6.0 each for Express Entry). If your medical training was in English (most Nigerian universities), some provinces may grant an exemption — but don't rely on it. Take the test.
3MCCQE Part 1 ExamC$1,500
The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 is a computer-based test of medical knowledge and clinical decision-making. Application fee is C$1,500 (non-refundable). Note: MCCQE Part 2 has been permanently discontinued since June 2021. Part 1 is now the only MCC exam required, combined with the NAC for residency matching.
4NAC (National Assessment Collaboration) ExamC$3,320
The NAC is a clinical OSCE exam required for CaRMS residency applications. It tests clinical skills across multiple stations simulating patient encounters. At C$3,320, it is the single most expensive exam in the process. Schedule carefully — withdrawal after deadline costs C$1,660.
5CaRMS Residency Match~C$1,475 (20 programs)
Apply to residency programs through the Canadian Resident Matching Service. Base fee C$301.60 (includes 4 programs), then C$64.96 per additional program. IMGs typically apply to 15–25 programs. Verification fee for international graduates: C$133.94. Applying to 20 programs costs approximately C$1,475. The match is competitive — only about 30–40% of IMGs match in any given year.
6Residency Training + Provincial LicensingC$1,035–C$2,000 (provincial registration)
Family medicine residency: 2 years. Specialty training: 3–7 years. Ontario PGY1 salary: C$73,367/year. After residency, apply for provincial licence: Ontario CPSO application C$1,035 + annual C$1,725. Alberta CPSA: C$800 registration + C$2,000 annual. BC CPSBC: C$1,925 annual. Apply for LMCC credential (C$50) after 12 months of postgraduate training.
7Permanent Residence (Express Entry)C$1,610 (before Apr 30) / C$1,675 (after)
Apply for PR through Express Entry or PNP. In December 2025, Canada created a new Express Entry category specifically for doctors with 12+ months Canadian experience. 5,000 additional PNP spaces were allocated for provinces to nominate physicians. 14-day fast-track work permit processing is now available for licensed doctors with job offers. IRCC fees increase April 30, 2026.
Other Costs to Budget For
C$264 base + C$97 courier + HST. Separate from MCC credential verification.
Official source ↗Panel physicians in Lagos/Abuja. Figure from 2022 — may be higher in 2026. Contact IOM directly.
Official source ↗POSSAP portal fee ₦10K–15K + processing. Start 8–12 weeks early.
Official source ↗Good News: Employer Sponsorship
Canadian provinces are actively recruiting doctors. In December 2025, IRCC added 5,000 PNP spaces specifically for doctors, plus 14-day fast-track work permit processing for licensed physicians with job offers. Alberta waives registration ($800) and first annual renewal ($2,000) for physicians completing residency in Alberta between July 2025 and June 2027. However, you must complete licensing exams (MCCQE + NAC + residency) before practicing independently.
What employers typically cover:
- Return-of-service agreements (guaranteed employment in exchange for practising in underserved areas)
- Some provinces cover exam costs or offer loans for IMGs in return-of-service programs
- Alberta: fee waivers for physicians completing Alberta residency (2025–2027)
- 14-day fast-track work permits for licensed doctors (Dec 2025 measure)
What You'll Earn: Resident → Staff (2024-2025)
Entry
C$73,367
per year
After 2 Years
C$232,227
per year
Top of Band
C$556,000
per year
PGY1 (Ontario): C$73,367. Family physician median: C$232,227. Medical specialist avg: C$406,000. Surgical specialist avg: C$556,000 (CIHI 2023-24 data). Source ↗
Important Things to Know
- MCCQE Part 2 has been permanently discontinued (June 2021). Only Part 1 + NAC are required.
- The NAC exam (C$3,320) is the single most expensive exam. Budget withdrawal fee (C$1,660) if scheduling is uncertain.
- CaRMS match rate for IMGs is approximately 30–40%. Apply to 15–25 programs to maximize chances.
- December 2025: Canada created a new Express Entry category for doctors + 5,000 additional PNP spaces + 14-day fast-track work permits.
- January 2026 LMCC reform: eliminated the 12-month postgraduate training requirement for the LMCC credential.
- Alberta waives registration + first annual renewal for physicians completing Alberta residency (July 2025–June 2027).
- Total timeline: 3.5–5 years for family medicine, 5–9+ years for specialty. This is significantly longer than nursing.
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Start Free CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost for a Nigerian doctor to relocate to Canada in 2026?
Medical licensing costs approximately C$8,400 (MCC account C$335 + verifications C$464 + MCCQE C$1,500 + NAC C$3,320 + CaRMS ~C$1,475 + provincial registration ~C$1,035 + LMCC C$50). Immigration adds ~C$2,000 (Express Entry + WES). Plus IELTS (₦299,000), flight (~$849 USD), and other costs. Total: approximately C$12,000–13,000 (₦9M–₦16M) before living expenses.
How long does it take for a Nigerian doctor to practise in Canada?
Family medicine: 3.5–5 years (exams + 2-year residency + licensing). Specialty: 5–9+ years (exams + 3–7 year residency). The Practice-Ready Assessment route for experienced doctors can be faster: 2–3 years. The new December 2025 Express Entry category helps with PR but not licensing — you still need to pass exams and complete residency.
What is the CaRMS match rate for Nigerian doctors?
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) have a match rate of approximately 30–40%. This means applying to only a few programs is risky. Most successful IMGs apply to 15–25 programs. The CaRMS cycle runs annually: applications September–November, match results in March.
Is MCCQE Part 2 still required?
No. MCCQE Part 2 was permanently discontinued in June 2021. The LMCC credential now requires: passing MCCQE Part 1, graduating from an accredited medical school, 12 months of acceptable postgraduate training (reformed January 2026), and verified credentials.
What salary can a Nigerian doctor expect in Canada?
During residency: PGY1 C$73,367/year (Ontario), PGY2 C$79,670. After residency: family physician median C$232,227/year, medical specialist avg C$406,000, surgical specialist avg C$556,000 (CIHI 2023-24). These are gross clinical payments before overhead and taxes.
What new immigration measures exist for doctors in Canada?
In December 2025, Canada announced: (1) a new Express Entry category for doctors with 12+ months Canadian experience, (2) 5,000 additional PNP spaces for provinces to nominate physicians, and (3) 14-day fast-track work permit processing for licensed doctors with job offers. The Express Entry category requires Canadian experience first, so it benefits doctors already working in Canada.
Sources & Verification
Every figure on this page was independently verified on 2026-04-09. We do not use AI training data for any costs, fees, or policy claims.
Verification Notes
Medical exam fee in Nigeria (₦47K–50K) from 2022 source. May be higher in 2026. Contact panel physicians directly.
CPSBC (BC) application fee not published on website. Annual renewal confirmed at C$1,925.
CaRMS IMG match rate (~30–40%) is an approximate from multiple sources. Exact rate varies by year and specialty.
IRCC fees increase April 30, 2026. Pre-increase figures shown unless noted.
Written by Max Ayobami
Founder of Japa Calculator, Nigeria's first data-driven relocation decision tool. Every cost figure and expert tip on this page is independently researched and verified against official government and regulatory body sources.