Doctor in Canada After MBBS: The 2026 Route and Numbers
Two exams, one match and one immigration hurdle stand between an MBBS and a Canadian licence. The Medical Council fees total about CAD 5,200, roughly Rs. 3.5 lakh. The pass rates and match numbers decide whether it is worth it.
MUDr. Andreas Zehetner
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Doctor in Canada After MBBS: The 2026 Route and Numbers
Doctor in Canada After MBBS: The 2026 Route and Numbers
Two exams, one match and one immigration hurdle stand between an MBBS and a Canadian licence. The Medical Council fees total about CAD 5,200, roughly Rs. 3.5 lakh. The pass rates and match numbers decide whether it is worth it.
Step one: a Canada Sponsor Note in WDOMS
The Medical Council of Canada accepts graduates of schools listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with a Canada Sponsor Note covering your graduation year. Check the Sponsor Notes tab on your school's entry.
MCCQE: 230 questions, CAD 1,500, pass score 439
The MCCQE, renamed from MCCQE Part I on 1 April 2026, is a one-day computer exam of 230 questions at Prometric centres in four sessions a year. The 2027 sessions start on 19 January, 27 April, 10 August and 5 October.
48 per cent of international graduates pass first time
In the Medical Council's 2025-26 year, 48 per cent of first-time international candidates passed the MCCQE against 91 per cent of Canadian graduates. Repeat international candidates passed at 37 per cent.
NAC Examination: 12 stations, CAD 3,320, Canada only
The NAC is a half-day clinical exam held in Canada in September and May. The next session is 1 May 2027, with applications from 18 November to 9 December 2026. The 2025 first-time pass rate was 83 per cent.
Citizenship or PR before you can apply for residency
Every province requires Canadian citizenship or permanent residence at the time of the CaRMS application. Study and work permits are not accepted anywhere, so immigration comes before the match, not after.
931 international graduates matched in 2026
The CaRMS R-1 match placed 931 international graduates in 2026, up from 851 in 2025 and 671 in 2024. 81 per cent of current-year international applicants matched in the first iteration, against 48 per cent of earlier graduates.
Want the full Canada route with fees, dates and immigration?
Our guide sets out every step from source verification to the provincial licence, with the 2026 fee table, session dates and the Express Entry categories for doctors.