Permanent Residence
Physician & Dentist Elite: a full licensing roadmap for MBBS and BDS holders
For internationally trained physicians and dentists, we plan both your Canadian immigration route and the credential-recognition path required to eventually practise, not just a visa on its own.
Overview
A medical or dental degree opens two separate but connected paths: Canadian immigration, and Canadian licensing to practise. We build a plan that sequences both correctly, so you are not left with permanent residence and no route to work in your profession, or a licensing plan with no immigration status to support it.
Physicians: the MBBS route
Internationally trained physicians must pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE), a computer-based exam offered four times a year, followed by the National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (NAC OSCE), a twelve-station clinical exam. Independent practice also requires completing a Canadian residency; there is no route to independent practice without one, aside from a small number of exceptions. On the immigration side, a Canadian-experience physicians category was added to Express Entry in February 2026, alongside the standard FSWP and PNP routes for physicians still abroad.
Dentists: the BDS route
Internationally trained dentists go through the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) equivalency process: the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK), a written exam, followed by the NDECC, a hands-on simulated clinical exam, and then the Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ), a further written exam. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) governs which prior training is recognized, and provincial dental regulators apply their own licensing requirements on top of the national process.
How Vanguard helps
- A realistic licensing timeline mapped against your current qualifications
- Category and program eligibility check for immigration while you are still abroad or after arrival
- Educational Credential Assessment and documentation strategy
- Coordination support as you move through exam bodies and provincial regulators
Frequently Asked
Questions about Physician & Dentist Elite
Can I immigrate before I am licensed?
In most cases yes, through FSWP, a relevant PNP, or the Canadian-experience physicians category if you already hold Canadian work experience. Licensing to practise independently is a separate, later step.
How long does licensing realistically take?
It varies by profession, prior training, and exam scheduling, but it is typically a multi-year process for both physicians and dentists. We give you a realistic timeline, not an optimistic one.
Do I need a Canadian residency match as a physician?
Yes, to practise independently. Some physicians immigrate first and pursue a residency match afterward; we help you sequence this correctly.
Ready to move forward with Physician & Dentist Elite?
Book a paid consultation and leave with a written plan built specifically around your file.