Dear all,

This is a quiry that I will need an urgent reply to as your reply will dictate my decision as to weather accept or turn down a prematch offer that I have gotten from a residency program in the US.

I am an IMG and permanent resident of Canada now living in Alberta. The resdency prematch offer that I recently got sponsors only J 1 visa.

Will I get the statment of need from the health canada for my J 1 visa?? This is my headache right now. I will quote the requirments for statment of need from health canada and put my status side by side.


1-Proof of permanent residency or citizeneship =====>I am permanent resident of Canada hence I fullfill this requirment.


2-A certified copy of a document from the Medical Council of Canada confirming a passing mark in the Evaluating Examination =====> I will take the MCCEE in January and will hopefully pass it.


3-For medical specialty training programs of two years or more in duration, provide a letter from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada indicating that the clinical training program in the United States would be recognized in full or in part to the extent that the content of training satisfies the College's training requirements======> The program which I got prematch at is ACGME accredited and hence it will be recognized in full or in part by the RCPSC.



4-Provide a copy of a letter of an offer for a residency training position, or a residency training contract, from the clinical training program in the United States. =======> I already have the offer.


5-Provide a signed application form and two copies======> I will fill up and sign the application form.


6- (i) Provide an individual letter from yourself to Health Canada identifying the application as Category B. All applicants under Category B must make a formal written request for provincial endorsement from one or more of the participating provinces through Health Canada for the intended medical specialty======> This is the requirment that I couldnit understand. Can you please clarify what this??


-(ii) Provide a practicable plan that ensures your training will meet the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada's Objectives of Training and Specialty Training Requirements where the length of the residency program in the United States is shorter in length by one or more years than the College's requirements. =======> IM residency is 3 years in the US but 4 years in Canada but I can say I will do one year of fellowship in the US or I will work one year as a chief resident and that will count and it will be taken as a 4 year residency.




Your reply is really realy apprecited!!

Thanks!!