FAQ

The annual membership fee is $50.00.

AIMGA has a variety of programs and services dedicated to supporting IMGs through the licensure process. We have exam preparation courses for IELTS and the MCC exams, application support programs, study groups, and lectures, workshops, and Lunch & Learns throughout the year on various topics. Your membership also covers access to online study materials such as UWorld and Canada Qbank.

Simply log into your account to renew your membership. You can pay the annual membership fee online.

Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds for cancelled memberships.

We welcome all those who wish to learn more about AIMGA to attend a New Member Orientation session. The orientation is typically held on the first Wednesday of each month and is an excellent opportunity to get to know more about AIMGA, the licensure process, and how to determine your next steps. If you wish to become a member after the orientation, please advise one of our staff members. You will be asked to register online and submit the annual membership fee. Once your account is activated, we can note in your profile that you attended a New Member Orientation session. Note that attending the orientation is mandatory for all new members before they are able to register for our other programs and services.

To view a list of upcoming sessions, visit our Programs, Courses & Events page.

If you do plan to attend an orientation session, please ensure that you send an email to Shola (shola@aimga.ca) in Calgary or Monica (monica@aimga.ca) in Edmonton so you can be placed on the attendance list. Additionally, in the event that the session needs to be cancelled or rescheduled, we will then have a method to contact you to advise of updates/changes.

• Submit a Canadian Bank Draft or Money order of $350 payable to University of Calgary via courier before July 3, 2020.
• Please include your assigned AIMGP # (obtained once you have completed your application) and your full name. Note: the name on your bank draft should appear exactly as it does on your document submission.
• Mail it to:
  
  AIMG Program
  University of Calgary, Foothills Campus
  HMRB G06, Health Sciences Centre
  3330 Hospital Drive NW
  Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1

• Proof of your legal name change must be shared through Physicians Apply. You will have to log into your Physicians Apply account to give permission for information to be shared with AIMGP. This pertains to cases when your current legal name is different from your maiden name, or different from the name that appears on your degree, certifications, etc.
• Look at Forms for Change of Information & Sample Name of Signature Variance.
• Please refer to your checklist under 2. Identity Verification for the necessary documents that need to be submitted.

• Must be submitted by July 3, 2020 at 3:30 pm (MDT) – Administrative Exception
• Applicants are required to complete this survey providing details explaining why they are unable to meet the application requirement:
  • Employment letter provided by Human Resources Department does not contain all the information required by AIMGP
  • Casually employed or self employed
  • Date of hire was after December 1, 2019
  • Employment ended after March 15, 2020 (e.g. lay off, place of employment closes, etc.)
  • Not employed from December 1, 2019 to May 15, 2020
  • Other (unable to attend in-person consultations or programming/services, change of address/employment, missing documents, out of the country due to emergency/vacation, expired supporting documents, delayed conferral dates, employment leaves, yet to take MCCQE1 or IELTS exams)
• Please take note of the extra documentation you will need when you click any of the checkboxes. Almost every single checkbox will require a Letter of Attestation. Please follow the guidelines provided.

Most of you will be choosing Option C.

• The ONLY document you will need to notarize for this application is the Alberta Residency Statutory Declaration Form.
• Notary: Please see the AIMGP Notes FAQs to obtain information about where to get your document notarized. It will have to be notarized between May 15, 2020 and July 3, 2020.
• Due to the current unique situation of Covid19, you can submit multiple letters (place of employment or accredited educational institution and/or guarantor letters) to prove your residence from December 1, 2019 to May 15, 2020.
• It is advisable for many of you to use the Community Individual Guarantor Letter as additional proof of residency. Carefully read the guidelines and the sample letter as AIMGP maintains strict guidelines about what the letter must contain. Some of the requirements of the individual writing the letter for you include:
  • Must be present from December 1, 2019 to May 15, 2020.
  • Must have personally known the applicant for at least 6 months.
  • Must be available for contact by the AIMG Program weekdays during the daytime throughout the file review period (July 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020) to confirm the applicant's presence in Alberta and the details within the letter prepared by the guarantor.
• Please ensure that you provide a Letter of Attestation wherever necessary and to account for the gaps in your residency in Alberta.
• Alberta Operator's Licence or Alberta ID – card must show current address & should include information consistent with your application.
• Active Alberta Personal Health Card – if you are having trouble producing this document please apply for an Administrative Exception.

Please review your checklist on the items required for submission.

AB RESIDENCY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

• Expired Alberta Driver's Licences will be accepted for the 2021 Cycle ONLY. Prior to February 2020, all submitted Drivers' Licenses must be current and valid.
  
  ACTION: You must upload a copy of your expired Alberta Driver's Licence from March 2020. (A copy can be electronically uploaded to the Supporting Documents Upload page once received.)
• Expired Permanent Resident (PR) Cards will be accepted for the 2021 Cycle ONLY.
  ACTION: You must provide a copy of your expired PR Card (front and back), and provide a copy of your renewed PR Card, which will be accepted until November 9, 2020. (A copy can be electronically uploaded to the Supporting Documents Upload page once received.)
• If your status in Canada is transitioning from PR to Canadian Citizen, and you have surrendered your PR Card and do not yet have proof of Canadian Citizenship.
  
  ACTION: You must provide a copy of your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). (A copy can be electronically uploaded to the Supporting Documents Upload page once received.)
• Any Employment Leaves (e.g. maternity, Leave of Absence (LOA), etc.).
  
  ACTION: You must provide a Letter of Attestation. The Letter of Attestation must describe your current situation to cover the period any time between December 1, 2019, and May 15, 2020. Letters must include as much detail as possible to confirm your presence in Alberta. You may choose to include events, meetings, and/or appointments (virtual and other) you have attended, and provide confirmation whenever possible. (A copy can be electronically uploaded to the Supporting Documents Upload page once received.)

• You only need to choose either option A or B. Please review the checklist on the kinds of documentation needed.
• Please note that AIMGP will only accept in person exam. Your exam may be either paper-based or computer-based, but the test must be completed at a test centre. The IELTS Indicator, a test taken at home, will NOT be accepted.
• Please leave the box blank on your physical checklist if you have yet to take the exam, however remember to mark the correct box on your online application.
  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) exam test report form dated no earlier than May 1, 2019 (result must be valid and current throughout 2021 Externship) AND minimum scores of 7.0 in each of the four components on a single test.
    
    NOTES:
  • Applicants who took an IELTS exam between April 13, 2019 and April 30, 2019 should refer to the Administrative Exceptions process.
  • Applicants who have yet to take the IELTS exam due to COVID-19 will still need to apply for Administrative Exceptions.
  • Applicants have until September 30, 2020 to submit their IELTS Academic test report form. There are no extensions or exceptions to this deadline. Enquiry on Results (EoR) will not be accepted after this deadline.
  • The AIMG Program does not accept or process results sent directly from the testing centre; therefore, do not submit results in this manner.

The AIMG Program will accept the Oct 26 - November 8, 2020 MCCQE Part 1 Exam for the 2021 Application Cycle only. The new deadline to share results for the MCCQE1 via physiciansapply.ca is December 31, 2020.

Use ONE of the three options on your checklist. Your NAC Exam Statement of Results and 'account history' on Physicians Apply must reflect all current activities needed for your application.

• Upload Proof of registration for the NAC Exam. A copy of your PDF payment transaction record from 'Account History' on your physiciansapply.ca account showing payment for the Fall 2020 session.
  In cases where applicants do not have a pass standing achieved and are waiting to take the NAC or MCCQE1 July to September must upload a copy of their registration receipt by the aforementioned deadline of July 31, 2020 AND share results via physiciansapply.ca by November 9, 2020.

Use only one option that is stated on the checklist. All documents must be shared through Physicians Apply.

Please ensure that you are constantly using this checklist as your guide. Upload Copy of this 2021 Cycle Application Checklist – with your name and date completed below.

Applications to the AIMG Program must be completed and submitted through the AIMG Program online application portal before the application deadline. A new application must be submitted each AIMG Program cycle for which the applicant wishes to be considered. Applications will not be rolled forward from cycle to cycle.

Please click here to apply.

Please click here to open the Online User Application Guide

Please check your junk or spam folder. You should get a confirmation on the same day you have submitted in your application.

Only a notary public can notarize your document.

Edmonton

1. Alberta Legal Centre
   8627 91 St. NW
   Edmonton, AB
   780-450-2333 (Call to make an appointment)
   Note: This office is still practising physical/social distancing measures.
2. From your local MLA office. Please click here to find your nearest office. Call in advance to make an appointment.

Both services are offered free of charge but please double check when you are making your appointment.

Calgary

1. From your local MLA office. Please click here to find your nearest office. Call in advance to make an appointment. This service will be free of charge but please double check when you are making your appointment.
2. Notary2U - OPEN at Mahogany SE location at 13 Masters Villas SE.
   Please call or text 403.389.2234 before you go. Mobile Services are also offered. This organization charges for their services.
3. Osuji & Smith Lawyers
   Charles Osuji
   348 14th Street NW, Calgary
   Phone 403-283-8018 to book appointments (in person or virtually). Ivania or Claire will confirm your appointments. AIMGA Members will be charged a flat rate of $50 (GST included).
4. Himanshu Singal
   Notary Public and Commission of Oaths
   himanshu.law27@gmail.com
   587-583-5650
   Fee is $25 plus GST.
5. Hayer Law Office
   5120 47 St. NE, Calgary
   403-236-4197
   Fee is $25.
6. New Urban Registry
   1138 10 Ave SW
   Calgary, AB, T2R 0B6
   Email services@newurbanregistry.com or phone 403-262-9999 to set up an appointment. This organization charges for their services.

Notaries public are part of our legal system. Every notary public can:

• administer oaths or take affidavits, affirmations or declarations
• attest the oaths, affidavits, affirmations or declarations
• certify and attest a true copy of a document
• witness or certify and attest the execution of a document

Notary public seal

A notary public must have a seal which shows:

• the notary public’s name
• the words "Notary Public"
• the words "Province of Alberta"

Notary public as appointed

Notary public appointments are issued under the Notaries and Commissioners Act.

Notaries public by status

These people are notaries public because of their office or status:

• judges
• lawyers or students-at-law
• members of the Alberta legislature
• members of Parliament from Alberta
• Canadian senators who were a resident of Alberta at the time of their Senate appointment

• Check EVERY DAY online.
• Calgary: GEOS is open, Bow Valley College will open in August but registration is currently closed, SAIT is considering opening their dates.
• Edmonton: English Testing Canada & IDP is currently accepting registrations.
• Please note that AIMGP will only accept in person exam. Your exam may be either paper-based or computer-based, but the test must be completed at a test centre. The IELTS Indicator, a test taken at home, will NOT be accepted.

• User names and passwords from 2018 and earlier match cycles are no longer registered. If you are a first-time applicant or if the last time you applied to the AIMG Program was in 2017 or earlier, you will need to go to Create a Profile (create a user name and password), before you can sign in and begin an online application.
• Your email address cannot be updated on the application form. If the email address shown is not correct, go to Maintain Profile and change it before proceeding further with the application form.
• Capitalization of names and words will not be altered by the AIMG Program. Please use appropriate capitalization in your responses.

To complete the 2021 Cycle application, all of the below is required:

• Submission of the online AIMG Program application
• Submission of the supporting documents
• Sharing of profile and documents through physiciansapply.ca

NEW this year: The application process is on a new platform with the integrated functionality to UPLOAD specific application supporting documents online. After you have submitted your 2021 Cycle application, and with the guidance of the 2021 Cycle Applicant Checklist, please refer to the Supporting Documents Upload page. Only applicants who have received an "AIMG Program 2021 Cycle - Confirmation of Submission" email will be permitted to access this page. Please click here for more information.

For applicants who have done the IELTS Indicator results, they can share their results with the AIMG Program by:

• Uploading results including their 15 digit Unique Indicator Score ID (TRF) into the Supporting Documents Upload page as a single document (no need to upload all documents again, a screenshot is acceptable). This page will remain open until September 30, 2020.

For applicants who have done the regular IELTS Academic version of the test in-person:

• Please apply for Administrative Exception.
• Please obtain a Record of Employment from your employer.
• Please have copies of your boarding passes, flight bookings, copies of your stamped passport to provide in your Administrative Exception.
• Please provide a Letter of Attestation with a detailed account of your absence in Alberta.

You can use letters from your landlords, physiotherapists, doctors, CERB & EI payments, church pastors, school administrative, gynaecologist, etc. Note that this also applies to those who are affected by COVID-19. Also note:

• You MUST fill in your Administrative Exception & click on the box that applies to your situation. After that, submit the necessary documentation requested by AIMGP.
• Please obtain a Record of Employment from your employer. In addition, please obtain a detailed letter of all appointments from your doctor, physiotherapist, church pastor, etc. to help with your Letter of Attestation. You must provide a detailed account of why there are gaps in your situation.

All applicants must have passed the QE1 & IELTS when applying to AIMGP. If you have registered to take both exams, make sure you submit these documents:

• Upload your IELTS results by September 30, 2020.
• The AIMG Program will accept the Oct 26 - November 8, 2020 MCCQE Part 1 Exam for the 2021 Application Cycle only. The new deadline to share results for the MCCQE1 via physiciansapply.ca is December 31, 2020.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a department of the Government of Canada which facilitates the arrival of immigrants, provides protection to refugees, and offers programming to help newcomers settle in Canada. IRCC provides funding to AIMGA for their programs and services, therefore AIMGA must abide by IRCC Funding Guidelines.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) administers the Settlement Program and Resettlement Assistance Program to help newcomers settle and adapt to life in Canada, setting them on a path to integration and full citizenship. Through these programs, IRCC works with many partners to deliver services to newcomers.

The Settlement Program assists immigrants and refugees to overcome barriers specific to newcomers’ experiences so that they can fully participate in social, cultural, civic and economic life in Canada and acquire citizenship.

Eligible clients

Only the following persons are eligible to receive IRCC settlement services:

• Permanent residents of Canada
• Protected persons as defined in Section 95 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• Individuals who have been selected to become permanent residents (pending verifications) and who have been informed, by a letter from IRCC
• Temporary foreign workers who hold or received approval of a work permit under section 112 or received initial approval for permanent residence under section 113 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

Restrictions

• Canadian citizens and non-permanent residents are not eligible persons.

The 6 service types are:

• Needs assessment and referrals
• Information and orientation
• Language training
• Employment-related services
• Support services
• Building community connections

No, you are not ineligible for all our programs and services. Specific programs have limited seats, thus a selection process and/or set criteria are in place to ensure seats are given to the right person, at the right time in their pursuit to seeking licensure. Attempts will be made on behalf of AIMGA to seek additional funding. Where possible, AIMGA may offer some programs and services on a fee-for-service basis in order to accommodate members who are Canadian citizens. AIMGA acts on behalf of its membership and has the interests of the membership at heart. We do our best within the funding guidelines set by IRCC.

Yes, the New Member Orientation is mandatory for all new members and is a prerequisite that must be completed before you are able to register for other courses and workshops. This session is an excellent introduction to AIMGA and how we can help support your journey to licensure or into an alternative career in healthcare. It is also a great opportunity to network with fellow IMGs and to learn more about the licensure process in Canada in a group setting.

Your profile may not be complete. Please ensure that you log into your AIMGA account and complete your profile. You are required to complete at least 75% of your profile before you are able to sign up for our programs and services. Please note that we will require 100% profile completion as of the end of January 2020.

Simply click on the “Click here for lost password” link and enter the email address associated with your account. You will automatically receive an email with a link to reset your password.

You can book an appointment with some of our staff members using our online booking tool. Simply go to the Consultations and Appointments page to view the scheduler. Please ensure that you review the location and staff member bio so you can choose the appropriate person for your consultation.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walk-in appointments. Please use the online appointment scheduler to book a time to meet with a member of our staff.

If you are no longer receiving emails from AIMGA, it may be the following reason(s):

1. You recently changed your email address, but your profile still has your old email address. Please ensure that you regularly update your profile so that we have your up to date information.
2. You unsubscribed from our mailing list. Most of AIMGA’s email communications are sent from a third-party email marketing site called Mailchimp. If at any time you opted out of these email communications by clicking on the unsubscribe link, you will no longer receive any emails from AIMGA. Please note that this mailing list is separate from your AIMGA account; even if you are an active member of AIMGA, you will not receive emails because you are unsubscribed in Mailchimp. If you would like to opt into these communications again, please send an email to info@aimga.ca and we can send you a subscription request.
3. Our emails may be getting caught in your spam/junk mail folder. To ensure that future emails are not marked as spam or junk mail, please add info@aimga.ca to your approved email list.

Some of our workshops may be targeted specifically to members who are studying for an MCC examination or are at a specific point in their licensure journey. Additionally, we have limited seats available for many of our programs. Therefore, it is crucial that seats are given to the right person at the right time in their pursuit to seeking licensure.

AIMGA has a variety of materials such as exam preparation guides and medical textbooks (e.g., Toronto Notes) to support our members through the licensure process. As many of these resources can be costly to purchase, members in good standing of AIMGA can borrow these resources free of charge.

You may borrow up to three books at one time.

You can borrow books for an initial period of two weeks. After that time, you can renew for a further two weeks for a total of four weeks per book. This is to allow other members to have access to these materials as they can be in high demand during certain times of the year (i.e., during exam season).

Our Calgary and Edmonton offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. We typically close from 12:30 to 1:00PM for lunch, and we are also closed on Statutory holidays and over the Christmas holidays. Our office may also be closed from time to time due to staff development sessions or other events.

CALGARY OFFICE: We do not have a dedicated parking lot; however, we do have some 2-hour street parking directly adjacent to the building (Crescent Centre). Some streets close to the building have unrestricted parking available as well.

EDMONTON OFFICE: The parking stall marked AIMGA is for staff members only. Also, please note the patient parking stalls are for patients of the clinic and not for AIMGA members. Do not park in these stalls during clinic hours. There is free 2-hour street parking available or daily parking in the Impark Lot or Diamond Parking Lot close to the Stratica Medical Building.