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International Medical Graduate - BC

Publication date: July 13, 2026

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Program overview

This program provides international medical graduates (IMGs) the opportunity to complete residency and practice as a physician in B.C. In exchange, participants complete a return of service (ROS) after completing their residency. The ROS takes place in a community of need and supports patient access to physician services in B.C.  

Residency positions

The IMG-BC specialties at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) for the 2027 Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) match are:

  • General specialty positions with a three-year ROS:
    • Psychiatry 
    • Internal Medicine 
    • Pediatrics 
  • Family medicine positions with a two-year ROS.

How to apply

All applications are made through CaRMS. The IMG-BC residency positions are protected for IMG applicants in the first iteration of the CaRMS Main Residency Match under the IMG stream. In the second iteration, both IMGs and Canadian Medical Graduates may apply. Detailed information is available on the CaRMS website and the University of BC Faculty of Medicine IMG Office website. Information from Simon Fraser University Stephens Family School of Medicine will be available soon.

Return of service documents

Physicians who accept an IMG-BC residency position at UBC or SFU with an attached ROS must sign the applicable IMG-BC ROS contract. The policy has important program information, including information on Enhanced Skills training and subspecialization.

The CaRMS 2027 Return of Service Contract Templates will be available for review in September 2026.

ARCHIVE: CaRMS 2026 Return of Service Contract Templates:

Return of Service Policy:

Return of service commitment

Each physician ROS program may have unique requirements, and the requirements may differ from previous years. The ROS contract is a legal commitment that warrants independent legal advice. Candidates should consider the contractual requirements before applying. Not fulfilling the ROS contract carries significant financial consequences. For more information on the ROS commitment, see the documents on this page. 

Return of service location

All UBC Family Medicine participants complete their ROS in the same regional health authority as their training site as detailed below in a community and clinic/facility identified by the health authority. Information for SFU Family Medicine participants will be confirmed in September 2026.

The regional health authority for specialty medicine participants for the 2027 CaRMS match will be confirmed in September 2026. The ROS will be completed in a community and clinic/facility identified by the health authority.

UBC Family Medicine Training Site and ROS Locations

For more information on ROS location and the placement process, see the ROS contract and policy documents on this page.

These ROS maps identify the B.C. communities that have previously received a ROS placement:

Participants in rural B.C. communities may be eligible for financial incentives. Learn more about Rural Practice Programs.

Hosting a ROS

Locations and facilities who wish to host an ROS placement should contact their health authority’s physician recruitment team.

 

If you have any questions about the Physician Return of Service programs, please contact us at:

ReturnOfService@gov.bc.ca