International Medical Graduates - BC
Last updated on September 9, 2025On this page:
- Program overview
- Residency positions
- How to apply
- Return of service documents
- Return of service location
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 residency positions at UBC for the 2026 Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) match are:
- Six general specialty positions with a three-year ROS:
- Psychiatry (2)
- Internal Medicine (2)
- Pediatrics (2)
- 52 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.
Return of service documents
Physicians who accept an IMG-BC residency position at UBC 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.
CaRMS 2026 Return of Service Contract Templates:
- Family Medicine (PDF, 239.1KB)
- Internal Medicine – ROS in Northern Health Authority (PDF, 265KB)
- Psychiatry – ROS in Northern Health Authority (PDF, 269KB)
- Pediatrics – ROS in Northern Health Authority (PDF, 265KB)
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 52 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 chosen by the health authority.
All six specialty medicine participants for the 2026 CaRMS match will complete their ROS in Northern Health Authority, in a community and clinic/facility chosen by the health authority.
Family Medicine Training Site and ROS Locations
- ROS in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority for those matched to Vancouver - St. Paul’s Hospital or Coastal training sites
- ROS in Interior Health Authority for those matched to Kamloops, Kelowna Regional, Kelowna Rural, Kootenay Boundary, or Okanagan South residency training sites
- ROS in Fraser Health Authority for those matched to Abbotsford-Mission, Chilliwack, Surrey-South Fraser, or Vancouver Fraser training sites
- ROS in Vancouver Island Health Authority for those matched to Nanaimo, Vancouver Island-Strathcona, or Victoria training sites
- ROS in Northern Health Authority for those matched to Prince George or Rural Fort St. John training sites
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 a Re-entry ROS placement should contact their health authority’s physician recruitment team.