International Medical Graduates - BC
Last updated on August 12, 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 2025 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 IMG-BC ROS contract. The policy important program information, including information on Enhanced Skills training and subspecialization
Contracts and policy for the 2026 CaRMS match will be posted later this summer.
Archive: CaRMS 2025 Return of Service Contract Templates:
- Family Medicine (PDF, 174KB)
- Internal Medicine – ROS in Northern Health Authority (PDF, 172KB)
- Psychiatry – ROS in Northern Health Authority (PDF, 169KB)
- Psychiatry – ROS in Interior Health Authority (PDF. 169KB)
- Pediatrics – ROS in Northern Health Authority (PDF, 166KB)
- Pediatrics – ROS in Vancouver Island Health Authority (PDF, 166B)
Return of Service Policy:
Return of service commitment
Each physician ROS program may have unique requirements. 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
In this program, health authorities choose the communities and clinics/facilities available to the participants for ROS in conjunction with the Province. For more information on the placement process, see the contract and policy documents on this page. More information to come September 2025 around ROS location for the 2026 match
These ROS maps identify the B.C. communities that have 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.