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Statements of Need for Postgraduate Training in the United States - Medical graduates not currently enrolled in postgraduate training and not licensed specialists in Canada [Category B] - Change in location of residency

Requirements for changing the location of a residency training program

Physicians who already have a Statement of Need and who wish to change the location of their residency training program (same specialty) must apply to Health Canada for a new Statement of Need. The physician shall remain in the same applicant category as in their initial Statement of Need application.

When do I submit my application?

Requests to change the location of a residency training program should be submitted after the results of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) or as soon as a letter of offer or a contract is received from the new clinical training program in the U.S., and no less than two months before the expiry of the current Statement of Need.

What documents do I need to submit?

Below is the list of documents that recipients of a Statement of Need in this category must submit in order to change the location of their residency training program:

1. Application Form

Provide a signed application form.

Print the form and fill it in, then submit it by mail, email, courier or fax to the Program Administrator (Health Canada).

2. Confirmation of Current Permanent Residency in Canada (if applicable)

If your Permanent Resident Card has expired since your original application, please renew the card and provide a notarized copy of the updated card.

3. RCPSC Letter of Recognition of U.S. Training (for medical specialty training programs of two years or more)

For medical specialty training programs of two years or more in duration, applicants need to provide a letter from the RCPSC indicating that the clinical training program in the United States would be recognized in full or in part to the extent that the duration and content of training satisfies the College's training requirements.

Requests to the RCPSC must include a copy of the residency training contract with the U.S. program and may be submitted by email or facsimile. The RCPSC charges a fee of $140 CDN for the letter of recognition; this fee is subject to change without notice.

Email:  credentials@rcpsc.edu (include "J-1 Visa Letter" in the subject line)

Fax: (613) 730-3707 (include "J-1 Visa Letter with your request)

Note: The RCPSC letter of recognition of US training is always delivered by email to both you and the Program Administrator at Health Canada in approximately five working days.

4. Letter of Offer/Training Contract/U.S. Match Webpage

Provide a copy of one of the following:

  • A letter of offer for a residency training program from the clinical training program in the United States. The letter must be on the institution's letterhead and should be accompanied by your signature of acceptance of the offer; or
  • A training contract for a residency training program from the clinical training program in the United States. The training contract should bear your signature indicating you have accepted the offer; or
  • The secure web page confirming you have matched to a clinical residency training program in the United States.

5. Optional: Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information form

Provide a signed original of the Consent to the Disclosure of Personal Information to Provincial and Territorial Governments for Recruitment Purposes (the Consent Form). By signing the Consent Form, the individual permits Canadian provincial and territorial health authorities to initiate the process of recruitment of an individual for employment in Canada after completion of their medical training in the United States.

The individual can sign the Consent Form at the time of application for a Statement of Need or at any time during their training in the United States. Physicians will be subject to any physician resource management policies in existence at the time of their return to Canada.

Where do I submit my application?

All the required documents listed above must be sent to the Program Administrator, Statement of Need Program, Health Human Resources Policy Division, Health Canada. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all required documents are submitted.

With the exception of certified and notarized documents, all the required documents listed above can be submitted to Health Canada by fax, email, mail or courier.

Certified and notarized documents must be sent by mail or courier.

See below for electronic mail, regular mail, facsimile and courier addresses:

Regular Mail
Program Administrator
Statement of Need / J-1 Visa Program
Health Human Resources Policy Division
Health Canada
Jeanne Mance Building, Address Locator 1918C
200 Eglantine Driveway
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9

By Courier
Program Administrator
Statement of Need / J-1 Visa Program
Health Canada
200 Eglantine Driveway
Jeanne Mance Building, Address Locator 1918C
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Telephone: (613) 952 1912

By Facsimile
Program Administrator
Statement of Need Program
Health Human Resources Policy Division
Facsimile: 613-948-8081

By Electronic Mail
j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca
Subject: Application for Statement of Need, "Your Name"

If you have a question about the administration of your application, please contact the Program Administrator using the following email address: j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca.