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Build your healthcare career in Canada as an internationally trained professional
Explore clear pathways to licensing, career success and support for internationally trained medical professionals in Canada.
Explore clear pathways to licensing, career success and support for internationally trained medical professionals in Canada.
Canada is facing a healthcare labour shortage. According to the Conference Board of Canada, the country could be short more than 117,000 nurses and 44,000 doctors by 2030. Meanwhile, thousands of internationally trained healthcare professionals arrive in Canada each year but face barriers in restarting their careers.
At Windmill Microlending, we believe your education, skills, and experience should not go to waste. That's why we provide low-interest loans and career support to help internationally trained healthcare professionals return to their field and thrive.
We break down complex licensing and credentialing journeys into clear, actionable steps. Explore tailored guides for your profession below.
From covering licensing exam costs to paying for credential assessments or bridging programs, our affordable loans of up to $15,000 can help you advance your healthcare career in Canada. We also provide coaching, mentorship and career planning tools to help you navigate the job market with confidence.
Dentist
Binal, an established dentist in India, moved to Canada in 2014 and began working at a sandwich shop to support her family. Despite long shifts handling meat products as a vegetarian, her life changed when she connected with her Windmill career coach, Robert. With support from a Windmill loan, Binal completed her exams and is now back to her profession, bringing smiles to her patients.
Physician
Payam immigrated to Canada to continue his medical education and secure a residency. The path to obtaining a medical license was challenging, requiring costly exams and certifications. With financial assistance from Windmill Microlending, Payam covered these expenses, easing the financial burden and letting him focus on his studies. Despite the challenges of recertifying skills and adjusting to life in a new country, Payam eventually matched into a family medicine residency at the University of British Columbia.
Psychotherapist
Parikshit, originally from India, moved to Canada in 2019 to study psychotherapy. Facing financial challenges during an internship in BC, he turned to Windmill for support. The loan helped him cover living expenses, complete his studies, and become a registered counsellor. He now works in BC, supports an online mental health initiative in India, and credits Windmill for helping him achieve his career goals and find meaningful work in his field.
Osteopath
Liliana, originally a dentist from Bogota, Colombia, now lives in Barrie, Ontario, and has found a new career in healthcare. After moving to Canada in 2019, she faced accreditation barriers and financial challenges, leading Liliana to work in a factory. With a Windmill loan, she retrained in osteopathy and now finds joy in helping her clients. Liliana plans to open a clinic with her husband in the near future.
You must follow the licensing pathway for your specific regulated profession, which may include credential assessments, exams, bridging programs and provincial registration. Each profession and province has different requirements.
Credential assessments are done by professional bodies specific to your field, such as MCC for doctors, CAPR for physiotherapists, or NACOR for opticians. These assessments verify that your education and experience meet Canadian standards. It is recommended to contact the relevant regulatory body for the profession in your province.
You may be able to work in unregulated roles or assistant positions that don’t require licensure while completing your licensing process. However, regulated positions like physician, nurse or pharmacist require a valid provincial license.
The licensing process can take several months to a few years, depending on your profession, readiness, and province. For example, doctors and dentists typically face longer timelines due to competitive residency placements.
Costs vary widely by profession but can range from $5,000 to $25,000 or more. This includes fees for credential assessments, exam registrations, bridging programs and other licensing steps.
Bridging programs help internationally trained professionals meet Canadian standards by offering additional training or preparation. Not all professions require them, but they are common in the nursing, pharmacy, and therapy fields.
Yes. Windmill Microlending offers low-interest loans of up to $15,000 for costs such as credential assessments, bridging programs, language testing, and licensing exams. We also provide career coaching and mentorship.
Healthcare fields like nursing, family medicine, physiotherapy, medical laboratory technology and sonography are among the most in-demand. Demand varies by province and rural or urban setting.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition(PLAR) evaluates your past education and experience to see if it meets Canadian standards. It's used in professions like opticianry and naturopathy to shorten the licensing path.
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