Sponsored Visa Trainees | School of Medicine

We are pleased to welcome our sponsored trainees to the postgraduate community at Queen's University and hope that you will find the following information helpful as you prepare to arrive in Kingston.

About Visa Trainees
Every year, Queen's University welcomes residents and clinical fellows from the Middle East. These learners (known informally as 'Visa Trainees') enrol in postgraduate medical education programs through special agreements with their home countries and are fully sponsored by their embassy, university, or employer. They train in Canada on a work visa issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and after completion of their postgraduate training, they will return to their home country.

Start Dates – Applies to all International Applicants

The following start dates apply to all international trainees requiring a work permit.

Start Date: July 1 (Block 1)
Alternative Start Date: January (Block 8)*

Unique start dates are not available.

*January start date is subject to program approval and is only available if July 1 cannot be processed.

Program Submission Deadlines - Applies to all International Applicants

Program submission deadlines apply to all international trainees requiring a work permit, regardless of funding source. Programs must submit complete packages for processing to PGME by the following dates:

Start Date	Due Date to PGME, on/before:
July 1, 2025	November 1, 2024
January 13, 2026	March 31, 2025
July 1, 2026	November 3, 2025
January 12, 2027	March 31, 2026
July 1, 2027	November 2, 2026
January 11, 2028	March 31, 2027
July 1, 2028	November 1, 2027

Processing applications may take up to eight months after all required documentation is received, so it is essential Programs adhere strictly to the submission dates listed above. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Admission

Eligibility

There are many sponsored international trainees participating in a variety of postgraduate training programs at Queen’s University.

Postgraduate training agreements are currently in place between Queen’s University, Faculty of Health Sciences and sponsoring agencies from the following countries:

Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

Applications are accepted annually during the application cycle from applicants who are sponsored by agencies in the countries listed above.

If you are an applicant or a sponsor interested in establishing a postgraduate training agreement, please reach out to sponsored.applications@queensu.ca for further information.

Pre-Entry Assessment Period (PEAP)

All internationally trained trainees must complete a Pre-Entry Assessment Period (PEAP) once their training begins.

If the PEAP is successfully completed, the time spent in PEAP will count toward the overall training period.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the PEAP policy carefully before applying.

Applications Process

Complete application packages (see outline below) must be forwarded to the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office by the applicant’s sponsoring agency for consideration during the annual application cycle.

The application cycle is open yearly from May 1 – August 31.

Applications received are considered for a July 1 start date (block 1) in the year following submission. A secondary start date may be offered by the program for January (block 8), if applicable. Note: January start dates are at the discretion of the program and would be for the January following the July 1 start date option. For example, an application received in August 2026 would have a potential January 11, 2028 start. No other start dates are available.

For Saudi-Sponsored Applicants Only

Sponsored Saudi applicants must confirm their interest in having their application reviewed by Queen’s University by confirming interest through a Queen’s specific application form.

Apply Here: Saudi Applicants: Application Form for Queen's University

The application form is live between May 1-August 31.

Applications will not be shared with programs unless this form has been submitted and the application is available in the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau (SACB) Medical Application System (MAS).

Complete Application Packages

An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV), including:

Citizenship
Mailing address
Email address
Phone number
Current work and education experience

Personal Statement
Letter from sponsoring agency confirming financial support
Copy of valid passport - expiry must be at least one year beyond the start date
Proof of Permanent Resident Status - only required if a citizen of another country but holds PR status in Canada
Copy of Medical Degree (with English translation)
Educational Transcripts
Copy of Final Specialist Certification* – not required for PGY1 positions
Three Letters of Reference

Must be on official letterhead
Signed and dated within two years of the application date
Preferred - from a current or former Program Director who is known to the department and/or has North American medical experience

Proof of English Proficiency ** - see IMG CaRMS guidelines
Proof of successful completion of the MCCQE Part 1 exam (MCCQEE is no longer accepted) – if applicable

Required for all PGY1 residency positions
Required for clinical fellows if final specialty certification is not available at the time of application

Any other documents the applicant would like to include

* The following are not acceptable in place of a Specialist Certificate:

Letters, emails, or attestations
Documents containing phrases such as “will receive,” “eligible to sit for the final examination,” or similar wording
Provisional or unofficial documents

**Programs may assess proficiency through interviews or set their own requirements. Applicants should contact programs directly to ensure they meet the specific requirements of the program.

Application Status and Successful Applicants

Once applications are received by the PGME Office between May 1 and August 31, they will be made available to the relevant programs for review. Please note applications received for a program we are not accepting for will not be shared.

Programs will contact applicants directly if they are interested in scheduling an interview. The PGME Office does not manage the interview process. Offers are issued by the programs to successful applicants and, if accepted, are then forwarded by the program to the PGME Office along with any additional program documents needed to begin registration.

The PGME Office will reach out to successful applicants to guide them through the registration process. Please note that the immigration and registration process may take approximately eight months.

If you have any questions, please email sponsored.applications@queensu.ca.

When you move to Kingston from the Middle East, one of the biggest changes you will encounter is the weather. Kingston, like the rest of Canada, has four different seasons each year. Each season lasts for approximately three months and each has its own unique weather. Many of our residents and clinical fellows from the Gulf arrive in the summer and this season will seem the most familiar to you as it can be quite hot (although nowhere near as hot as in the Gulf states!). Temperatures can sometimes climb over 30C and it's very common to see many people casually dressed in shorts and tshirts.

The Fall (or Autumn) is a beautiful time of year as many of the leaves on the trees change colour. Green leaves change to brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow and will slowly drop to the ground as the weather cools down.

Winters can be cold and snowy. Several feet of snow may accumulate on the ground and temperatures will sometimes drop below -30C. Of all the seasons, winter is the one which can make newcomers nervous. The trick is to know what to expect and to prepare accordingly. Buildings are climate controlled and constructed with weather in mind. In the winter, homes and offices are centrally heated and kept at a comfortable temperature no matter how cold it is outside. When you do go out, you'll need to have appropriate clothing. You'll need warm winter boots, a hat, scarf, gloves, and a thick coat. Winters in Canada can be wonderfully exciting - you can experience sports and activities like skating, skiing, or sledding. In Kingston, there's a winter festival called FebFest which is a great way to enjoy the outdoors in the heart of the city.

As fun as the winter can be, people are always ready for Spring to arrive. The temperatures begin to warm up, the snow melts, and all the grass and parks turn green again. A sure sign that spring is coming is the annual Maple Madness, a chance to see maple syrup being collected and made at a local conservation area.

Whatever the season, be prepared to enjoy something very different from your home country. If you're prepared and have a positive attitude, we're sure you'll enjoy the different seasons in Canada!

Resources

Canadian Red Cross: Welcome to Canadian Winter

Queen's University International Centre: Kingston & Weather

Current Weather and Forecast

Kingston's Location
Centrally located between Toronto and Montreal, Kingston is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario. Ottawa is 200 kilometres to the northeast, while the American border is a short 25-minute drive away. There are frequent rail connections to and from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The city is at the head of both the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Thousand Islands, two of Ontario's outstanding scenic areas, and is only a short distance from provincial and national parks which allow for camping, hiking, canoeing, and other outdoor activities.

Getting to Kingston

– Train service to Kingston arrives at the Kingston VIA Rail Station. There are many trains each day as Kingston is on the mail rail corridor between Toronto and Montreal. There are also regular connections to and from Ottawa.

– Bus service arrives at the Counter Street Bus Terminal. Megabus operates a direct bus service between Toronto's Pearson Airport and Kingston.

– The Queen's campus is about a $15 taxi ride from station, terminal, and airport.

Getting to Kingston by Car

From Montreal
- West on Autoroute 720, then west on Autoroute 20, then west on Ontario's Highway 401
- About 290 km, or about 3 hours by car
From Ottawa
- South on Highway 416, and west on Highway 401
- About 200 km, or about 2 hours by car
From Toronto
- East on Highway 401
- About 260 km, or about 2.75 hours by car
From Syracuse
- North on I-81 to the border of Canada
- West on Thousand Islands Bridge to Highway 401
- West on Highway 401
- About 215 km, or about 2.5 hours by car
Follow Highway 401 to Kingston and exit south on Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd. (exit 615). Follow this street south to Union Street, which is at the eighth set of traffic lights. Turn left onto Union and continue for approximately 10 blocks to the Queen's campus.

Transportation in Kingston
Kingston is a very easy city to get around. Many people who live closer to downtown and Queen's walk or ride their bikes. The hospitals are also very close to the Queen's campus; Kingston General Hospital is immediately beside the campus while Hotel Dieu Hospital is about a ten minute walk from Queen's. There is a free shuttle between hospitals.

A relatively inexpensive way to get around the city is by bus. Kingston Transit operates routes across the city and recently introduced new express bus service along the busiest routes.

Taxis are also widely available but are more expensive than other forms of transportation. In Canada, taxi fares are determined by a meter inside each taxi; fares are not negotiated with the driver.

Resources

Queen's University International Centre: Transportation, ID, & Travel

Resources

Queen's Campus Map

Kingston Health Sciences Centre maps

City of Kingston maps

Ontario road map

Guides for International Students, Residents, Fellows, and Newcomers

Queen's University International Centre

QUIC has extensive information on such topics such as:

Housing
Banking
Food
Transportation
English Language Support
Recreation
Spiritual and Religious Support
Children's Education
Child Care and Family Recreation

Immigrant Services

A comprehensive website designed for newcomers to Kingston. Includes information on:

Tips for before and after you arrive
Living
Working
Studying
Doing Business

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Moving to Canada is an exciting opportunity but also a great challenge. Find what to expect in your first few weeks of coming to Canada and learn how to:

find a place to live,
get around your new city,
work and go to school and
connect with your community.

You will also find information on Canadian laws, health care and how to get help settling in Canada.

Settlement.org

First Days Guide
A Newcomers' Guide to their First Two Weeks in Ontario

Housing
Health
Education
Legal Services
Community and Recreation

Moving to Kingston means finding somewhere to live. Fortunately, there are lots of options. Kingston has lots of rental properties because of the large numbers of students who arrive in the city each year. You may wish to find something closer to the hospitals and downtown, or farther away in other parts of the city. The links below will be very helpful in helping you find out more about the accommodation that is available in Kingston.

Resources

Queen's University International Centre: Housing

Queen's University Accommodation Listing Service

There has been a Muslim community in Kingston since the 1960s and many families now call Kingston home. The community grows during each academic year as Muslim students from all over the world choose to study at Queen's University.

Resources

Islamic Society of Kingston

Queen's University Human Rights Office

Queen's University Faith and Spiritual Life

Kingdom of Bahrain

Mohammed Bin Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa Specialist Cardiac Centre
Road 4524, Block 945, Al Rifa` Wa Al Mintaqah, Rd No 4524, Awali
Bahrain
Dr. Nazar Bukamal: nbukamal@mkcc.bh

Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services
P.O Box 28743
Riffa, Kingdom of Bahrain
Hassan Jassim AlHadi

Kuwait

Embassy of the State of Kuwait Cultural Division
3500 International Drive
Washington, DC 20008
Tel. 202-364-2164
Fax 202-363-8394

Sultanate of Oman

Oman Medical Specialty Board
College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University
P.O. Box 35,
Al-Khod MUSCAT 123m
Sultanate of Oman
Tel. 515102/515151
Fax: 513419

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
2101 Thurston Drive
Ottawa, ON Canada
K1G 6C9
Tel: 613-238-5555
Toll Free: 1-877-446-8212
Fax: 613-563-9010

Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tresa Murphy, Program Manager
Tresa.Murphy@drsulaimanalhabib.com

United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates - Cultural Division
125 Boteler Street,
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K1N 0A4
Tel: (613) 565-7272 ext: 223
Fax: (613) 860 1235
Email: cultural@uae-embassy.com