You are a Syrian Pharmacist intending to migrate to Canada.
What are the things to know?
Applicants who have received their pharmacy training outside of Canada will be expected to enrol on the Pharmacists Gateway Canada to obtain a National Identification Number while submitting for Document Evaluation to PEBC. One needs to register online. There will be two independent forms and two different payments for the Document Evaluation and the Evaluation Examination. All stamped applications may be sent in one envelope together (Applying for Document Evaluation, 2016). For record review, Syrian migrants need to apply the following:
- Document Evaluation printed application form
- Full fee
- Documents to support identity
- Valid (unexpired) Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Marriage Certificate or Change of Name Certificate (if necessary)
- Statutory Declaration and supporting documents
- Documents to support graduation and licensing
- University Degree Certificate
- Transcript
- Licensing Statement
Is this a common practice?
Pharmacists from Syria are entitled to make an Express Entry for citizenship in Canada provided they have the right expertise, qualifications and experience in their native country. Therefore it is a very normal practice because, given they have a decent overall CRS score on their Express Entry applications and therefore can meet the criteria of 67 immigration points for the Federal Skilled Worker Permit in Canada, Syria pharmacists can immigrate to Canada without a job offer (Immigrate to Canada as a Pharmacist, n.d.).
What are the regulators on both ends?
Syria licensing is authorised by the Ministry of Health. There are constitutional provisions in Syria defining the rights and obligations of the Medicines Regulatory Authority (MRA).
For Canada, they must send a formal statement that they are not officially licensed in Syria, produced before a Notary Public, Commissioner for Oaths, a solicitor or Embassy/Consulate Official. It should also specify the country(s) and the followed by the name of the licensing authority(s) that originally licensed them. It has to state explicitly that their license has never been revoked or suspended, or if they really have ever been the target of any disciplinary action. Migrants should request all licensing officials that have previously licensed them to mail a declaration to PEBC stating that the person had been in excellent shape when they were granted a license.
What exams need to be passed?
- Evaluating Examination from Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)
- Practical experience through an apprenticeship/internship program.
- Fluency in English Test (TOEFL)