The Province of Ontario has introduced new eligibility requirements for IMG positions in the province for the first iteration of the 2026 R-1 Match
The Province of Ontario has determined that eligibility for Ontario-based IMG stream residency positions in the first iteration of the 2026 R-1 Main Residency Match will be limited to international medical graduates who obtained, or are in the process of obtaining, their undergraduate medical degree (MD) abroad and who previously completed at least two years of high school in Ontario.
The R-1 first iteration eligibility criteria for Ontario posted on carms.ca has been updated to reflect this information.
How do I know if I’m eligible for Ontario-based IMG positions in the first iteration of the R-1 match?
To be eligible for Ontario IMG positions in the first iteration of the match, international medical graduates must have attended an accredited Ontario high school for two or more years (at least two semesters per year). Individuals are exempt from this requirement if they were unable to attend Ontario high school for the requisite period due to a legal guardian’s deployment or posting outside Ontario as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Diplomatic Service or / Global Affairs Canada.
IMGs who do not meet this criteria or qualify for an exemption will not be eligible to apply to positions offered by Ontario faculties in the first iteration of this year’s R-1 match, but they will be able to apply to Ontario positions in the second iteration. All Ontario-based positions that are not filled in the first iteration will be available in the second iteration of the match in one blended, competitive stream open to CMGs and all IMGs.
Find out more about how to navigate this change
