On December 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled a new Express Entry category tailored for physicians with recent Canadian work experience. This initiative is set to kick off in early 2026 pending final Budget 2025 approvals. The plan includes 5,000 federal admission spots reserved for licensed doctors nominated by provinces and territories, coupled with expedited 14-day work permit processing. These changes mark a groundbreaking immigration effort focused specifically on physicians.
New Express Entry Category For Doctors Launching In 2026
IRCC is establishing a distinct Express Entry category for international doctors who have practical experience in Canada’s healthcare sector. To be eligible, candidates must meet specific criteria such as having at least 12 months of recent Canadian work experience within the past 3 years in a single eligible occupation. This category aims to transition eligible doctors from temporary to permanent residency status within Canada’s Express Entry system.
Eligible Occupations and Job Titles Under The New Express Entry Category
- General Practitioners and Family Physicians: NOC 31102
- Specialists in Surgery: NOC 31101
- Specialists in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine: NOC 31100
IRCC clarified that actual Canadian work experience in these roles determines eligibility, regardless of the applicant’s listed primary occupation.
5,000 Reserved Federal PR Spaces For Provincially Nominated Doctors
Additionally, the federal government will set aside 5,000 permanent resident admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with valid job offers. This allocation is in addition to regular Provincial Nominee Program quotas, offering nominated doctors expedited work permit processing and the ability to work while their permanent residency application is processed.
Why Canada Is Fast-Tracking Doctors Now
This policy shift is driven by the urgent need to address healthcare access gaps in Canada. With immigration accounting for nearly all of the country’s labor force growth and a significant portion of the population lacking consistent medical care, there is a pressing need to alleviate the physician shortage, especially in underserved areas.
What This Means For International Doctors In Canada Right Now
For international doctors already working in Canada, this announcement provides a clear pathway to permanent residency under Express Entry, ensuring they are prioritized through category-based selection. It also offers a swift route for internationally trained doctors outside Canada to integrate into the Canadian healthcare system through the Provincial Nominee Program.
What Happens Next
Express Entry invitations for the new doctor category are slated to commence in early 2026, with detailed eligibility and draw instructions forthcoming. Provinces will utilize the 5,000 reserved nomination spots once federal approvals are finalized, prompting doctors to prepare by securing relevant work experience, licensing, and job offers.
Canada’s immigration system is now geared towards addressing the physician shortage as a national workforce priority. With the introduction of a new Express Entry physician category and 5,000 reserved permanent residency spots, international doctors in Canada are presented with an expedited pathway to permanent residency, reflecting a pivotal moment in attracting and retaining medical professionals in the country.
