Canada Introduces a New Express Entry Pathway for Internationally Trained Doctors
Canada has announced significant new immigration measures aimed at attracting and retaining physicians with Canadian work experience. These changes reflect the federal government’s continued efforts to address physician shortages while creating clearer, faster pathways to permanent residence for doctors already contributing to Canada’s healthcare system.
On December 8, 2025, the Minister of Immigration confirmed three coordinated initiatives that will directly benefit internationally trained physicians seeking permanent residence in Canada. Together, these measures reshape how doctors can transition from temporary status to permanent residency.
Overview of the New Immigration Measures for Physicians
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed the following changes:
A new Express Entry category specifically for physicians with Canadian work experience
5,000 additional permanent residence admission spaces reserved for provincial nominations of doctors
Accelerated work permit processing for provincially nominated, practice-ready physicians
Each measure is designed to reduce processing delays and remove barriers that have historically made it difficult for doctors to remain in Canada long term.
A New Express Entry Category: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
IRCC will introduce a dedicated Express Entry category titled “Physicians with Canadian Work Experience.” Invitations to apply under this category are expected to begin in early 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
At least 12 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience)
The work experience must have been obtained in Canada
The experience must have been gained within the past three years
The experience must be in one eligible occupation
Eligible Occupations
The new category applies to the following physician roles under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC):
General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
This targeted category will operate alongside existing Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program and existing category-based draws. However, IRCC has indicated that Express Entry priorities may shift in 2026, making this new physician-specific pathway particularly important for eligible candidates.
How This Affects the Existing Healthcare Express Entry Category
Canada already runs an Express Entry category for healthcare and social services occupations, which includes physicians along with nurses, dentists, optometrists, and other healthcare professionals.
There are key differences between the two categories:
The existing healthcare category requires six months of work experience, which can be gained either in Canada or abroad.
The new physician-specific category requires 12 months of Canadian work experience, but exclusively targets doctors.
At this time, IRCC has not clarified how both categories will function together once the new stream is fully implemented. Physicians may wish to prepare for eligibility under both pathways where possible.
5,000 Additional Provincial Nomination Spaces for Doctors
In addition to Express Entry changes, the federal government will reserve 5,000 permanent residence admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed physicians with job offers.
These spaces are in addition to regular Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations. This allows provinces to significantly expand their ability to nominate foreign-trained doctors without reducing nominations for other occupations.
While IRCC has confirmed the number of reserved admissions, it has not yet specified which portion of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan these spaces will be drawn from.
Faster Work Permits for Provincially Nominated Physicians
Physicians nominated by a province or territory will also benefit from expedited work permit processing, with applications expected to be finalized in approximately 14 days.
This is a major improvement compared to standard in-Canada work permit processing times, which often take several months. The expedited process is intended to ensure that doctors can begin or continue working while their permanent residence applications are under review.
What This Means for Physicians in Canada
These measures represent one of the most physician-focused immigration initiatives Canada has introduced in recent years. Doctors who are already working in Canada now have:
A clearer Express Entry pathway
More provincial nomination opportunities
Faster work authorization during the PR process
Physicians who may benefit from these changes include those currently working on employer-specific work permits, those transitioning from temporary public policy work permits, and those nominated or planning to be nominated by a province.
If you are a physician working in Canada we encourage you to seek legal guidance early to maximize your options.
To learn more information or seek legal advice, please do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced law firm at rharding@hardingimmigrationlaw.com or book a consultation here.
