Canada launched New Express Entry Stream for Healthcare Doctors. Apply Now!

In December 2025, IRCC introduced major changes to support Canada’s healthcare sector. The update launched a new Express Entry category specifically for physicians with Canadian work experience, giving them a more direct pathway to permanent residency. The government also reserved 5,000 federal admissions exclusively for physician nominations and introduced expedited work permit processing for nominated doctors. These reforms aim to address Canada’s ongoing shortages in primary and specialist care, improve pathways for foreign-trained doctors already working in Canada, and strengthen provincial healthcare systems affected by staffing gaps.

IRCC has launched a dedicated Express Entry stream called “Physicians with Canadian Work Experience.” This category is tailored for doctors who have already worked in Canada and meet required eligibility criteria. It addresses immigration challenges physicians previously faced—especially due to self-employment billing models—and creates a more straightforward route to permanent residency. The category prioritizes general practitioners, surgeons, and specialist physicians with verified experience in Canada’s healthcare system. Its purpose is to retain skilled medical professionals and ensure a stable, long-term healthcare workforce across provinces and territories.

Eligibility requires at least 12 months of full-time, continuous Canadian work experience—or the part-time equivalent—earned within the last three years. The experience must fall under eligible physician occupations, including general practitioners, surgeons, or clinical/laboratory medicine specialists. Applicants must also meet general Express Entry requirements such as language proficiency, education, and admissibility. This new category is designed to support physicians who have already contributed to Canada’s healthcare system and removes barriers they previously faced under traditional immigration streams, offering a faster, more predictable route to permanent residency.

IRCC will begin issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the new physician-focused Express Entry category in early 2026. The rollout timeline allows IRCC to update systems and coordinate with provinces and territories that will participate in the expanded nomination process. Once active, the category will operate through targeted draws similar to other category-based selections. This marks a significant change to Canada’s immigration system, prioritizing foreign-trained doctors who have proven experience in the Canadian healthcare environment and helping address persistent shortages across medical specialties.

IRCC has reserved 5,000 federal permanent residence admission spaces exclusively for provinces and territories to nominate licensed physicians with job offers. These spaces are separate from existing provincial nominee quotas and offer additional capacity to recruit and retain doctors. This allocation ensures that physician immigration does not compete with broader economic immigration targets. By reserving seats specifically for doctors, the government aims to support healthcare systems under strain, especially in rural and underserved regions that rely heavily on international medical professionals.

The new Express Entry category targets specific physician roles critical to Canada’s healthcare system. Eligible occupations include general practitioners and family physicians, surgeons across multiple specialties, and specialists in clinical or laboratory medicine. These occupations align with designated NOC classifications. While this category is physician-focused, other healthcare occupations—such as nurses, dentists, and allied health professionals—remain part of existing healthcare category-based draws. The new category ensures doctors receive a dedicated pathway without competing against broader healthcare roles for invitations.

No. The new Express Entry category is limited to applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience. Physicians outside Canada who have not completed at least one year of eligible work in the country cannot apply through this stream. However, they may still qualify through other federal programs, Provincial Nominee Programs, or existing healthcare-based Express Entry draws. This category is specifically intended to support doctors already working within the Canadian system and facing immigration challenges due to unique employment structures in the medical field.

The announcement creates a separate physician-specific pathway that will operate alongside existing healthcare category-based draws. While the broader healthcare category includes many occupations such as nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, the new stream isolates physicians for priority selection. This structure ensures doctors receive dedicated invitations without competing with other healthcare professionals. The introduction of this category may also allow IRCC to distribute invitations more efficiently across various healthcare roles, strengthening Canada’s overall workforce strategy and improving immigration outcomes for medical professionals.

Provinces benefit significantly from the new measures, gaining access to 5,000 reserved federal admissions for physician nominations. This allows them to recruit more licensed doctors, fill gaps in hospitals and clinics, and support underserved rural communities. The dedicated Express Entry category ensures faster, more reliable pathways for physicians already working in Canada, improving retention. Additionally, expedited work permit processing reduces delays, enabling doctors to begin work quickly. These reforms directly support provincial healthcare systems struggling with rising demand and staffing shortages.

Yes. Under the new measures, nominated physicians will receive expedited work permit processing, with IRCC aiming for turnaround times as short as 14 days. This allows doctors to start or continue working while their permanent residence applications are processed. Faster permits help healthcare facilities respond to urgent staffing needs and reduce service delays for patients. The streamlined process also enhances Canada’s attractiveness to internationally trained physicians seeking stable, long-term employment and residency opportunities. This improvement aligns with the broader goal of strengthening Canada’s medical workforce.