Canada has announced new, targeted immigration measures to strengthen the country’s physician workforce and streamline permanent residence pathways for doctors already contributing to the health system. The initiative introduces a dedicated Express Entry category for international doctors with recent Canadian work experience and reserves federal admission spaces to help provinces and territories retain licensed physicians.
What’s Changing? Key Measures at a Glance
- New Express Entry Category for Doctors: IRCC will create a category for international doctors who have at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation within the last three years. Invitations to apply through this category are set to begin in early 2026.
- Reserved Federal Admission Spaces: The Government of Canada will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers, in addition to existing Provincial Nominee Program allocations. Nominated doctors will benefit from expedited 14‑day work permit processing while their permanent residence is finalized.
- Strategic Alignment: These measures support Canada’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy and dovetail with the federal Immigration Levels Plan, which prioritizes transitions to permanent residence for individuals already working in Canada.
Why It Matters
Canada’s health system faces persistent workforce pressures, and immigrants are already a cornerstone of care delivery. Immigrants account for 37% of physicians, 25% of registered nurses, and 45% of dentists nationwide – underscoring their essential role in sustaining access to care. Strengthening immigration pathways for doctors aims to stabilize staffing, reduce wait times, and improve continuity of care across provinces.
These targeted measures build on prior IRCC actions to remove barriers for physicians who work under Canada’s fee‑for‑service model, enabling more doctors already serving Canadian patients to transition to permanent residence.
Who Is Eligible Under the New Category?
- International doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible medical occupation earned within the last three years.
- Physicians must meet Express Entry criteria and any province/territory nomination requirements if applying through reserved admission spaces.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.