Canada Introduces New Express Entry Pathway for Doctors: Major PR Relief for International Physicians

Canada has taken a decisive step to address its ongoing healthcare workforce shortage. In a landmark announcement on December 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced new immigration measures exclusively designed for physicians already contributing to Canada’s healthcare system.

These updates significantly simplify the pathway to Permanent Residence (PR) for international doctors, making Canada one of the most welcoming destinations for foreign-trained medical professionals.

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Key Highlights of IRCC’s New Immigration Measures for Doctors

IRCC has rolled out three major initiatives aimed at retaining and attracting qualified physicians:

• ✅ A new Express Entry category for physicians

• ✅ 5,000 additional PR admissions reserved for provinces

• ✅ 14-day expedited work permit processing for nominated doctors

Each of these measures directly addresses long-standing challenges faced by internationally trained doctors in Canada.

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New Express Entry Category: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience

IRCC will introduce a dedicated Express Entry category titled “Physicians with Canadian Work Experience”, with invitations expected to begin in early 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify under this new category, candidates must:

• Have at least 12 months of full-time, continuous work experience in Canada

• The experience must be within the last three years

• Work experience must be in one eligible occupation

Eligible NOC Occupations

• General Practitioners & Family Physicians – NOC 31102

• Specialists in Surgery – NOC 31101

• Specialists in Clinical & Laboratory Medicine – NOC 31100

This pathway is specifically tailored for doctors already practicing in Canada, reducing reliance on foreign experience points.

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How This Changes the Game: Real-World Use Case

Example:
Dr. Arjun, an internal medicine specialist working in Ontario on a temporary work permit, has completed 14 months of Canadian experience. Under previous rules, he had to compete with global candidates under general healthcare draws.

➡️ Under the new category, Dr. Arjun now qualifies for targeted Express Entry invitations, drastically improving his CRS competitiveness and PR chances.

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How This New Category Fits with Existing Healthcare Express Entry Draws

Currently, physicians are included under the Healthcare and Social Services category, which:

• Accepts Canadian or foreign work experience

• Requires only six months of experience

However, IRCC has indicated that program priorities may shift in 2026, and the exact interaction between the two categories is still evolving.

Doctors with Canadian experience will clearly benefit more from the new physician-specific category.

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5,000 Additional PR Spaces Reserved for Provinces

To further support healthcare systems at the provincial level, the federal government will allocate 5,000 extra permanent residence admissions specifically for licensed doctors with job offers.

Why This Matters

• These spots are over and above regular Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations

• Provinces can now nominate more foreign-trained doctors without reducing other PNP intakes

• Faster PR processing for physicians working in underserved regions

Practical Impact

Example:
A rural hospital in Saskatchewan struggling to retain doctors can now nominate more international physicians without waiting for limited PNP quotas—helping stabilize local healthcare services.

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Fast-Tracked Work Permits: 14-Day Processing for Nominated Doctors

One of the most impactful changes is expedited work permit processing for doctors nominated by a province.

What’s New?

• ⏱️ Work permits processed in just 14 days

• Applies to practice-ready physicians

• Doctors can continue working while PR is under review

Why This Is Critical

Previously, work permit extensions could take several months, forcing some doctors to stop practicing temporarily—worsening healthcare shortages.

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Real-Life Scenario: Immediate Workforce Stability

Example:
Dr. Maria, a family physician in Nova Scotia, receives a provincial nomination. Instead of waiting months for a new work permit, she resumes work within two weeks—ensuring continuity of patient care and clinic operations.

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Why Canada Is Prioritizing Doctors in Immigration Policy

Canada faces:

• Aging population

• Rural healthcare shortages

• Increasing patient wait times

• High physician retirement rates

By streamlining PR and work authorization pathways, IRCC is ensuring:

• Long-term doctor retention

• Faster healthcare access for Canadians

• Reduced dependency on short-term staffing solutions

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What Doctors Should Do Next

If you are an internationally trained physician in Canada, now is the time to:

• ✔️ Track your Canadian work experience

• ✔️ Secure or maintain provincial licensing

• ✔️ Explore PNP nomination opportunities

• ✔️ Prepare Express Entry documentation early

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Final Thoughts: A Turning Point for International Doctors in Canada

These new immigration measures mark a historic shift in Canada’s approach to healthcare immigration. For doctors already serving Canadian communities, the road to Permanent Residence is now clearer, faster, and more predictable.

If you are a physician working in Canada—or planning to—this policy update could be your strongest PR opportunity yet.