Canada has introduced three major immigration measures, which will significantly ease the pathway for international doctors who are looking to get permanent residency. On December 8, 2025, Minister of Immigration Lena Metlege Diab and Parliamentary Secretary Maggie Chi announced a new Express Entry category. This is a dedicated allocation of permanent residence admissions and faster work permit processing for physicians nominated by provinces.
These measures come at a time when Canada is actively strengthening its healthcare system. These measures are also released when the country is addressing physician shortages in several provinces. IRCC aims to attract and retain medical talent who are already contributing to the healthcare sector of Canada. This is done by creating more predictable and physician-focused pathways.
New Express Entry Category for Physicians Having Canadian Work Experience
The introduction of a new Express Entry stream known as Physicians with Canadian work experience is the most notable update. This category will accept candidates with the following criteria.
- The candidates must have completed an eligible medical occupation
- Must have at least 12 months of full-time continuous work experience, or a part-time equivalent.
- They should have obtained within the last three years
The eligible occupations include:
- Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
- General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
IRCC has confirmed that Invitations to Apply for this category will begin in early 2026. This new stream is particularly valuable for physicians who are already in Canada. This is because the stream rewards recent medical experience gained inside the country. The stream will operate alongside the current category-based selection. For example, the Healthcare category targets multiple health occupations but does not require Canadian work experience. More updates to category priorities may follow in the upcoming year.
5,000 Permanent Residence Admissions Reserved for Provinces
The Government of Canada will also reserve 5,000 additional federal admissions spaces exclusively for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors having valid job offers. These spaces are separate from the normal Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations. This gives provinces a larger capacity to welcome foreign-trained physicians through nomination pathways.
Admissions allocations are part of the Immigration Levels Plan of Canada. This determines the number of newcomers accepted annually. IRCC has not yet confirmed which program category these 5,000 reserved spots will be drawn from. The move highlights a clear intention to expand the healthcare workforce of Canada.
Expedited 14-Day Work Permit Processing for Nominated Doctors
Another key change is the introduction of a 14-day work permit processing for physicians nominated by a province or territory. This fast-track process is a major improvement over the standard processing times. This often takes several months.
With this change, nominated doctors can begin working in Canada very soon. They can enter while their permanent residence application continues to be assessed. This measure aims to help provinces quickly fill urgent shortages in hospitals and clinics.
How Croyez Immigration Supports International Doctors
At Croyez Immigration, we specialise in helping medical professionals get through complex immigration pathways. With IRCC introducing a doctor-focused Express Entry category and dedicated PR spaces. We offer:
- Assistance with settlement and licensing-related queries
- Complete eligibility assessments for the new Express Entry category
- Guidance to maximise CRS scores and improve ITA chances
- Accurate documentation and application preparation
- Support for PNP nominations and physician job-offer requirements.
Our team has extensive experience with healthcare immigration cases. This ensures smooth and comprehensive support for doctors planning to move to Canada.
The new immigration measures of Canada mark a transformative step for internationally trained doctors looking for long-term careers in the country. There is a dedicated Express Entry category, 5,000 reserved PR admissions and an expedited work permit. With all these, physicians now have more efficient and targeted pathways towards Canadian permanent residency. Croyez Immigration will continue to assist medical professionals worldwide in understanding these updates and securing their places in the growing healthcare system in Canada.
