Canada has announced a major immigration reform that directly impacts internationally trained physicians: a new Express Entry category specifically for international doctors who already have Canadian work experience.
This category is expected to reshape how practice-ready physicians secure permanent residency, opening clearer and faster routes for those already contributing to the Canadian health care system.
If you are an internationally educated doctor planning to move to Canada or already working here temporarily, this update could dramatically accelerate your path to permanent residency.
Why Canada Created a New Express Entry Category for International Doctors
On December 8, 2025, Canada announced targeted immigration measures to close critical physician shortages. The central update is the introduction of a new Express Entry category for international doctors with at least one year of recent Canadian work experience.
The government’s goal is twofold:
- Retain physicians already working in Canada on temporary status, and
- Fill severe gaps in primary care and specialty medicine more efficiently.
In the words of the Immigration Minister, Canada needs “practice-ready doctors” to maintain a strong, reliable health care system. This category is a direct response to that need.
If you are still exploring your licensing pathway in Canada, make sure to watch my video on medical licensing pathways for International Medical Graduates, which explains how to achieve practice readiness in each province.
What the Canadian Medical Association Says About These Changes
The Canadian Medical Association has welcomed the new pathway, emphasizing that more than 13,000 internationally trained doctors already live in Canada but are not practising due to licensing and immigration barriers. The CMA argues that the new Express Entry category, combined with additional provincial nomination spaces, is a significant step toward activating this untapped medical workforce.
This is an important point for internationally educated doctors to understand: Canada is explicitly signalling that it wants IMGs to transition into practice and that immigration policy will now support, rather than hinder, that transition.
How the New Express Entry Category Works for International Doctors
To qualify for the new category, candidates must meet three core requirements:
1. At least 12 months of continuous full-time work experience in Canada
This experience must be from the last three years.
2. Work experience must be in one eligible medical occupation:
- General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
- Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
This includes a wide range of specialists such as anesthesiologists, pediatricians, dermatologists, radiologists, internists, cardiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, pathologists, and many more.
3. Meet all Express Entry eligibility requirements for the draw
Category-based draws typically feature lower score thresholds, meaning physicians with solid work experience may qualify with a lower ranking score than usual.
This is a major advantage for international doctors who have struggled to compete under general selection criteria.
How This New Category Benefits International Doctors Seeking Permanent Residency
This reform is designed to directly address the barriers that international doctors face in the immigration process. A few major advantages include:
1. A clear, streamlined pathway for doctors already contributing to the system
Doctors working in Canada on temporary visas often face uncertainty around long-term settlement.
This category removes ambiguity by giving them a dedicated route to permanent residency.
2. Lower competition compared to the general Express Entry categories
Only three occupations are eligible. This creates a highly targeted pool, improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
3. Work experience must be Canadian, giving priority to those already integrated
This means your supervised practice, residency, or provisional license experience directly supports your immigration journey.
If you need help understanding how to choose the right PR pathway as a physician, watch my Express Entry vs PNP for Doctors: Choose Right (2026) video.
4. Faster processing for many physicians through related measures
In addition to the new category, Canada will offer expedited 14-day work permit processing for physicians nominated by a province. This is especially helpful for doctors waiting for licensure approvals or job transitions.
5,000 Additional Federal Admissions for Provinces to Nominate Doctors
Canada will also reserve 5,000 permanent residency admissions specifically for provinces to nominate licensed doctors with job offers.
This is a significant increase that will benefit:
- Physicians who already hold a Canadian license
- Physicians transitioning from provisional to full licensure
- Physicians working in rural or underserved communities
What This Means for Specialists
This new category is not limited to family physicians. A wide range of specialists, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, anesthesiologists, dermatologists, general surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists, respirologists, and pathologists, are eligible under the targeted NOC codes.
This is crucial because many specialists have struggled with immigration pathways in the past due to limited job offers or unclear PR options. With this new category, specialists who are already practising or completing supervised training in Canada now have an immigration route designed specifically for them.
Differences Between the New Express Entry Category and the Existing Healthcare Category
Canada already has a healthcare category under Express Entry, but it is broader and less targeted. Key differences include:
New Category for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
- Requires 12 months of Canadian work experience
- Applies only to doctors in three specific occupations
- Focuses on physicians already working in Canada
Healthcare and Social Services Category
- Requires only six months of experience
- Experience can be gained abroad or in Canada
- Includes 37 different occupations, including nurses and social service roles
Who Benefits the Most from the New Category?
This new measure primarily benefits:
- International doctors working under provisional or restricted licenses
- Physicians completing return-for-service agreements
- Residents in training (depending on the final IRCC instructions)
- Doctors who have Canadian job offers but are waiting for permanent residency certainty
- Physicians already in Canada are planning to transition from temporary status to permanent residency
International Medical Graduates who are not yet in Canada may benefit indirectly by accessing the 5,000 provincially reserved admissions, especially if they first obtain a supervised license.
Will This Make It Easier for International Doctors to Come to Canada?
Yes, if you understand how immigration ties into the licensing pathway.
Here is what changes for you:
1. Increased predictability for doctors who follow the licensing process
If you complete licensing steps and start practicing in Canada, you now have a guaranteed Express Entry category tailored to your profile.
2. Provinces can attract you more easily
With 5,000 additional admissions and faster work permit processing, provinces now have stronger incentives to recruit internationally trained doctors.
3. Your licensing strategy directly affects your PR timeline
If your goal is to practice AND obtain permanent residency, you must plan both processes together.
How International Doctors Should Prepare Now
Even though draws begin in early 2026, you should take proactive steps now:
- Create or update your Express Entry profile.
- Determine whether your work experience matches NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102.
- Ensure your licensing status allows you to accumulate the required one year of Canadian experience.
- Begin or continue your licensing journey; the sooner you practice, the sooner you qualify for this category.
- Monitor provincial programs, especially those offering job-matching support for IMGs.
How This Fits Into Canada’s Broader Immigration Strategy
This announcement is part of Canada’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, which shifts immigration policy toward filling sector-specific shortages rather than general economic gaps.
Doctors are one of the first occupations to receive a targeted Express Entry category, indicating the government’s intention to use immigration as a direct tool to stabilize essential public services. This is also why the government introduced fast-tracking of work permits for nominated doctors. Canada wants IMGs to integrate quickly into practice, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Why International Doctors Should Pay Attention Now
The Express Entry program priorities often reset in the new year. That means the new category could influence CRS score patterns, category-based draws, and the way IRCC allocates invitations overall.
For internationally trained doctors, the message is clear: If you are already working in Canada or preparing to start supervised practice, this is the most advantageous permanent residency environment Canada has offered in years. Creating your Express Entry profile early ensures you are included in the moment physician-specific draws begin in 2026.
If you want expert guidance on how to combine your licensing pathway with the new Express Entry category, schedule a consultation.
