Canada has unveiled new Permanent Residency (PR) pathways for foreign medical doctors.
The new PR pathways for foreign medical doctors offer a streamlined and targeted route amid ongoing healthcare workforce shortages.
This was announced by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The agency announced that the new measures included a dedicated Express Entry category for doctors with Canadian work experience, set to begin issuing invitations in early 2026.
The announcement addresses a critical national need, as millions of Canadians lack regular access to healthcare providers. In 2024, approximately 5.7 million adults (17%) and 765,000 children and youth (11%) reported not having a regular family doctor or healthcare provider.
The Canadian Medical Association estimated a shortage of around 23,000 family physicians, prompting the government to prioritize retaining and integrating foreign-trained doctors already contributing to the system.
The flagship initiative is a new Express Entry category specifically for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience. Eligible candidates must have at least one year (12 months full-time or equivalent part-time) of Canadian work experience in the last three years in one of the following occupations;
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
- Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
- General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
This targeted category prioritizes physicians already working in Canada on temporary visas, providing them with a clearer and often faster route to permanent residency compared to general Express Entry draws.
In addition, the government has reserved 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers. These spots are beyond regular Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations, allowing provinces to recruit and retain more international medical professionals to fill regional gaps, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Nominated physicians will also benefit from expedited work permit processing, with approvals expected in as little as 14 days. This allows them to continue or begin practicing while their PR applications are processed.
IRCC also confirmed that Medical doctors can also include their family members in their application, making Canada a more attractive destination considering long-term settlement.
The statement reads: “We’re making the path to permanent residence simpler for international medical doctors to support a stable health care system for Canadians.
“Choose Canada for your medical career
You can apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, and regional, provincial, and territorial programs.
“Express Entry category for medical doctors who have at least 1 year of full-time Canadian work experience as a medical doctor, in the last 3 years.
“5,000 federal immigration spaces reserved through the Provincial Nominees Program to nominate medical doctors with job offers or letters of support to live and work in Canada permanently.
“Medical doctors nominated by a province or territory will also get a work permit processed in 14 days, so they can work while they wait for permanent residence
“You can include your family members in your application.”
The new PR pathways for foreign medical doctors are expected to reduce delays that often prevent qualified doctors from entering the workforce, especially in provinces and territories facing acute health care staffing gaps.
To work as a medical doctor in Canada, first you must:
- Get your foreign credentials assessed
- Get licensed as a medical doctor in Canada through a provincial or territorial regulatory authority
International doctors can apply to come to Canada as a medical doctor through one of these programs:
Express Entry is for medical doctors who are eligible under one of the three Express Entry programs, have relevant work experience as doctors, and do not yet have a job offer in Canada.
Atlantic Immigration Program, this option is for applicants who have relevant work experience or completed post-secondary education in Atlantic Canada, can obtain a job offer from a designated employer, and are interested in living and working in the Atlantic region.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot, this is designed for medical doctors who have at least one year of work experience in the last three years or graduated from an eligible post-secondary institution, can secure a job offer from a designated employer, and are willing to live and work in a smaller rural community.
The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is for medical doctors who have at least one year of work experience in the last three years or graduated from an eligible post-secondary institution, can secure a job offer from a designated employercanto communicate in French, and are interested in living in a Francophone community outside Quebec.
Medical doctors with experience working in Canada can now apply for permanent residence through these programs.
To qualify for the Express Entry system, applicants must be eligible for one of the three federal programs managed under Express Entry and have at least one year of full-time work experience as a medical doctor within the last three years. Candidates may receive invitations to apply through category-based selection rounds, general rounds of invitation, or program-specific rounds.
