On December 8, 2025, the Canadian government — via IRCC — announced new immigration measures aimed at increasing the supply of physicians across Canada. (Canada)
What’s Included in the New Plan
- A New Express Entry Category
IRCC will create a dedicated Express Entry stream for international doctors who have worked in Canada for at least one year (or equivalent) during the past three years — provided their experience is in an eligible medical occupation. (Canada)
Invitations under this new stream are expected to begin in early 2026. (Canada) - 5,000 Reserved Permanent-Residence Spaces for Doctors
The government will set aside 5,000 federal admission spaces, exclusively for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors who hold job offers. These spots are in addition to the existing annual allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). (Canada) - Faster Work Permits for Nominated Doctors
Physicians who receive a provincial or territorial nomination will benefit from expedited work-permit processing — within 14 days — allowing them to practise while their permanent-residence application is being processed. (Canada)
These steps are part of a broader strategy — the International Talent Attraction Strategy — aiming to help address critical labour shortages in Canada’s health-care system by giving internationally trained doctors a clearer, faster pathway to permanent residence. (Canada)
Why This Matters
According to IRCC:
- Immigration now accounts for nearly 100% of Canada’s labour-force growth, underscoring the country’s growing reliance on internationally trained professionals to fill workforce gaps. (Canada)
- In 2024, a substantial number of Canadians — including about 17% of adults and 11% of children and youth — reported not having a regular health-care provider, highlighting the urgency of boosting the physician workforce. (Canada)
By offering a dedicated pathway for doctors already working in Canada — and streamlining the process for those nominated by provinces — the government hopes to help stabilize and strengthen access to medical care, particularly in areas facing shortages. (Canada)
What’s Ahead — And What to Keep in Mind
- The new Express Entry category applies only to doctors with recent Canadian work experience. This means those currently abroad will likely need to secure a job offer and provincial nomination under the reserved spaces to benefit. (Canada)
- Even after receiving permanent residence, physicians must still meet provincial/territorial licensing and credential-recognition requirements before they can practise — immigration status alone doesn’t guarantee licensure. (Canada)
- The success of the policy will depend on collaboration between federal immigration authorities, provincial licensing bodies and health-care stakeholders — including how effectively nominated doctors can be integrated into the medical workforce.
What’s at Stake
With these changes, Canada is making one of its boldest pushes yet to attract and retain international medical talent. By fast-tracking permanent residence and streamlining the path for internationally trained physicians, the government aims to:
- Address chronic doctor shortages — especially in underserved or rural regions.
- Strengthen the overall stability and quality of health-care delivery nationwide.
- Reduce the burden on temporary staffing and improve access to long-term care for patients.
For foreign-trained doctors already working in Canada — or those considering relocation — the new measures offer clearer, faster, and more predictable pathways to long-term integration. As invitations under the new Express Entry category begin in 2026, many eyes will be on how quickly and effectively this initiative leads to real improvements in access to care.
Need Help With These New Pathways?
If you’re a physician planning to immigrate to Canada — or already working here and exploring your PR options — our licensed consultants at Sehli Global Visa Consultant are here to guide you.
Contact Sehli Global
Phone: +1 (289) 752-4340
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