Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a significant development for internationally trained medical professionals already working in Canada. On December 8, Immigration Minister Lena Diab unveiled a new Express Entry category specifically targeting physicians who possess recent Canadian work experience. This streamlined pathway is expected to make it easier for many doctors, including general practitioners, surgeons, and specialists, to gain permanent residency (PR) in Canada.
This new ‘Physicians with Canadian Work Experience’ category will be part of Canada’s Express Entry system and is set to launch its first draws in early 2026. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to update or create their Express Entry profiles to ensure they are included when the draws begin.
To qualify, candidates must have at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in Canada within the past three years. They must also be employed in one of the three specified occupations: general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102), specialists in surgery (NOC 31101), or specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100). It is not necessary for this occupation to be the primary one on their profile, but the duties performed should closely align with those outlined under the applicable NOC code.
While physicians may already qualify under the broader ‘Healthcare and Social Services Occupations’ Express Entry category, the new physicians-specific stream has notable distinctions. For example, the physician category mandates Canadian-based experience, whereas the broader healthcare stream accepts foreign work experience and requires only six months of continuous employment. Additionally, the physician-specific pathway has a narrower focus, listing just three occupations.
The new category is part of IRCC’s ongoing efforts to address labour shortages in Canada’s healthcare system. By prioritizing doctors who have demonstrated their value through Canadian work experience, the government aims to retain highly skilled professionals and enhance service delivery throughout the country.
Eligible applicants must also meet general Express Entry requirements, including admissibility, language proficiency, and educational credentials. Importantly, category-based Express Entry draws often feature lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, offering competitive advantages to qualifying candidates.
Physicians interested in applying should consult the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to confirm their job title aligns with the listed occupations. Those performing the majority of duties described under these codes are likely to qualify for this new pathway.
This new development marks a positive shift for healthcare workers already contributing to Canada’s medical landscape and underscores the government’s commitment to both talent retention and improved access to healthcare services nationwide.