Canada is preparing to launch a new immigration pathway that could make it easier for international doctors already working in the country to become permanent residents.
The Canadian government recently announced a new Express Entry category aimed at addressing critical shortages in the healthcare sector by helping qualified foreign-trained doctors remain in Canada permanently.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the new category will target international physicians who have gained at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible medical occupation within the past three years.
The move is part of Ottawa’s broader effort to strengthen Canada’s healthcare workforce as millions of residents continue to struggle with access to family doctors and medical services.
New Permanent Residency Pathway for Doctors in Canada
The federal government explained that many international doctors are already contributing to Canada’s healthcare system through temporary work permits. However, transitioning from temporary status to permanent residency has often been challenging.
With the introduction of this dedicated Express Entry stream, eligible doctors will now have a clearer and faster route to permanent residence.
“This dedicated Express Entry category, along with the reserved federal admission spaces for provinces and territories, will help bring in and keep practice-ready doctors, so people across Canada can get the care they need,” said Lena Metlege Diab.
The government confirmed that invitations to apply under the new category are expected to begin in early 2026.
Canada to Reserve 5,000 Immigration Spaces for Doctors
As part of the announcement, Canada will also reserve 5,000 federal immigration spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors who already have job offers.
These additional spots will be separate from existing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations, giving provinces more flexibility to recruit healthcare professionals where shortages are most severe.
Doctors nominated under this initiative will also benefit from:
- Expedited 14-day work permit processing
- Faster entry into the Canadian workforce
- The ability to work while waiting for permanent residency approval
The Canadian government believes these measures will help reduce pressure on hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities across the country.
Eligible Occupations Under the New Express Entry Category
The new immigration category will apply to several medical professions, including:
- General practitioners
- Family physicians
- Specialists in surgery
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
These occupations have been identified as high-priority healthcare roles in Canada.
Canada’s Ongoing Doctor Shortage
Canada has faced a growing shortage of doctors for several years, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Data from Statistics Canada revealed that about 4.7 million Canadians did not have access to a family doctor in 2021.
The situation has continued to worsen. In 2024, the federal government reported that:
- About 5.7 million Canadian adults (17%) lacked a family doctor
- Around 765,000 children and youth also had no family physician
Healthcare experts say immigration will play a major role in solving the country’s healthcare staffing crisis.
“Attracting skilled health professionals is essential to addressing Canada’s health workforce shortages,” said Maggie Chi.
What This Means for International Doctors
For foreign-trained doctors currently working in Canada, the new Express Entry category could provide a major opportunity to secure long-term residency and career stability.
It also signals that Canada is becoming increasingly focused on targeted immigration programs that address labour shortages in key sectors such as healthcare. With healthcare workers remaining in high demand across multiple provinces, qualified international doctors may find stronger opportunities for both employment and permanent settlement in Canada over the coming years
