Canada has officially announced a new immigration pathway for internationally trained doctors, marking one of the most significant healthcare-focused immigration reforms in recent years. Confirmed on December 8, 2025, these changes are scheduled to roll out in early 2026 and are designed to fast-track qualified physicians into permanent residence while directly addressing Canada’s critical healthcare workforce shortages.
For international doctors already working in Canada—or planning to do so – this announcement represents a major shift in how physicians can transition from temporary status to permanent residency.
Below is a complete breakdown of what’s changing, who qualifies, and what doctors should do next.
A Dedicated Express Entry Category for Doctors
The most significant update is the creation of a dedicated Express Entry category exclusively for doctors.
This marks the first time Canada has introduced an occupation-specific Express Entry stream solely for physicians, placing doctors alongside other priority categories such as healthcare professionals, skilled trades, and French-language candidates.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify under this new Express Entry category, candidates must:
- Be an internationally trained doctor
- Have at least one year of Canadian work experience
- Have gained that experience within the last three years
This targeted approach recognizes the high demand for physicians across Canada and aims to remove long-standing bottlenecks that many internationally trained doctors have faced under general Express Entry draws.
5,000 Reserved Provincial Nomination Spaces for Doctors
In addition to the new Express Entry category, the federal government has allocated 5,000 additional permanent residence admission spaces specifically for provinces and territories to nominate doctors.
What Makes These Spaces Different?
- These nominations are separate from regular Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations
- They are intended for licensed doctors with valid job offers
- Provinces can use them to address urgent, region-specific physician shortages
- Nomination spots for other occupations are not reduced
This change gives provinces and territories greater flexibility to recruit and retain physicians – especially in rural, remote, and underserved communities – without competing with other skilled workers.
14-Day Work Permit Processing for Nominated Doctors
Another major improvement under this new framework is expedited work permit processing for doctors nominated through these reserved provincial spaces.
Key Benefits
- 14-day work permit processing
- Doctors can begin working in Canada while their PR application is processed
- Faster placement in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings
Compared to standard work permit timelines, this is a substantial improvement and is expected to significantly reduce staffing gaps across Canada’s healthcare system.
Eligible Medical Occupations
The new pathway applies to a clearly defined group of physician roles, including:
- General practitioners
- Family physicians
- Specialists in clinical medicine
- Specialists in laboratory medicine
- Surgical specialists
Doctors working outside these categories may not qualify under this specific pathway but could still be eligible through other healthcare-focused immigration programs.
Why This Matters for International Doctors
For years, internationally trained doctors have faced challenges transitioning from temporary work permits to permanent residence due to high CRS score cut-offs and limited occupation-specific options.
This new pathway:
- Recognizes Canadian work experience gained by doctors
- Reduces reliance on extremely high CRS scores
- Creates predictable, targeted selection
- Supports long-term healthcare workforce planning
For doctors already working in Canada, this could be the most direct and reliable path to permanent residence to date.
What International Doctors Should Do Now
Although the program officially launches in 2026, preparation should begin now.
Recommended Next Steps
- Secure Canadian medical employment as early as possible
- Ensure your work experience meets the one-year requirement
- Begin or continue the licensing process with the relevant provincial medical authority
- Monitor provincial nomination opportunities closely
- Get professional guidance to align your profile with Express Entry and PNP requirements
Early planning will be key, especially as competition for these targeted spaces is expected to be high.
How Earnest Immigration Can Help
Navigating Express Entry, provincial nominations, licensing requirements, and work permits as an international doctor can be complex. At Earnest Immigration, we specialize in helping healthcare professionals transition smoothly from temporary status to permanent residence.
Our team provides:
- Personalized Express Entry and PNP strategy
- Guidance on employer-supported pathways
- Work permit and PR application support
- End-to-end immigration planning tailored to doctors
If you’re an internationally trained physician looking to build your future in Canada, now is the time to start preparing.
Book your free consultation with Earnest Immigration today and take the first step toward permanent residence under Canada’s new doctor – focused immigration pathway.
