IRCC introduces new Express Entry options for doctors, i.e., on December 8, 2025, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Maggie Chi announced three major updates that will make it easier for international doctors to become permanent residents of Canada.

These changes include a new Express Entry category, extra permanent residence spots for provinces, and faster work permit processing for doctors who are ready to practise in Canada.

Under the new measures, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will introduce:

  • A new Express Entry category
  • 5,000 reserved permanent residence spaces for provinces
  • Faster work permit processing for nominated, practice-ready doctors

New Express Entry Category For Doctors

To qualify for the new “Physicians with Canadian work experience” Express Entry category, candidates must:

  • Have at least 12 months of full-time, continuous Canadian work experience (or equal part-time experience)
  • Have gained this experience within the last three years
  • Have experience in one eligible occupation

Eligible occupations and their National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes are:

  • General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
  • Specialists in surgery (31101)
  • Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)

IRCC will start issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under this new category in early 2026.

This category will run alongside all existing Express Entry categories. However, IRCC often updates its priorities each new year, so changes may occur.

IRCC already has a healthcare-focused category that includes doctors, nurses, dentists, and many other health professionals. That category does not require Canadian work experience. With the launch of this new category, it is still unclear how the two categories will work together.

The current healthcare category only requires candidates to have six months of eligible experience, gained in Canada or abroad.

Special Admission Spaces For Doctors

The Government of Canada will also reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories. These spots will be used to nominate licensed doctors who have valid job offers in Canada.

These 5,000 spaces are extra spots and do not replace any existing allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This means provinces will be able to welcome many more foreign doctors as permanent residents.

Admission spaces refer to the number of newcomers Canada plans to welcome in a year under the Immigration Levels Plan. They include all immigration programs, such as Express Entry and the PNP. 

IRCC has not yet explained which part of the plan the 5,000 new spots will come from.

Faster Work Permit Processing

Doctors nominated by a province will also benefit from 14-day work permit processing. This will allow them to start working in Canada quickly while they wait for their permanent residence applications to be completed.

Right now, most in-Canada work permit applications take several months. The new two-week timeline is a major improvement and will help provinces fill urgent healthcare needs faster.

CWRVisa, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at CWRVisa.ca.