New Express Entry Category For Doctors
Happy New Year! We will continue to share immigration news this year as well, and we appreciate your continued support. In today’s blog, we introduce new immigration priority programs for doctors that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on December 8, 2025.
What Is the New Immigration Program for Doctors?
IRCC plans to start new permanent residence programs for eligible doctors in early 2026.
These programs include:
1. A new priority category under Express Entry
2. 5,000 PR spots for doctors nominated by provinces and territories
*This allocation is separate from the regular Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Canada faces a serious shortage of doctors especially in rural areas and fast-growing cities.
This policy aims to prioritize immigration of experienced doctors who can work immediately and stabilize healthcare services.
1. New Express Entry Category
Firstly, Canada will introduce a new Express Entry priority category for doctors who already have work experience in Canada. IRCC plans the first draw under this new category in early 2026.
To qualify, a doctor must meet all of the following requirements:
a) Must have at least 12 consecutive months of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in Canada within the past 3 years, in one eligible occupation
【eligible occupations】
・General practitioners and family physicians (NOC Code: 31102)
・Specialists in surgery (NOC Code: 31101)
・Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC Code: 31100)
* Even if a doctor currently works in a different primary role, Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation still satisfies this requirement.
* A doctor can check whether their work experience qualifies by searching the occupation title or NOC code on the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) NOC system website:
https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/
b) Must meet the specific Express Entry requirements that IRCC sets for each draw
* These requirements may include language test scores, residency conditions, and related criteria.
Express Entry category-based draws usually have lower point thresholds, giving qualified doctors a strong advantage in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). While the 2025 priority category includes healthcare and social services, the new doctor category differs: It requires work experience in Canada and limits eligibility to specific occupations.
| Criteria | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience Category | Healthcare and Social Services Category |
|---|---|---|
| Required work experience | 12 months of continuous Canadian work experience (full-time or equivalent part-time) | 6 months of continuous work experience (full-time or equivalent part-time) |
| Location of work experience | Must be gained in Canada | Can be gained in Canada or abroad |
| Number of eligible occupations | 3 | 37 |
2. 5,000 Provincial and Territorial PR Spots
5,000 provincial and territorial PR spots for doctor’s nomination
Secondly, the Canadian government will allocate 5,000 permanent residence spots to provinces and territories for doctors who hold a Canadian license and a valid job offer. These spots are separate to the regular PNP annual quota, allowing provinces and territories to nominate more foreign doctors as permanent residence candidates.
Expedited work permit processing
Doctors nominated by a province or territory can expect to receive their work permits within 14 days. This fast processing allows doctors to start and continue working in Canada while their permanent residence applications are in progress.
Please check the IRCC website and their social media channels for more details.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2025/12/targeted-immigration-measures-to-boost-canadas-supply-of-doctors.html
https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1vAxRQEEnZVJl?t=lQcffjpECXY9Z9lQ0o2zCg&s=09
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The new immigration policy provides a strong advantage for doctors with Canadian work experience when applying for permanent residence. Please note that doctors still need provincial licenses and other requirements to practice in Canada.
As mentioned in our previous blog, Express Entry requirements change frequently. Those who are considering permanent residence through Express Entry should check the latest information regularly.
Doctors who need advice of immigration to Canada, please feel free to contact us through this form.
“You are one step closer to Canada!”
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