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Ottawa Unveils Express Entry Stream to Keep International Doctors in Canada

The move targets practice-ready physicians already working in Canada to help ease doctor shortages.

Overview

  • IRCC will create a dedicated Express Entry category for physicians with at least one year of Canadian work experience earned within the last three years.
  • Eligible roles include general practitioners and family physicians, specialists in surgery, and specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.
  • Provinces and territories will have 5,000 reserved federal admission spaces to nominate licensed doctors with job offers, with how these spots fit into the overall immigration levels still unspecified.
  • Doctors nominated by provinces will receive expedited work permit processing in 14 days so they can work while permanent residence applications are finalized.
  • Invitations to apply under the new category are slated for early 2026, and the Canadian Medical Association welcomed the move while calling for broader licensing and training reforms.