Canada has announced targeted immigration changes to make it easier for international medical doctors to obtain permanent residence (PR) and help address persistent shortages in the country’s health-care workforce, according government immigration sources.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled a set of measures designed to create clearer, faster PR routes for qualified physicians, particularly those with Canadian work experience or provincial job offers, under the federal immigration system.
A dedicated Express Entry category for physicians will begin issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in early 2026, targeting internationally trained doctors who have at least 12 months of recent Canadian work experience in occupations such as general practitioner/family physician, specialist in surgery, and specialist in clinical or laboratory medicine.
In addition to the new stream, the federal government is reserving 5,000 additional PR admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with valid job offers through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These spots are separate from regular PNP allocations, giving provincial authorities greater flexibility to recruit and retain physicians.
Nominated doctors will also benefit from expedited work permit processing, with employers and physicians eligible for decisions within about 14 days while their PR applications are underway, a measure intended to reduce delays and keep vital medical staff working in Canada’s health system.
Officials from IRCC have emphasised that these changes are part of a broader effort to strengthen Canada’s health-care capacity by attracting and retaining internationally trained doctors, easing credential recognition challenges and supporting long-term workforce planning.
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