CANADA IMMIGRATION
IMMIGRATION MEASURES BOOST CANADA’S SUPPLY OF DOCTORS
IRCC will create a new Express Entry category for international doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience. Image credit: NEWS CANADA.
From IRCC
Measures to support Canada’s health care system by making the path to permanent residence simpler for international doctors were announced recently.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will create a new Express Entry category for international doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation, gained within the last three years. IRCC is giving these doctors already working in Canada on a temporary basis a clear pathway to permanent residence.
The Government of Canada will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers. These spaces are in addition to the annual Provincial Nominee Program allocations. Doctors who are nominated will receive expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to work while awaiting permanent residence.
These measures also support Canada’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, which aims to strengthen the jobs and industries that drive the country’s economy and communities, while helping restore balance and long-term sustainability in the immigration system.
“This dedicated Express Entry category, along with the reserved federal admission spaces for provinces and territories will help bring in and keep practice-ready doctors, so people across Canada can get the care they need,” said Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
“Increasing the number of qualified physicians with the expertise our health care system needs will ensure people across the country receive timely, high-quality care,” said Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health.
“By creating a pathway to permanent residence for doctors here on temporary visas, we create a stronger health workforce, staffing gaps begin to close, and patient care benefits from diverse voices and experiences,” said Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the Canadian Medical Association.”
A few quick facts:
Immigration accounts for almost 100 per cent of Canada’s labour force growth, helping to address labour shortages in key sectors.
In 2024, about 5.7 million or 17 per cent of Canadian adults and about 765,000 or 11 per cent of children and youth reported not having a regular health care provider.
The occupations eligible for these measures are general practitioners and family physicians, specialists in surgery and specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.
Foreign credential recognition and licensing for doctors are the responsibility of each province and territory. This makes the Provincial Nominee Program an effective tool for recruiting health care professionals. Through this program, candidates and employers work directly with the appropriate level of government, streamlining processes and supporting faster integration into the labour market.