Foreign Doctors in Canada: New Express Entry Category 2026

Canada has long struggled with a shortage of physicians, especially in rural communities, northern regions, and underserved urban neighbourhoods. In 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a brand-new Express Entry category-based selection round specifically targeting foreign-trained medical doctors who have already gained work experience within the Canadian healthcare system. This is a landmark change that could significantly accelerate the path to permanent residence for thousands of international medical graduates (IMGs) currently working or training in Canada.

If you are a foreign-trained doctor working in Canada, or if you are planning to practise medicine here, this guide explains everything you need to know about the new category: who qualifies, what the requirements are, how to apply, and what steps you should take right now to prepare. For a broader overview of all 2026 Express Entry changes, see our Complete Guide to Express Entry 2026.

Why Canada Created a Dedicated Doctors Category

The physician shortage in Canada is not new, but it has deepened considerably in recent years. According to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), millions of Canadians lack access to a regular family physician. Emergency rooms in smaller towns frequently close due to staffing shortages, and wait times for specialist referrals continue to grow. Rural provinces such as New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia have been particularly affected.

International medical graduates already play a vital role in Canadian healthcare. Approximately 26 percent of practising physicians in Canada received their medical degree outside the country. However, the immigration system has not always provided a clear or timely pathway for these professionals to obtain permanent residence, even after years of contributing to the healthcare system. The new Express Entry doctors category addresses this gap by giving IRCC the ability to conduct targeted draws for physicians with qualifying Canadian work experience.

The IRCC category-based selection page outlines how these targeted rounds work alongside general Express Entry draws. Candidates who qualify for the doctors category may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) even if their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score falls below the general round cutoff.

Who Qualifies for the New Doctors Category?

To be eligible for the medical doctors category-based selection round, candidates must meet several requirements.

• Occupation: You must be classified under a NOC/TEER code for physicians. This includes family physicians, general practitioners, and specialist physicians across all medical disciplines.
• Canadian work experience: You must have at least one year (1,560 hours) of qualifying work experience as a medical doctor in Canada. This experience must have been gained within the three years preceding your Express Entry application. The work can be full-time or an equivalent combination of part-time hours.
• Express Entry profile: You must have an active Express Entry profile in the pool. This means you must also meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the three federal programs managed through Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Most physicians will qualify through either the FSWP or CEC.
• Language proficiency: You must meet the minimum language requirements for your chosen Express Entry program. For most physicians applying through the CEC, this means achieving at least CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French across all four language abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking).

The Licensing Challenge for Foreign Doctors

One of the biggest hurdles for international medical graduates in Canada is the licensing process. Even if you are a fully qualified physician in your home country, you must complete several steps before you can practise independently in Canada.

• Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I: A written examination that assesses medical knowledge and clinical decision-making.
• Residency training: Most IMGs must complete a Canadian residency program through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). Competition for residency spots is intense, and IMGs often face additional barriers compared to Canadian medical graduates.
• MCCQE Part II: A clinical skills examination conducted through standardized patient encounters.
• Provincial or territorial licensure: After completing residency and examinations, you must apply for a licence from the medical regulatory authority in the province or territory where you intend to practise.

Some provinces offer practice-ready assessment programs that allow experienced IMGs to bypass traditional residency training. These programs are particularly common in provinces with acute physician shortages. If you are unsure whether your credentials are recognized, use our credential recognition tool to check your eligibility and identify bridging requirements.

How Category-Based Selection Works for Doctors

Category-based selection is a mechanism that allows IRCC to conduct Express Entry draws targeting specific groups of candidates, rather than simply inviting those with the highest CRS scores. Here is how the process works for the doctors category.

First, you create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool of candidates. Your profile is ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System, which assigns points based on age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors. In a general draw, only candidates above the CRS cutoff score receive invitations. In a category-based draw for doctors, IRCC sets a separate cutoff that applies only to candidates who meet the doctors category criteria. This cutoff is typically lower than the general round cutoff, meaning eligible doctors may receive invitations even with relatively modest CRS scores.

When IRCC conducts a doctors category draw, the system automatically identifies candidates whose profiles indicate qualifying medical work experience in Canada. If your CRS score meets or exceeds the category-specific cutoff, you will receive an ITA. You then have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence, including all supporting documents such as police certificates, medical examination results, and proof of work experience. For the latest draw results and CRS score trends, check CIC News Express Entry updates.

Steps to Prepare Your Application

If you are a foreign-trained doctor working in Canada, or if you plan to be one, these steps will help you prepare for the new category-based draws.

• Accumulate qualifying work experience: Make sure you will have at least 1,560 hours of Canadian medical work experience within the relevant three-year window. Keep detailed records of your employment, including hours worked, duties performed, and employer information.
• Take your language test: Book and complete an approved English or French language test. Higher scores translate to more CRS points and can make the difference between receiving an ITA or remaining in the pool.
• Obtain your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If your medical degree is from outside Canada, you need an ECA from a designated organization. For physicians, the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) provides ECAs specifically for medical credentials.
• Create your Express Entry profile: Submit your profile to the Express Entry pool as soon as you meet the eligibility criteria. Your profile remains valid for 12 months and can be renewed.
• Gather supporting documents: Prepare reference letters from Canadian employers, copies of your medical licence or permits, language test results, ECA report, and any provincial nomination documentation if applicable.

Use our newcomer checklist to keep track of all required documents and deadlines throughout the process.

Provincial Pathways for Doctors

In addition to the federal Express Entry doctors category, several provinces actively recruit foreign-trained physicians through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, which virtually guarantees an ITA in the next draw. Provinces with dedicated physician immigration streams include British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba. Many of these provincial programs also offer settlement support, return-of-service agreements, and assistance with licensing.

If you are considering a provincial pathway, the Immigration.ca PNP resource centre provides province-by-province details on nomination criteria and application processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a licensed physician in Canada to qualify?

You need qualifying work experience as a medical doctor in Canada, which typically requires some form of licence, permit, or authorization to practise. This could include a full provincial licence, a provisional licence, or practice authorization through a supervised assessment program. Residency training in a Canadian program also counts as qualifying work experience.

What if my work experience is from outside Canada?

The doctors category specifically requires Canadian work experience. If your medical experience is entirely from abroad, you may still qualify for general Express Entry draws through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, but you would not be eligible for the category-based doctors draw. Consider gaining Canadian experience through a residency program, practice-ready assessment, or supervised practice arrangement.

How often will IRCC conduct doctors category draws?

IRCC has not published a fixed schedule for category-based draws. In previous years, category draws have been conducted several times throughout the year alongside general draws. Monitor the IRCC website and Express Entry draw announcements for the latest information.

Can specialists and family physicians both qualify?

Yes. The doctors category covers both family medicine and specialist physicians across all disciplines. Whether you practise cardiology, pediatrics, emergency medicine, family medicine, or any other specialty, you may qualify as long as you meet the work experience and other eligibility criteria.

Start Your Journey with WelcomeAide

The new Express Entry doctors category represents a historic opportunity for foreign-trained physicians to secure permanent residence in Canada. If you are ready to take the next step, WelcomeAide is here to help. Use our credential recognition tool to verify that your medical qualifications are recognized, explore settlement resources with our newcomer checklist, or chat with Aida to get answers to your specific questions about the application process. Canada needs your skills, and we are here to help you make the transition as smooth as possible.