Express Entry: Canada Invites Physicians To Apply For Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued a new round of invitations through the Express Entry system, this time targeting physicians with Canadian work experience.

The department invited 271 candidates to apply for permanent residence in the June 24 draw. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 223 to qualify.

They also needed to have created an Express Entry profile before 6:13 p.m. UTC on May 31, 2026.

Second Physician-Focused Draw This Year

This was Canada’s second Express Entry draw of 2026 for candidates in the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category.

The first physician-focused draw took place on February 19, when IRCC invited 391 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 169.

Together, the two physician draws have now resulted in 662 invitations to apply this year.

The June 24 draw followed several other recent rounds. On June 23, IRCC invited 4,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates with a CRS cut-off of 516. On June 22, the department issued 955 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program candidates with a CRS cut-off of 730.

Express Entry Draws In 2026

As of June 24, IRCC has held 33 Express Entry draws in 2026.

The largest number of draws this year has gone to Provincial Nominee Program candidates, with 12 rounds held so far. Canadian Experience Class candidates have been targeted in 10 draws, while French-language proficiency candidates have been selected in six draws.

Other categories have seen fewer rounds. Physicians with Canadian work experience have been targeted twice. Healthcare and social services, senior managers with Canadian work experience, and trades candidates have each been targeted once.

This pattern shows that Canada’s 2026 Express Entry activity has focused strongly on candidates already connected to the country, especially those with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.

More Than 85,000 Invitations Issued

So far in 2026, IRCC has issued 85,067 invitations to apply through Express Entry.

Canadian Experience Class candidates have received the largest share, with 41,250 invitations. French-language proficiency candidates have received 30,500 invitations.

Provincial Nominee Program candidates have received 5,405 invitations. Healthcare and social services candidates have received 4,000, while trades candidates have received 3,000.

The physician category has received 662 invitations this year, and senior managers with Canadian work experience have received 250.

Why The Draw Matters

The latest physician-focused draw comes as Canada continues to use Express Entry to select candidates who can help meet labour market needs.

Physicians with Canadian work experience may already have a connection to Canada’s health-care system. By issuing invitations in this category, IRCC is continuing to recognize candidates who have both professional skills and local work experience.

Express Entry candidates who receive an invitation to apply can submit a full permanent residence application. Receiving an invitation does not automatically grant permanent residence, but it allows the candidate to move forward in the immigration process.