IRCC Sets New Express Entry Doctor Stream and Adds Key Steps

Canada will open more doors for international doctors after a new announcement on December 8, 2025. The Minister of Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab, joined Maggie Chi to share three major steps that aim to help more physicians build stable careers in the country. The plan focuses on faster processing, clearer pathways, and more room for provincial nominations.

New Express Entry Category for Doctors

IRCC will introduce a fresh Express Entry category called Physicians with Canadian work experience. Candidates must show at least 12 months of full-time work in Canada within the past three years. Part-time experience also counts if it equals 12 months of full-time work.
They must also work in one eligible occupation. These include general practitioners and family physicians, specialists in surgery, and specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.

The first invitations in this category will arrive in early 2026. Officers expect strong interest from international doctors already working in Canada. These changes run with the current Express Entry system, which officials often adjust each year.
The existing healthcare category already invites many medical workers, including physicians. However, that category accepts six months of experience from anywhere in the world. The new physician-focused stream sets a higher bar by asking for one full year of Canadian experience. IRCC has not stated how both categories will operate together in 2026.

Provinces Gain 5,000 Special Admission Spaces

The government will reserve 5,000 permanent residence spots for licensed doctors who hold job offers in a province or territory. These spaces come on top of regular Provincial Nominee Program allocations.
This increase gives provinces more control and more room to bring in doctors who can meet urgent staffing needs. These admissions count toward Canada’s annual immigration totals, which outline how many newcomers arrive each year through each program. Officials have not yet confirmed which part of the overall plan will supply these 5,000 spaces.

Faster Work Permits for Nominated Doctors

Doctors who receive a provincial nomination will also gain access to quicker work permit processing. They will receive approvals in just 14 days.
This improvement allows nominated doctors to start working right away while their permanent residence applications continue. Many work permit renewals in Canada normally take months. The shorter timeline will help hospitals and clinics fill gaps faster and help doctors move into stable roles without long waits.

Clearer Path Ahead for 2026

These updates show Canada’s growing focus on healthcare needs. The new Express Entry category, extra admission spaces, and faster permits all aim to help more skilled doctors settle in communities across the country. More details will arrive in early 2026 as IRCC finalizes its program changes.