Canada Announces New Express Entry Category for Doctors: Complete Guide

Shiwangi Srivastava
[Published 16 Dec, 2025 | 10:46 AM]
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Canada's immigration system is changing to better meet the country's needs, particularly in the healthcare sector, which is in a critical state. Its population has been rising and is likely to surpass 40 million by 2030.

With a continued shortage of doctors in most regions, the federal government has created a new category for doctors, effective early 2026, to provide permanent residency options to qualified physicians already in the country.

This blog will guide you on how to immigrate to Canada as a doctor and outline the essential steps to successfully apply for Canadian PR under this new category.

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What Is the New Express Entry Category for Doctors?

In December 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) formally announced a dedicated Express Entry stream for physicians with recent work experience in Canada. This new category is designed to enable internationally trained doctors to obtain permanent resident status after holding temporary status, thereby eliminating the current workforce shortage in the healthcare system. ITAs under this stream will start in early 2026.

This new status functions under the already existing Express Entry Program in Canada. This points-based system accepts applications for several federal economic immigration categories, but places particular emphasis on eligible physician occupations.

Eligibility Requirements for Doctors

To be eligible for the new category of physician, the applicants are required to fulfill the following salient conditions:

• Canadian Work Experience: 12 months of full-time continuous work experience (or part-time work experience equivalent to full-time work experience) in Canada in the past three years.

• Eligible Occupation: The occupation must be one of the given physician occupations (information below).

• Licensing & Credentials: A valid registration and licensing to practise medicine in the applicable province or territory in Canada is mandatory (as compulsory by provincial medical regulatory authorities).

• Express Entry Requirements: Candidates must meet the standard Express Entry requirements for education, language skills (English/French), and admissibility.

Canada NOC Codes of Doctors

In the new group, only the three Canada NOC codes are present. The following codes reflect the fundamental physician professions that are known in the healthcare system of Canada:

• NOC 31102: General Practitioners and Family Physicians

Incorporates family physicians, general practitioners (GPs), medical doctors and general practice residents.

• NOC 31101: Specialists in Surgery

Specializes in surgical specialties, including general surgeons, cardiac surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and obstetricians-gynecologists.

• NOC 31100: Specialists in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine

Clinical medicine specialists to include cardiologists, dermatologists, anesthetists, radiologists and other experts in the field of lab medicine.

These NOC codes help IRCC identify the eligible physician occupations for the new category.

Other Federal Interventions in the support of Doctors

The government of Canada has also allocated a number of 5,000 permanent resident admission slots to provinces and territories to nominate job offer-licensed doctors to the new Express Entry category. These allocation slots exceed regular Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations, giving provinces greater flexibility to attract and retain physicians.

Physicians nominated by a province through this initiative may also receive faster work permits (up to 14 days) to remain in practice while their PR application is processed.

A Guide on how to immigrate to Canada as a doctor (Step by Step)

The following is a realistic road map on how doctors should proceed in using the new Express Entry pathway:

• Check NOC Code: Ensure your occupation is NOC 31102, 31101, or 31100.
• Secure Licensing: Get medical licensure with the medical regulatory body of the province or territory in which you are to work.
• Experience in Canada: 12 months of eligible work experience in Canada must be accumulated (or already completed).
• Create Express Entry Profile: Join the Express Entry pool after passing federal standards (education, language tests such as IELTS or CELPIP, etc.).
• Monitor Invitations: IRCC ITAs under the new category will be issued at the beginning of 2026.
• Apply for PR: Once an ITA has been issued to you, make a complete application to become a Canadian PR within the given time.

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Advantages of the new Doctor Express Entry category

This is one of the most promising immigration routes for experienced doctors to immigrate to Canada as a doctor due to:

• Another niche might be a stream specific to physicians' work experience.
• Quicker and more predictable Express Entry processing.
• Further provincial nomination opportunities are reserved for PR spaces.
• Work permit processing support is provided while the PR is under review.

The Strategic decision to introduce a new Express Entry category for doctors in Canada is a milestone for internationally trained physicians and a step to counter the severe shortage of healthcare labour.

Conclusion

The special category is available to Canada-based doctors with valid licensure and relevant work experience, offering a fast, specialized, and highly advantageous Apply for Canada permanent residence.

With ITAs expected to begin in early 2026, now is the time to showcase your qualifications, carefully plan your settlement and long-term professional career in Canada, and start the process of securing your admission.

Read more:- Pathways to Apply for Canada PR Without a Job Offer

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