Canada’s healthcare system is undergoing a transformative enhancement. To address chronic doctor shortages and ensure a sustainable, high-quality healthcare system for all Canadians, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a suite of targeted immigration measures that make the path to permanent residence (PR) significantly simpler for internationally trained medical doctors working in Canada.
With these changes, Canada is reaffirming its commitment to welcoming highly skilled healthcare talent — especially physicians — who are already contributing to the country’s health system.
In this comprehensive Skylam news blog, you will find everything you need to know about:
- The new Express Entry category for medical doctors
- The 5,000 federal immigration spaces reserved through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
- The accelerated work permit processing for nominated physicians
- How to include family members in your application
- Credential assessment & Canadian licensing requirements
- Related facts and statistics on Canada’s health workforce
- Other immigration pathways for healthcare workers
Whether you’re a doctor currently working in Canada or considering a future in Canada’s healthcare ecosystem, this guide has you covered.
1. Why Canada Is Prioritizing Medical Doctors
Canada’s healthcare system relies heavily on internationally trained physicians, yet the supply of doctors has not kept pace with growing demand. With an aging population, rising chronic disease prevalence, and ongoing pressure on hospitals and clinics, the need for medical professionals — especially physicians — has never been greater.
Key Facts
- 31% of family physicians in Canada were internationally trained as of 2024, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
- 1 in 4 healthcare workers in Canada are immigrants, as per the 2021 Statistics Canada census.
- In 2024 alone, more than 11,000 healthcare workers arrived through economic immigration programs.
These numbers reflect the crucial role that immigration plays in strengthening Canada’s health workforce.
Despite this reliance, many internationally trained physicians have historically faced complex immigration pathways, stringent licensing requirements, and barriers to permanent residency. The new measures introduced by IRCC aim to correct this by creating a more direct, fair, and efficient route to PR for doctors serving Canadian patients.
2. What’s New — Canada’s Simplified PR Pathway for Medical Doctors
Canada has introduced three major updates that reshape the immigration landscape for medical doctors:
A. A New Express Entry Category for Medical Doctors
Under this pathway, medical doctors who have at least 1 year of full-time Canadian work experience in a relevant occupation — gained within the last three years — can now be invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.
This category is different from traditional Express Entry streams in that it specifically targets physicians, instead of the broader pool of skilled workers. The focus on occupation-based selection helps Canada attract and retain medical talent where it’s most needed.
B. 5,000 Federal Immigration Spaces Reserved for Medical Doctors via PNP
In addition to Express Entry opportunities, the Government of Canada has reserved 5,000 federal admission spaces specifically for medical doctors through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
These spaces are allocated for provinces and territories to nominate licensed medical doctors who:
- Have a valid job offer in Canada, or
- A letter of support from a province or territory
Once nominated, these physicians can pursue permanent residence with priority status.
C. 14-Day Work Permit Processing for Nominated Doctors
One of the most significant changes is that medical doctors nominated by a province or territory will have their work permit applications processed within 14 calendar days.
This means:
✔ Immediate ability to work in Canada while your PR application is underway
✔ Reduced waiting time for income continuity
✔ Greater certainty and stability for you and your family
These combined features make Canada’s medical immigration pathway one of the most streamlined in the world for doctors.
3. Including Your Family in Your Application
One of the most powerful aspects of Canada’s immigration policy is the ability to include immediate family members in your application.
Who Can Be Included?
Medical doctors applying for permanent residence through the new pathway can include:
- Spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent children
Once your application is submitted and approved, your family will also receive permanent resident status — allowing them to:
✔ Live in Canada
✔ Study or work (where eligible)
✔ Access healthcare and government benefits
This makes Canada an attractive destination not just for work and career growth, but also for long-term family stability.
4. How to Work as a Medical Doctor in Canada
Before you can benefit from these immigration pathways, you must ensure that you are eligible to work as a licensed physician in Canada.
Step 1: Get Your Foreign Credentials Assessed
Doctors trained outside Canada must have their credentials assessed by a recognized Canadian credential assessment body.
Credential evaluation typically includes:
- Verification of medical degree
- Review of training and clinical experience
- Equivalence analysis to Canadian medical education standards
Common credential assessment partners include:
✔ The Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
✔ Relevant provincial medical regulatory authorities
Your credential assessment may also determine what additional exams or evaluations you may need.
Step 2: Obtain Licensing from a Provincial/Territorial Regulatory Authority
Medical licensure in Canada is regulated at the provincial and territorial level. Each province or territory has its own medical regulatory authority that reviews:
- Credential assessment results
- Examination performance
- Clinical experience
- Language proficiency
- Practice readiness
Examples of regulatory bodies include:
⚕ College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
⚕ College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC)
⚕ Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ)
Once licensed, you will be authorized to practice medicine within that jurisdiction.
5. Do You Have Canadian Work Experience?
The new Express Entry category specifically benefits medical doctors who have at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience as a physician.
Full-Time Work Experience Includes:
- Salary or contract work as a medical doctor
- Employment in hospitals, clinics, community health centres
- Practice under valid work authorization
Part-time or irregular clinical experience may be prorated, depending on IRCC rules at the time of application.
Working in Canada and gaining experience strengthens your Express Entry profile, making you more competitive for this targeted PR pathway.
6. What If You Haven’t Worked in Canada Yet?
If you have not yet worked in Canada, you are still eligible to pursue immigration pathways — but your strategy will differ.
You can:
✔ Apply through other Express Entry programs (Federal Skilled Worker, CEC, etc.)
✔ Explore provincial streams that support doctors without Canadian experience
✔ Gain Canadian work experience through:
- Post-graduation work permits
- Job offers through recruitment programs
- Licensure pathways that allow supervised practice
Canada continues to use Express Entry to invite candidates with other health care experience, and you may also qualify for provincial immigration programs designed for health professionals.
7. Other Healthcare Workers — Not Just Doctors
While this new pathway is specifically for medical doctors, Canada recognizes the value of other healthcare professionals who support the system, including:
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Medical technologists
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Healthcare aides
- Radiation therapists
If you fall into one of these categories, you may still be eligible for:
✔ Express Entry
✔ Provincial immigration streams
✔ Temporary work permits leading to PR
✔ Targeted healthcare pilot programs
However:
Most of these pathways still require:
- Credential assessment
- Licensing by relevant regulatory bodies
- Meeting language proficiency standards
- Proof of work experience where applicable
8. Why This Policy Matters for Canada’s Healthcare System
Canada’s new immigration approach for medical doctors represents a strategic shift in health workforce planning. Here’s why it’s significant:
A. Addressing Persistent Physician Shortages
Canada has long struggled with shortages of doctors — especially in:
- Rural and remote areas
- Emergency medicine
- Family practice
- Geriatrics and palliative care
- Surgical specialties
By creating direct immigration pathways for physicians, Canada ensures a steady influx of qualified medical talent to stabilize the system.
B. Supporting Healthcare Continuity and Quality
With efficient work permit processing and reserved PR spaces:
✔ Physicians can stay longer in Canada
✔ Families can settle permanently
✔ Doctors can serve diverse communities
✔ Healthcare institutions can retain talent instead of losing them to long processing times
C. Better Integration of Internationally Trained Physicians
International medical graduates (IMGs) often face:
- Barriers to licensure
- Long delays in immigration processing
- Difficulty finding job placements
The new pathway clearly bridges immigration and professional practice requirements, improving integration.
9. Detailed Breakdown — How the 5,000 Reserved Spaces Work
Canada has allocated 5,000 federal immigration spaces reserved exclusively for medical doctors via Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
How It Works
- Doctor secures a job offer or letter of provincial/territorial support
- Province/territory nominates the doctor for PR
- The nominee’s work permit is processed within 14 days
- Doctor lives and works in Canada while the PR application proceeds
These reserved spaces are in addition to regular provincial allocations, ensuring that health priorities are not diluted by broader economic caps.
10. Real-World Scenarios: How This Pathway Helps Doctors
Scenario A: International Doctor Working in Canada
Dr. A has been working as a family physician in Toronto for 18 months under a valid work permit. She qualifies for the new Express Entry category and receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA). With express processing and a high-priority medical score, she secures PR within months — and her spouse and children are included.
Scenario B: Specialist Seeking Canadian Work Experience
Dr. B, a cardiologist, has not worked in Canada yet. He seeks a job offer in Vancouver, secures provincial support, and is nominated under the reserved PNP stream. His work permit is processed in 14 days, and he begins working while his PR application is processed.
11. Important Requirements & Processing Steps
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Proof of credentials and assessments
- Licensing confirmation from a provincial authority
- Employment contract or letter of support
- Language test results (e.g., IELTS / CELPIP / TEF)
Processing Timeline
- Work permit: 14 days (if nominated)
- PR application: Varies, but accelerated due to targeted pathway
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a job offer to apply?
For the PNP reserved spaces, yes — a job offer or provincial support letter is required. For the Express Entry category, Canadian work experience is the primary requirement.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Permanent resident applications can include your spouse/common-law partner and dependent children.
What if I haven’t worked in Canada yet?
You can still pursue alternative immigration options such as:
- Other Express Entry streams
- Provincial healthcare streams
- Temporary work permits leading to PR
13. Final Thoughts — Canada’s Vision for Its Healthcare Future
Canada’s new immigration pathways for medical doctors reinforce an essential truth:
Healthcare is foundational to Canada’s social and economic wellbeing — and immigration is a key part of that strategy.
By combining:
✔ targeted PR streams
✔ faster work permit processing
✔ reserved nomination spaces
✔ family inclusivity
— Canada is creating one of the most compelling medical immigration systems worldwide.
Whether you’re a physician already serving Canadian communities or an international doctor considering Canada as your next chapter, this pathway offers clarity, opportunity, and a fast-track to permanent residency and stability.
Related Resources
✔ IRCC – Medical Doctors Immigration Page: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/medical-doctors.html
✔ Express Entry – Category Based Selection
✔ Provincial Healthcare Immigration Streams
