December 8, 2025 marks a major turning point in Canada’s approach to immigration and health workforce planning.
In a press conference in Toronto, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health Maggie Chi unveiled a powerful new set of immigration measures designed to boost Canada’s supply of doctors—particularly those already helping Canadian patients on temporary work permits.

These new measures simplify the path to permanent residency, reserve federal immigration spaces specifically for physicians, and strengthen provincial recruitment power. The aim is clear: fix physician shortages and stabilize Canada’s health system for the long term.

This blog provides an in-depth Skylam-style breakdown of everything you need to know about this major policy announcement.

1. Why Canada Is Taking Action Now

Canada’s healthcare system has been under tremendous pressure for years. From emergency room closures to long wait times for primary care appointments, the shortage of doctors affects nearly every province and territory.

The Facts Behind the Crisis

• 5.7 million Canadian adults (17%) have no regular family doctor
• 765,000 children are also without a primary healthcare provider
• Rural communities face doctor turnover every year
• Urban hospitals struggle with long wait times
• The aging population increases demand
• Burnout among Canadian doctors reached record levels post-pandemic

This shortage is not temporary—it is a structural issue.

Canada relies heavily on internationally trained doctors (IMGs). But many of these doctors, even those already working in Canada, face immigration uncertainty and complex pathways to PR.

The Government’s New Approach:

Create targeted immigration systems to bring in and retain the right talent where it’s needed most.

2. Overview of the New Measures Announced on December 8, 2025

The government introduced two major immigration reforms specifically designed for physicians:

A. A New Express Entry Category for International Doctors

This is one of the biggest changes ever made for medical professionals.

IRCC will create a dedicated Express Entry category for doctors who:

• Have at least one year of Canadian work experience
• Gained that experience in the last three years
• Work in eligible medical occupations

This new stream will issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) starting early 2026.

Eligible Occupations Include:

• General practitioners & family physicians
• Specialist surgeons
• Clinical medicine specialists
• Laboratory medicine specialists

This category ensures that doctors only compete with other doctors, eliminating the need for high CRS scores or competing against workers in tech, engineering, or business.

B. 5,000 Federal PR Spaces Reserved for Doctors Annually

The government will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces per year specifically for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors who have job offers.

These 5,000 spots are in addition to existing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allotments.

What This Means:

• Provinces can nominate more doctors
• Doctors get priority PR slots
• PR processing becomes smoother and predictable
• Provinces get autonomy to fill regional shortages

C. 14-Day Work Permit Processing for Nominated Doctors

Once a doctor is nominated, IRCC will process their temporary work permit within 14 days.

This is a dramatic improvement over the usual 2–6 months.

Why It Matters

Doctors can start or continue working while their PR application moves forward.
This prevents staffing gaps and reduces disruptions to patient care.

3. Why International Doctors Needed a Dedicated Pathway

For years, international medical graduates (IMGs) have been vital to Canada’s healthcare system. Yet many faced challenges:

1. LMIA Exemptions Complicated PR Applications

Doctors usually work under LMIA-exempt contracts with provincial health authorities.
These did not always meet Express Entry requirements.

2. CRS Scores Were Often Not Competitive

Doctors were competing with other occupations where CRS scores tend to be much higher.

3. Pathways Were Too Slow

Long PR processing times prevented doctors from settling permanently.

4. Provincial Licensing + Immigration = Double Burden

IMGs often spent years completing assessments, exams, and supervised practice programs while simultaneously navigating immigration hurdles.

The new system removes many of these obstacles.

4. What Makes This New Pathway Different From Existing Immigration Programs

To understand the significance, here is a comparison:

This is not a minor adjustment—it is a structural redesign of how Canada recruits physicians.

5. What The Government Aims to Achieve

A. Reduce Shortages in Critical Areas

From long wait times to overflowing ERs, health-care pressure is intense. Doctors are essential to stabilizing the system.

B. Retain Doctors Already Helping Canadians

Thousands of international doctors are already here, caring for patients while facing immigration uncertainty.
This new pathway ensures they stay.

C. Strengthen Rural & Remote Healthcare

Many communities rely heavily on immigrant physicians.
Reserving PR spots helps provinces deploy doctors faster where they are most needed.

D. Improve Long-Term Healthcare Sustainability

Stable PR status means stable care teams.
Retention reduces burnout and improves patient outcomes.

E. Support Canada’s International Talent Attraction Strategy

Canada wants to compete globally for the best medical talent.

These measures align immigration policy with economic and social priorities.

6. Voices Supporting the Change

Minister Lena Metlege Diab

Emphasized that the government is committed to attracting “top global talent” and filling “critical labour shortages,” particularly in health care.

Parliamentary Secretary Maggie Chi

Stated that recruiting skilled physicians is essential to ensuring that Canadians get timely, high-quality care.

Canadian Medical Association (CMA)

Dr. Margot Burnell praised the move, highlighting that a clear pathway to PR helps create a stronger, more diverse healthcare workforce.

When policymakers, health organizations, and immigration experts agree—it’s a strong sign of a well-designed policy.

7. Who Is Eligible? (Detailed Breakdown)

Here are the expected eligibility guidelines based on government announcements:

✔ One Year of Canadian Work Experience

Must be in the last three years.

✔ Occupation Must Be Eligible

Includes:

• GPs and family doctors
• Specialist surgeons
• Clinical/lab medicine specialists

✔ Valid Temporary Status in Canada

Doctors must be in Canada on a legal work permit.

✔ Active Express Entry Profile

Applicants must submit or update an EE profile.

✔ Language Scores

Expected minimum:
CLB 7 (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF/TCF)

✔ Job Offer (for the PNP stream)

A valid job offer is required for one of the 5,000 reserved PR spaces.

8. Provincial Impact: Which Provinces Benefit Most?

Provinces facing the toughest shortages stand to gain the most from these measures:

Ontario — severe family doctor shortages

British Columbia — overcrowded ERs, rising demand

Alberta — growth in rural towns

Nova Scotia — strong reliance on foreign-trained doctors

Saskatchewan & Manitoba — chronic shortage of specialists

With additional nomination spaces and expedited permits, provinces can onboard doctors more efficiently.

9. What International Doctors Should Do Now

1. Create or Update an Express Entry Profile

Ensure your NOC code is accurate.

2. Gather All Supporting Documents

Including licensing verification and proof of work experience.

3. Prepare for Category-Based Draws in Early 2026

4. Contact Provincial Health Authorities

Provinces will actively recruit doctors using these reserved PR spots.

5. Improve CRS Score Where Possible

Even though competition will be limited, higher scores still help.

10. Bigger Picture: Canada’s Long-Term Immigration Vision

This announcement is part of a broader strategy to:

• Modernize Express Entry

Targeted categories for priority occupations.

• Strengthen the healthcare workforce

Doctors, nurses, and specialists are now central to Canada’s immigration planning.

• Ensure long-term sustainability

An aging population requires more medical professionals—not fewer.

• Balance economic needs with humanitarian goals

Attracting skilled workers supports Canada’s economy and communities.

This approach reflects a shift toward skills-aligned immigration, where intake is tailored to real workforce needs.

11. Expert Skylam Analysis: Why This Policy Matters

From an immigration industry perspective, this is one of the most strategically sound decisions in recent years.

Here’s why:

✔ It solves real labor shortages

Canada doesn’t just want doctors—it needs them urgently.

✔ It respects the contributions of doctors already serving Canadians

Many have been waiting for stable immigration status.

✔ It aligns federal and provincial interests

Provinces can now directly nominate more doctors with dedicated federal spots.

✔ It modernizes Express Entry

Category-based immigration is the future.

✔ It strengthens healthcare access for Canadians

Better staffing equals shorter wait times, improved patient outcomes, and healthier communities.

12. Conclusion: A Historic Moment for Doctor Immigration

The December 8, 2025 reforms represent one of the most impactful immigration announcements of the decade.
By creating a new Express Entry category for international doctors, reserving 5,000 PR spaces, and accelerating work permits, Canada is taking bold steps to stabilize its healthcare system.

For internationally trained doctors—especially those already contributing to patient care—this is a long-awaited opportunity to achieve permanent residency quickly and securely.

Canada needs doctors. Doctors need stability.
This new pathway brings both goals together.

Skylam Immigration will continue monitoring upcoming updates, and a full breakdown of application procedures will follow once IRCC releases technical guidelines.