Canada unveils a new Express Entry pathway for doctors and sets aside 5,000 additional PR spaces

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published January 2, 2026

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Canada has announced targeted measures to strengthen its healthcare workforce by creating a new Express Entry category for international doctors already working in the country and by reserving additional federal admission spaces to accelerate permanent residency pathways.

Under the plan, IRCC will create a new Express Entry category for doctors with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience gained within the last three years. Invitations to apply are expected to begin in early 2026, aiming to retain practice-ready physicians currently in Canada on temporary status.

In parallel, the federal government will reserve 5,000 additional federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers, on top of regular Provincial Nominee Program allocations. Nominated physicians will also benefit from expedited 14-day work permit processing so they can keep working while awaiting PR processing.