Canada Expands Immigration Pathways to Attract and Retain International Doctors

Canada has introduced new targeted immigration measures to attract and retain international doctors, strengthening the country’s health care system and addressing nationwide physician shortages.

As part of Budget 2025, the Government of Canada is prioritizing immigration streams that directly support essential services and critical labour market needs. The newly announced measures will make it easier for internationally trained doctors already working in Canada to transition to permanent residence, ensuring long-term stability in the health workforce.

To support this effort, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will create a dedicated Express Entry category for international doctors with at least one year of recent Canadian work experience in eligible medical occupations. Invitations under this new category will begin in early 2026, providing thousands of practice-ready physicians with a clear, dedicated PR pathway.

The government will also reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors who hold job offers. These spaces are in addition to existing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations, enabling regions across Canada to recruit physicians more effectively. Doctors nominated through these spaces will benefit from expedited 14-day work permit processing, ensuring they can continue serving patients while awaiting permanent residence.

“Canada’s new government has a mandate to build a strong economy by attracting top global talent and filling critical labour shortages,” said the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. “This dedicated Express Entry category and new federal admission spaces will help bring in and keep practice-ready doctors, so people across Canada can get the care they need.”

“Attracting skilled health professionals is essential to addressing Canada’s health workforce shortages,” added Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health. “By increasing the number of qualified physicians with the expertise our health care system needs, we ensure people across the country receive timely, high-quality care.”

The Canadian Medical Association also welcomed the announcement. “By creating a pathway to permanent residence for doctors here on temporary visas, we strengthen the health workforce, close staffing gaps, and improve patient care,” said Dr. Margot Burnell, CMA President.

These updates align with Canada’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, which focuses on supporting key economic sectors, improving system sustainability, and ensuring Canadians receive reliable health care.

Key Facts:

• Immigration accounts for nearly 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, supporting essential sectors such as health care.
• In 2024, about 17% of adults and 11% of children in Canada reported not having a regular health care provider.
• Occupations eligible under these measures include:
  • General practitioners and family physicians
  • Specialists in surgery
  • Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
• The Express Entry system manages permanent residence applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class, and portions of the PNP.
• Provinces and territories handle foreign credential recognition for doctors, making PNP pathways essential for recruitment.
• These measures complement other initiatives aimed at attracting skilled international graduates and strengthening Canada’s talent pipeline.

Canada’s latest reforms highlight the government’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient health care system, one that ensures every community has access to the physicians they need.