Canada will roll out a new immigration pathway for internationally trained doctors under its Express Entry system starting in 2026, as part of efforts to ease persistent healthcare workforce shortages.
Gatekeepers News reports that the federal government disclosed that the new stream will create a dedicated Express Entry category for foreign physicians who have gained at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience within the past three years.
The pathway is aimed primarily at doctors already working in Canada on temporary permits and actively providing patient care.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, invitations to apply through the new category are expected to begin in early 2026, offering a faster transition to permanent residency for practice-ready doctors.
Announcing the policy shift, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader plan to strengthen the economy while addressing critical labour gaps in the health sector.
Diab said, “Canada’s new government has a mandate to build a strong economy by attracting top global talent and filling critical labour shortages.”
“This dedicated Express Entry category, along with the reserved federal admission spaces for provinces and territories will help bring in and keep practice-ready doctors, so people across Canada can get the care they need.”
In addition to the Express Entry stream, the government said it will allocate 5,000 dedicated admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers through the Provincial Nominee Programme. These additional slots will be layered onto existing PNP quotas.
Doctors selected through provincial nominations will also benefit from expedited processing, including a 14-day work permit timeline that allows them to begin working while their permanent residence applications are under review.
The move is expected to help hospitals and clinics fill vacancies more quickly, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Maggie Chi, parliamentary secretary to the minister of health, described the policy as a critical step toward improving national health outcomes.
She said, “Attracting skilled health professionals is essential to addressing Canada’s health workforce shortages.”
“Increasing the number of qualified physicians with the expertise our health care system needs will ensure people across the country receive timely, high-quality care.”
Chi added that cooperation with provincial and territorial governments remains central to tackling long-standing staffing gaps.
She said, “By working closely with provinces and territories, we are tackling workforce challenges and strengthening the health care system so Canadians receive the care they need, when they need it.
The announcement has been welcomed by medical professionals. Margot Burnell, president of the Canadian Medical Association, said the new pathway would strengthen the healthcare system and improve patient outcomes.
Burnell said, “By creating a pathway to permanent residence for doctors here on temporary visas, we create a stronger health workforce, staffing gaps begin to close, and patient care benefits from diverse voices and experiences.”
“Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction.”
