Canada has announced plans to introduce a special Express Entry immigration pathway for foreign-trained doctors, beginning in 2026, as part of efforts to address critical healthcare workforce shortages.

The initiative was disclosed in a statement by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which said the new category will target international doctors already in Canada and actively contributing to patient care.

Under the policy, eligible physicians must have at least one year of recognised Canadian work experience acquired within the last three years. Invitations to apply under the new stream are expected to commence in early 2026.

Speaking on the development, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, said the policy aligns with the government’s commitment to strengthening the economy by attracting skilled professionals.

She noted that the dedicated Express Entry category, alongside reserved federal admission spaces for provinces and territories, would help retain practice-ready doctors and improve access to healthcare services nationwide.

In addition, the federal government will allocate 5,000 admission spaces to provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with valid job offers. These slots will be added to existing Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP) quotas.

Doctors nominated through this route will enjoy expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to begin employment while their permanent residency applications are being finalised.

Also commenting, Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, said boosting the number of qualified physicians is vital to improving health outcomes across the country.

She emphasised that collaboration with provincial and territorial governments remains key to closing workforce gaps and strengthening Canada’s healthcare system.

The President of the Canadian Medical Association, Margot Burnell, welcomed the announcement, describing it as a positive step for both patients and medical professionals.

According to her, providing a pathway to permanent residency for doctors on temporary visas would help close staffing gaps, enrich the healthcare workforce with diverse experience, and enhance patient care.