TORONTO, ON – The Government of Canada has announced significant new immigration measures aimed at filling critical labour gaps and providing stability to the health care system by making the path to permanent residence simpler and faster for international doctors.
The announcement, made today by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, is part of the commitment laid out in Budget 2025 to attract high-skilled talent.
Minister Diab emphasized that the goal is to attract and retain medical professionals who are already contributing to the system. “Many of these doctors are already treating patients in our communities. We cannot afford to lose them,” she stated.
Dual Approach to Retention and Recruitment
The new plan features two key streams targeting licensed physicians:
1. New Express Entry Category (Retention)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will create a new, dedicated Express Entry category for doctors who are already practicing in Canada.
- Requirement: Applicants must have at least one year of continuous Canadian work experience in an eligible medical occupation, gained within the last three years.
- Eligible Occupations: General practitioners, family physicians, specialists in surgery, and specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.
- Timeline: Invitations to apply for this category will be issued starting in early 2026.
2. Reserved Federal Admission Spaces (Recruitment)
The federal government will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces specifically for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers.
- Addition to PNP: These spots are in addition to the annual allocations provinces already receive under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), significantly increasing provincial capacity to target and recruit foreign doctors.
- Expedited Work Permits: Doctors nominated through this stream will receive expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to begin or continue working while their permanent residence application is finalized.
Addressing the Access Crisis
The policy shift is a direct attempt to improve access to care across the country, particularly given that in 2024, approximately 17% of Canadian adults and 11% of children and youth reported not having a regular health care provider.
“Attracting skilled health professionals is essential to addressing Canada’s health workforce shortages,” said Parliamentary Secretary Maggie Chi.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) welcomed the announcement, noting that a clear pathway for doctors already working here is a step in the right direction. CMA President Dr. Margot 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”.
The new measures will help ensure practice-ready doctors, whose foreign credential recognition and licensing are overseen by provincial bodies, can integrate into the Canadian labour market faster.
