On December 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced new permanent residence measures for internationally trained physicians who have worked in Canada for at least one year. These measures include a new priority Express Entry draw category, an additional federal allocation of 5,000 nomination spaces, and expedited work permit processing, significantly expanding the pathways to permanent residence for physicians already practicing in Canada.

The key highlights of IRCC’s newly announced priority measures for internationally trained physicians are as follows:

1. New Express Entry Category for Physicians

IRCC will launch a new category under Express Entry specifically for physicians with recent Canadian work experience. The first round of invitations is expected to take place in early 2026.

2. Additional 5,000 Federal Admission Spaces

The federal government will allocate 5,000 new federally managed admission spaces to provinces and territories. These spaces are separate from existing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) quotas and will be used to nominate physicians who are:

• already licensed to practice in the province/territory, and
• holding a valid job offer from a local employer.

3. Faster Work Permit Processing

Physicians nominated under this new provincial allocation will benefit from work permits processed within 14 days, allowing them to continue working while their permanent residence applications are being finalized.

To qualify for this new Express Entry category, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have accumulated—within the past 3 years—at least 12 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or the equivalent in part-time experience) in Canada,
• Experience in one of the following list of eligible occupations is acceptable, even if your current primary occupation is different
  ・NOC 31102: General practitioners and family physicians　
  ・NOC 361101: Specialists in surgery
  ・NOC31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicineand
• Meet all criteria outlined in the instructions for that specific round of invitations, which may include language requirements or other IRCC-specified conditions.

Canada continues to face a nationwide shortage of family physicians, specialists, and other medical professionals. The new measures are designed to retain internationally trained physicians who are already contributing to the Canadian healthcare system.
By creating a targeted immigration pathway, the government aims to:

• improve access to primary and specialist care,
• support underserved regions, and
• reduce administrative barriers that have historically limited physicians’ access to permanent residence.

• Those who have already worked as physicians in Canada may now have a much clearer and faster route to permanent residence.
• The new category recognizes the value of physicians who are already integrated into the Canadian healthcare system and removes some of the barriers that previously prevented them from qualifying under standard immigration programs.
• Licensing and registration with provincial medical authorities remain separate processes. This announcement does not change medical licensing requirements.

The newly announced immigration measures provide a significant opportunity for internationally trained physicians who wish to build long-term careers in Canada. With a dedicated Express Entry category, additional nomination spaces, and faster work permit processing, Canada is taking substantial steps to strengthen its healthcare workforce.