Canada
Canada Eases Path to Permanent Residence for International Doctors to Strengthen Health Care System: In a major move to address critical labour shortages in health care, the Government of Canada has announced new immigration measures that make it easier for international doctors to obtain permanent residence. Supporting the Budget 2025 commitment to attract high-skilled talent, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, along with Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, unveiled the reforms aimed at strengthening Canada’s health care workforce.
Under the new measures, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will introduce a dedicated Express Entry category for international doctors. This stream will target physicians with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience gained within the last three years. Importantly, these doctors are already serving patients across Canada on a temporary basis and contributing directly to the health care system. By offering them a clearer and faster pathway to permanent residence, the government aims to improve continuity of care and stabilize the health workforce. Invitations to apply under this new Express Entry category will begin in early 2026.
At the same time, the federal government will reserve 5,000 additional admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers. These spaces will be over and above existing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations. Moreover, doctors nominated through this route will benefit from expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to continue working while their permanent residence applications are finalized.
Together, these steps form part of Canada’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, which focuses on strengthening essential industries, supporting economic growth, and restoring long-term sustainability to the immigration system. By aligning immigration pathways with labour market needs, the government aims to ensure Canadians receive reliable, timely health care.
Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the new government has a clear mandate to build a strong economy by attracting global talent and filling critical shortages. She emphasized that the new Express Entry category and reserved federal spaces will help Canada attract and retain practice-ready doctors so communities nationwide can access the care they need.
Echoing this message, Maggie Chi highlighted that attracting skilled health professionals is vital to addressing workforce shortages. She noted that increasing the number of qualified physicians will improve access to high-quality care, while close collaboration with provinces and territories will help resolve long-standing staffing challenges.
The medical community has welcomed the announcement. Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the Canadian Medical Association, said creating a pathway to permanent residence for doctors already in Canada on temporary visas will strengthen the health workforce, close staffing gaps, and improve patient care through diverse skills and experiences.
The urgency of these measures is underscored by recent data. Immigration accounts for nearly 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, making it essential for filling gaps in key sectors such as health care. In 2024, approximately 5.7 million Canadian adults, or 17%, and 765,000 children and youth, or 11%, reported not having a regular health care provider.
Express Entry remains Canada’s flagship system for managing permanent immigration applications under programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and parts of the Provincial Nominee Program. The new doctor-specific category will complement these streams by directly targeting urgent health care needs. Eligible occupations include general practitioners and family physicians, specialists in surgery, and specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.
While foreign credential recognition and medical licensing remain the responsibility of provinces and territories, the Provincial Nominee Program continues to play a crucial role. Through it, governments and employers work directly with candidates, streamlining recruitment and accelerating integration into the labour market.
With these reforms, Canada reinforces its commitment to attracting and retaining global talent. By simplifying pathways for international doctors, the government takes a significant step toward closing health care gaps and ensuring Canadians receive the care they need, when they need it.
