New Pathway for Doctors: Canada Announces Targeted Immigration Measures to Support Health Care

In a major announcement today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, unveiled significant new measures designed to help international doctors transition to permanent residence.

This development is a critical step forward for the Canadian medical community and, specifically, for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are currently serving in Canada on a temporary basis.

Why is IRCC Taking This Initiative?

The driving force behind this initiative is the urgent need to address critical labour gaps in Canada’s health care system. The government has recognized that immigration accounts for nearly 100% of Canada's labour force growth and is essential to filling these shortages.

The statistics released with the announcement paint a stark picture of the current need: in 2024, approximately 5.7 million Canadian adults (17%) and 765,000 children (11%) reported not having a regular health care provider. By creating pathways to retain high-skilled talent already present in the country, the government aims to ensure timely, high-quality care for Canadians and restore stability to the health system.

This initiative is also part of Canada's broader "International Talent Attraction Strategy," which focuses on strengthening industries that drive the economy while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the immigration system.

What Was Announced?

The Government of Canada is introducing two major changes to streamline the immigration process for doctors:

1. A New Dedicated Express Entry Category IRCC is creating a specific Express Entry category for international doctors. This is distinct from general draws and is designed to capture those with specific Canadian experience. To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Canadian Work Experience: You must have at least one year of Canadian work experience gained within the last three years.

  
  

• Eligible Occupations: The experience must be in one of the following roles:

  • General practitioners and family physicians.

  • Specialists in surgery.

  • Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.

2. Reserved Provincial Nominee Spaces To further support regional health needs, the federal government will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces specifically for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors who have job offers.

• ADDITIVE SPACES: Crucially, these spaces are in addition to the standard annual Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations, meaning provinces do not have to "spend" their existing quota on these doctors.

  
  

• EXPEDITED PROCESSING: Doctors nominated under this stream will benefit from expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to work immediately while they await their permanent residence finalization.

Who Does This Help?

Historically, many International Medical Graduates (IMGs) have faced a difficult "chicken and egg" problem: they often need Permanent Residence (PR) to be fully licensed to practice independent medicine, but they need to be practicing to qualify for many PR streams.

However, this announcement is particularly good news for IMGs currently in Canada on temporary status. The measures specifically target doctors who are "already working in Canada on a temporary basis, helping patients."

This effectively bridges the gap for:

• Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) Candidates: IMGs working as family physicians under provincial assessment programs often hold temporary work permits. This new pathway recognizes that experience toward PR.

  
  

• Observerships and Fellowships: IMGs currently undertaking clinical observerships or fellowships who have accrued the necessary one year of experience will now have a clearer line of sight to permanent status.

  
  

These professionals are already contributing to the Canadian healthcare system but often face uncertainty regarding their long-term status. This new pathway acknowledges their contribution and provides the stability they need to remain in Canada permanently.

When Does It Start?

If you are an eligible doctor, you can expect this program to move quickly. IRCC has confirmed that invitations to apply for the new Express Entry category will be issued in early 2026.

How We Can Help

If you are an International Medical Graduate looking to understand how these new changes affect your path to Permanent Residence, we are here to assist.

Our firm regularly helps IMGs from across the world throughout their entire immigration journey. Contact us today to ensure you are ready to take advantage of these new pathways as soon as they open.

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About the Author

I’m Ahmet Faruk Ocak, a Canadian immigration lawyer and the founder of Blacksy Immigration Law Firm 🌊. 

At Blacksy, we specialize in providing honest, straightforward, and tailored immigration solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide. Our brand promise is simple: no unnecessary fuss, no false hopes, and no empty promises—just realistic, reliable guidance to help you achieve your immigration goals.

Whether you’re expanding your business to Canada, transferring top talent, or planning your future here, we’re here to guide you with precision, transparency, and care.

Visit us at www.blacksyimmigration.com to learn more or to start your journey.

The articles on this site are general information, not legal advice, and reading them doesn’t create a lawyer-client relationship. Immigration rules change often, so always consult a qualified Canadian immigration lawyer about your specific situation.