IRCC Unveils Eligible Occupations for New Physicians Category

In a targeted effort to address critical labour gaps and stabilize its healthcare system, Immigration Minister Lena Diab announced on December 8th the creation of a new Express Entry category exclusively for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience. This significant immigration measure signals Canada’s commitment to retaining the highly skilled international medical graduates already practicing on temporary visas, offering them a streamlined path to permanent residence (PR) starting in early 2026.

This dedicated pathway is a key element of Canada’s evolving strategy for IRCC‘s Category-based Selection—a system introduced in 2023 to invite candidates possessing in-demand skills aligned with the country’s economic and labour priorities. Due to the highly specific nature of this new category, draws under this stream are anticipated to have some of the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-offs, significantly improving the chances for eligible doctors to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Sharpened Eligibility: The Focus is on Canadian Experience

This new category is designed to be highly focused, setting stricter requirements than the existing, broader Express Entry healthcare stream. The core criteria emphasize recent work experience gained within Canada:

• Duration: Candidates must possess at least 12 months of continuous full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time hours).
• Location: This experience must have been completed in Canada.
• Recency: The experience must have been accumulated within the past three years.

This emphasis on Canadian work experience ensures that those invited are already familiar with the country’s healthcare protocols and are immediately practice-ready, minimizing the administrative burden for provincial licensing bodies.

The Three Pillars of Medical Eligibility

The new IRCC stream targets only three specific occupations under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system:

1. General Practitioners and Family Physicians (NOC 31102): This includes family doctors and general practice residents, essential for providing primary and continuous care.
2. Specialists in Surgery (NOC 31101): Covering a wide range of professionals from cardiac surgeons and neurosurgeons to obstetrician-gynecologists.
3. Specialists in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine (NOC 31100): This broad category encompasses vital roles such as cardiologists, dermatologists, emergency physicians, psychiatrists, and pathologists.

Eligible foreign nationals must have their experience in one of these three NOC codes, demonstrating that their job duties substantially match the description outlined in the official NOC system.

Taking Action Now

With the first draws scheduled for early 2026, physicians who meet the 12-month Canadian work experience requirement are strongly encouraged to create or update their IRCC Express Entry profiles immediately. Doing so ensures they are active in the pool and eligible for consideration when invitations commence. Furthermore, applicants must remain eligible for one of Express Entry’s base programs—the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)—in addition to meeting the new category criteria.

By prioritizing doctors already working within the country, Canada aims to close critical healthcare vacancies and offer a stable future to the medical professionals who are actively supporting its citizens.

Please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com for more information