On December 8, 2025, Canada unveiled a major update to its immigration system aimed at helping internationally trained physicians transition more easily to permanent residence. The move is part of a broader effort to address chronic shortages in the Canadian healthcare system while streamlining immigration for qualified doctors.
Who’s Eligible Under the New Physicians Category
- At least 12 months full-time continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time) in Canada within the past 3 years.
- Experience must be under one of the eligible physician occupations — defined by specific NOC codes. The eligible NOC codes (as of the announcement) include:
- 31102 — General practitioners and family physicians
- 31101 — Surgical specialists
- 31100 — Clinical and laboratory medicine specialists
- Valid licensing / credentials to practise in the relevant Canadian jurisdiction (provincial/territorial medical regulatory body) — since the reserved admission spaces and work-permit fast-track are for licensed doctors.
- A legitimate job offer (or employment) in Canada, of course. The reserved spaces are for doctors nominated by provinces/territories.
When It Starts — And What to Expect
- The new category was announced December 8, 2025, and IRCC expects to begin issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under this stream in early 2026.
- Provinces and territories will leverage the 5,000 reserved PR spots to nominate licensed physicians, often with the guarantee of expedited processing.
- For doctors already working in Canada — especially those with valid licenses and stable job offers — this may become the fastest and most straightforward PR pathway yet.
What Doctors Should Do to Prepare or Apply
If you are a physician working or planning to work in Canada, consider these steps:
- Confirm that your NOC matches one of the eligible physician codes (31100, 31101, 31102).
- Ensure you have valid licensure to practise in your Canadian province/territory.
- Maintain or secure a full-time job offer/employment under that licensure.
- Ensure you have ≥ 12 months of continuous Canadian work experience in the past 3 years (or equivalent part-time).
- Once the new Express Entry category opens in 2026, prepare to submit — including language test, credentials, licensing proof, job offer, etc.
- If nominated by your province, take advantage of the expedited work-permit processing (14 days) to continue working while PR is processed.
