Canada is preparing to launch a dedicated express entry pathway next year to help international doctors secure permanent residency more quickly, Immigration Minister Lena Diab announced. The new program will open in early 2026 and will invite eligible physicians already in Canada on temporary work permits to apply, provided they have worked in relevant medical roles for at least one of the past three years.
Under the plan, provinces and territories will be able to nominate up to 5,000 international doctors for work permits that will be processed within just 14 days. These nominations will be in addition to existing allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program, giving regional governments more flexibility to address physician shortages.
Diab said the initiative reflects a shift away from a “one-size-fits-all” immigration model and is part of a broader strategy to streamline pathways for professionals in high-demand fields. The goal is to make it easier for trained doctors already contributing to Canada’s health-care system to stay permanently and help fill critical gaps across the country.