Ottawa opening new express entry pathway for international doctors next year

OTTAWA — Canada will open a new express permanent residency program for international doctors next year, Immigration Minister Lena Diab said on Monday.

She said the program will be open to physicians in Canada on temporary work permits who have been working in relevant jobs for at least one of the past three years.

That includes emergency physicians, surgeons, family doctors, dermatologists, psychiatrists and a host of other specialties.

Doctors who qualify for express entry will be invited to apply in early 2026.

“Many of these doctors are already treating patients in our communities. We cannot afford to lose them,” Diab said at a press conference in Toronto.

“It signals to every doctor here temporarily that we value you and we want you to stay.”

Diab says provinces and territories will be able to nominate up to 5,000 international doctors for work permits that will be processed within 14 days.

These provincial and territorial nominations will be in addition to those already allocated through the Provincial Nominee Program, Diab said.

She added this has been a major request from her provincial and territorial counterparts over the last several months and will allow them to focus work permit applications on localized needs.

“We know Canada needs more doctors, but health care needs look different in downtown Toronto than in rural Saskatchewan,” Diab said.

The minister said this is part of a broader plan to move away from a “one-size fits all” immigration approach and make it easier for people in certain professions to come to or remain in Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2025.