The Government of Canada is taking steps to address critical health workforce shortages by creating a streamlined path to permanent residence for international doctors already working in the country.
The announcement came yesterday in a statement by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Diab and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, which announced that a new express entry category will be introduced for international doctors who have at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years.
The move follows persistent physician shortages and is part of broader efforts to stabilise Canada’s health system while attracting high-skilled professionals. While Canada is opening a new Express Entry pathway for foreign doctors, it is simultaneously tightening its wider immigration system for 2026.
“Invitations to apply are expected to be issued in early 2026.
“These measures will help bring in and retain practice-ready doctors so Canadians can access the care they need,
“By attracting top global talent, we are strengthening both the economy and our health care system,” Diab said.
The statement added that the Federal Government will reserve 5,000 admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers.
Nominated doctors will benefit from expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to continue working while their permanent residence applications are processed.
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Chi emphasised the importance of attracting skilled health professionals.
“Increasing the number of qualified physicians ensures timely, high-quality care across the country. Working with provinces and territories, we are tackling workforce challenges and strengthening our health care system,” she said.
The President of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Margot Burnell, welcomed the announcement, noting that the new pathway will help close staffing gaps and enrich patient care through diverse perspectives and experiences.
Nigeria already struggles with insufficient doctors, yet the distribution is significantly skewed toward the south.
While Nigeria continues to face severe shortage of medical doctors, with some states reporting a single doctor attending to over 43,000 patients, putting immense pressure on the healthcare system, the situation is about to get worse as Canada is set to introduce a new Express Entry category in early 2026 to help foreign doctors working in the country transition to permanent resident.
The initiative is part of Canada’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, which aims to fill critical labour gaps, support key industries, and ensure long-term sustainability in the immigration system.