New pathways for internationally-trained doctors: what the December 2025 IRCC update means

Physicians nominated by a province and deemed practice-ready will receive significantly faster work-permit processing — IRCC has targeted a turnaround of as fast as 14 calendar days for eligible cases. This enables doctors to start working while their PR application remains in process.

Eligibility: who will qualify for these measures

Eligibility can vary across the three measures. Below are the most important criteria to check before applying.

Express Entry stream (physicians with Canadian experience)

• Work experience: At least 12 months continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) work in Canada within the past 3 years.
• Occupation: Must hold an eligible physician role as defined by IRCC (family physician/general practitioner, specialist physicians, clinical/laboratory specialists — check the up-to-date NOC/TEER codes).
• Language: Meet the required English or French benchmark for medical professionals.
• Licensing: While full provincial licensing may not be required for the Express Entry invitation, most provinces will require at least provisional licensing or eligibility to practice once you relocate.

Provincial nominations (reserved 5,000 seats)

• Job offer: Most provinces will expect a valid job offer or a signed commitment from a health authority.
• Provincial licensing: Provinces will nominate candidates who are practice-ready under provincial licensing rules (this may include supervised practice or bridging programs).
• Selection criteria: Provinces will use their own prioritization (rural needs, specialty shortages, language skills, clinical readiness).

Expedited work permits

• Restricted to provincially-nominated doctors who meet practice-ready checks.
• IRCC processing target: as fast as 14 days for eligible applications.
• Applicants should ensure documentation is complete: provincial nomination letter, job offer, proof of credentials and verification, and identity documents.

Timelines & practical expectations

Below are realistic timelines based on the announced measures and typical IRCC processing patterns.

• Express Entry invitations (physician stream): Expected to begin early 2026. Processing of PR after invitation typically follows the 6-month IRCC standard for complete applications.
• Provincial nominations (5,000 seats): Provinces will start issuing nominations in phases; timing depends on provincial intake plans and their speed to verify clinical readiness.
• Expedited work permits: Eligible nominated physicians may receive work permits in as little as 14 days from submission — provided documentation is complete.

What this change means for medical professionals

This package of measures reduces uncertainty, shortens the wait to start work, and improves pathways to PR for doctors already in Canada or who secure provincial sponsorship. For health systems, it helps provinces fill urgent vacancies and retain physicians long term.

Recommended next steps — practical checklist

If you are a physician intending to move to Canada or already working here, use this checklist to prepare:

• Confirm you have ≥12 months Canadian continuous experience (if applying to the new Express Entry stream).
• Secure or maintain a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or health authority.
• Begin provincial licensing checks early — gather all medical degrees, transcripts, exam results (MCCQE, NAC OSCE equivalency if required), and references.
• Prepare language test results (IELTS/CLB or CELPIP or TEF for French) and verify required scores.
• Keep all employer verification letters, pay stubs, and employment contracts ready to prove continuous employment.
• Contact provinces actively recruiting physicians — rural and underserved regions often have expedited pipelines.

FAQ — Frequently asked questions

Q: Who exactly is eligible for the new physician Express Entry stream?

A: Doctors with at least 12 months continuous Canadian work experience in eligible physician occupations within the last three years, who meet language and admissibility requirements.

Q: Will the 5,000 reserved PR spots be enough?

A: The 5,000 seats are intended as an extra pool to help provinces address pressing shortages. Demand will likely exceed supply, so timely provincial engagement and being practice-ready remain crucial.

Q: Does expedited processing guarantee work permit approval in 14 days?

A: IRCC aims to process eligible expedited files in about 14 days, but approvals still depend on complete documentation, admissibility checks, and any required medical or security clearances.

Q: Can nurses or other health workers use these measures?

A: These measures target physicians. Other health professions may be eligible for different programs (PNPs, Express Entry regular streams, healthcare pilot projects). Check provincial programs for specific nurse-focused pathways.

Conclusion — why this matters now

This IRCC announcement represents a significant, targeted effort to bring more physicians into Canada faster and with a clearer route to permanent residence. If you are a physician with Canadian experience or a province has offered you a role, these changes could materially improve your immigration timelines and certainty.