Breaking News: Canada Announces Major Immigration Pathways for Doctors!

Yesterday marked a turning point for immigration in Canada's healthcare sector.

On December 8, 2025, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, alongside Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, unveiled a massive policy shift designed to keep international doctors in Canada permanently.

For years, we have seen foreign-trained physicians stuck in a cycle of temporary work permits. This announcement changes the game.

Here is the full technical breakdown of the new measures and their implications for your application strategy.

1. The New "Physicians with Canadian Experience" Stream

IRCC is opening a dedicated Express Entry lane for doctors who have already served in our healthcare system.

The Official Criteria: Unlike general healthcare draws, this stream is strict about Canadian experience. To qualify, you must have:

• 12 months of continuous full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) in Canada within the last three years.

• A valid license to practice in your province.

Eligible Occupations (NOC 2021):

• NOC 31102: General practitioners and family physicians

• NOC 31101: Surgeons

• NOC 31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine

Invitations for this stream will officially commence in early 2026.

2. 5,000 "Bonus" Provincial Nomination Spaces

This is the most significant structural change. The federal government has reserved 5,000 dedicated admission spaces for provinces to nominate licensed doctors with job offers.

Why this matters: These spots are outside the standard Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) caps.

• Previously, Provinces had to choose between nominating a doctor or a construction worker within their limited quota.

• Now: There is a dedicated federal allocation just for physicians. This gives provinces significantly more power to recruit for rural and underserved areas without "spending" their regular allocation.

3. The 14-Day Priority Work Permit

The government has introduced a new service standard for nominated physicians: 14-day processing of work permits.

If you are nominated under this new stream, your work permit application will skip the queue. This is designed to prevent the "licensing limbo" where a doctor is ready to work but is waiting months for federal paperwork.

📊 The Context: Why Now?

The government cites data from the 2025 OurCare national survey, which found that an estimated 5.9 million Canadians lack a primary care provider.

What the Officials Are Saying:

"We’re giving these doctors a clear pathway to permanent residence in Canada to fill critical health workforce gaps, while helping support reliable care and a stable health system for Canadians." — The Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Industry Reaction: Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), has publicly welcomed the move, stating that creating a PR pathway for temporary visa holders is a "step in the right direction" to closing staffing gaps and improving patient care.

🧭 Arefin’s Strategy for Clients

If you are a physician in Canada on a temporary Work Permit (IMP C12 or others), your window to prepare is now.

1. Audit Your Hours: Ensure your 12 months of Canadian experience are documented perfectly. "Continuous" means no gaps—make sure your employment records reflect this.

2. Verify Your NOC: Ensure your employer has classified you under NOC 31100, 31101, or 31102. Misclassification is a common reason for rejection.

3. Check Your Provincial Status: Since the 5,000 new spots are provincial, you need to be in good standing with your provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons.

🤝 We Are Ready to Help

Navigating the intersection of Medical Licensing and Federal Immigration Law is complex. At Arefin Azam Immigration Solutions Inc., we specialize in high-skilled medical immigration cases.

Contact us today to review your eligibility before the 2026 draws begin.

Arefin Azam, RCIC, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Arefin Azam Immigration Solutions Inc.

📧 Email: arefin@aaimmigration.ca 📱 WhatsApp: +1 (416) 841-6729

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policies are subject to change. Always consult a licensed professional.