Canada has taken a significant step toward addressing its nationwide doctor shortage by announcing a new fast-track pathway to permanent residency (PR) for internationally trained physicians already working in the country.
On 8 December 2025, Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab confirmed that the government will open 5,000 additional PR places for foreign doctors, over and above existing immigration targets. The new pathway is designed to retain doctors who are already treating patients in Canadian communities but are currently in Canada on temporary status.
What’s changing?
From 2026, the federal government will introduce a new Express Entry category specifically for physicians. To qualify, doctors must:
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Have at least one year of Canadian work experience within the last three years
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Hold a current job offer in Canada
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Be working in eligible roles, including family medicine, surgery, clinical medicine, and laboratory specialties
Under the new system, provinces and territories will be able to nominate licensed doctors directly into this fast-track stream. Importantly, these nominations will be in addition to existing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations, rather than replacing them.
Doctors nominated through the program will also benefit from accelerated work permit processing (approximately 14 days), allowing them to continue practising while their permanent residency application is finalised.
Why this matters
Canada continues to face a critical healthcare workforce shortage. According to government figures:
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17% of adults and
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11% of children and youth
currently report not having access to a regular healthcare provider.
The policy aims to stabilise the health system by retaining doctors who are already integrated into Canadian hospitals, clinics, and communities.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) welcomed the announcement, highlighting that more than 13,000 internationally trained physicians in Canada are currently not working in their field due to systemic barriers.
What this means for international doctors and employers
For internationally trained doctors already in Canada, this announcement provides something long requested: a clear, reliable pathway to permanent residency.
For healthcare employers and provincial health authorities, it offers a powerful new retention tool—helping ensure continuity of care, reduce vacancies, and build a more stable medical workforce.
Our perspective at Carter Wellington Global Recruitment Group
This announcement reinforces a broader global trend: countries are competing for medical talent, but retention is just as important as recruitment.
At Carter Wellington Global Recruitment Group, we work closely with healthcare employers and internationally trained physicians to navigate licensing, workforce planning, and immigration pathways. This new fast-track PR stream represents a major opportunity for doctors already contributing to Canada’s healthcare system—and for employers seeking long-term staffing solutions.
If you are a physician exploring permanent opportunities in Canada, or a healthcare organisation seeking to secure international medical talent, now is the time to plan ahead for 2026.