Canada Introduces New Residency Options for Foreign Doctors

Canada has launched two new permanent residency pathways aimed at foreign-trained medical doctors to bolster its healthcare workforce. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal indicates that eligible international doctors can utilize a dedicated Express Entry category, requiring at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience as a medical doctor within the last three years.

The second pathway is through the Provincial Nominees Program (PNP), which has allocated 5,000 immigration spaces for medical doctors who possess either a job offer or a letter of support from a Canadian province or territory. Doctors receiving a provincial nomination will benefit from an accelerated work permit, processed within 14 days, allowing them to practice medicine while their permanent residence application is under review.

Family members can be included in either application, making these pathways appealing for those seeking permanent relocation. Before applying, international medical doctors must have their foreign credentials assessed and obtain a license from the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory authority.