IRCC Invites 229 Physicians With Canadian Work Experience in Latest Express Entry Draw

Our Analysis of This Express Entry Draw 

Today’s draw is the third Physicians draw of 2026. IRCC invited 229 candidates with qualifying Canadian experience to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum CRS score of 198. 

The first physicians draw was held on February 19, and the second was on June 24 — more than two months ago. Today’s draw was the smallest of the three, with only 229 ITAs issued. In comparison, earlier ones saw 391 and 271 ITAs each.

The cut-off remained in the 169-223 range we’ve seen for this category so far. Given the low cut-offs, the small draw size was to be expected. IRCC is emptying the pool of eligible candidates with each of these draws.

This draw brings the total ITAs issued to Physicians with Canadian experience in 2026 to 891.

What Does This Mean for Physicians Express Entry Draws? 

Although there have only been three dedicated draws for physicians in 2026, we are beginning to see some initial patterns emerge.

Despite the small draws, the physicians category is currently the fourth most active category in terms of ITAs issued — after French, healthcare and social services, and trades. It has now surged ahead of the senior managers with Canadian experience category, which has seen 750 ITAs so far.

It is also the second-most active category in terms of numbers of draw (after French, of course), being the only occupation category to have seen three draws this year.

It is clear that physicians remain a top priority for IRCC, and we will likely see more draws in this category as more qualified candidates enter the pool. It should also be noted that some eligible physicians might also qualify for ITAs under the healthcare category — although there hasn’t been a healthcare draw since June 25, 2026.