IRCC holds First-Ever Category-Based Draw for Physicians

Latest Express Entry Draw for Physicians on February 19, 2026

Type of draw: Category-based selection for Physicians    

Invitations issued: 391

Minimum CRS score: 169

Tie-breaking rule: January 03, 2026 at 03:25:14 UTC 

Prediction for next draw: category-based selection draw for Healthcare and social services February 20. Check out our dedicated page for more info on when we’re expecting the next Express Entry draw.  

Our Analysis of the Latest Express Entry Draw for Doctors in Canada

Today’s draw was expected after Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the updated categories for Express Entry on February 18. She said this draw would occur this week. As we said, today’s draw is the first of its kind, so there isn’t much comparable data.  

The category for physicians was introduced in December 2025 as part of IRCC’s ongoing effort to make it easier for internationally trained doctors to gain permanent residency in Canada. It was the first confirmed category for Express Entry in 2026.  

Eligible candidates need:   

• At least one year of continuous work experience in Canada, in a single eligible occupation; and   
• The experience needs to have been gained within the last 3 years.  

The eligible occupations for this new category are the following NOC 2021 codes:  

• 31102 — General practitioners and family physicians  
• 31101 — Specialists in surgery  
• 31100 — Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine.  

What Express Entry Score is Needed for Doctors in Canada?

Today’s low CRS is the second-lowest ever after a massive CEC draw with a CRS of 75  2021.

The score today is also likely arbitrary with IRCC trying to completely empty the pool of eligible candidates. It is not likely any eligible physician would have had a CRS  as low as 169. For example, a 37 year old with a master’s degree, one year of Canadian work experience and a CLB level 7 would score 359. Even a 47 year old with no CRS points for their age would still score around 293.

You can check for yourself using our CRS calculator.

Allocation for Category Draws for Doctors in Canada 2026

There is no known cap on the number of doctors who could receive an Express Entry ITA, but we do know that IRCC has allocated 5,000 federal spaces to provincial governments to select doctors, in addition to the normal Provincial Nominee Program allocation.  

Canada is facing a shortage of doctors. In fact, the Canadian Medical Association ranks Canada 27th out of 37 countries, with just 2.8 doctors per 1,000 people, and 92% of all doctors working in Canada’s cities. This leaves rural areas badly underserved.   

The data indicates that we could see large draws for physicians throughout the year, depending on the availability of eligible candidates.

However, there’s no reliable way to predict how draws in this category will shape up until we see a few more and can establish a pattern.   

Today’s draw was also the first category-based selection round for an occupation (a draw for French-speaking proficiency happened on February 6). There are now 10 eligible categories for targeted Express Entry draws. So, it’s possible we will see more category-based selection draws going forward as Canada continues working to fill labour force gaps.  

Can doctors get PR in Canada?

If you are a doctor working in Canada, this category offers a clear pathway to permanent residence. In addition to the Express Entry category-based draws, there may be opportunities for physicians to immigrate through Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs. 

For everyone else, it signals a shift in how Canada is selecting newcomers for permanent residence. It adds an advantage for temporary residents with Canadian work experience and reinforces IRCC’s agenda to “retain talent already here”.  

For more information:  

• Learn more about the latest Express Entry draws.  

• Check here the current status of the Express Entry pool and the number of applicants by score range.  

• Waiting for a draw in another category? Learn when to expect the next Express Entry draw.  
• Read more about the physicians with Canadian work experience category-based draws.

And if you’d like to stay in the loop about Canadian immigration and settlement updates, join our email community. We share information and breaking news regularly covering immigration, finances, and everything else about settling successfully in Canada, so you’re always in the know.