Physicians with Canadian Work Experience Category for Express Entry

This guide is for physicians with Canadian work experience who want to understand the new Express Entry category introduced in 2026. It explains who the category is designed for, how it fits within the Express Entry system, and the key eligibility factors general practitioners and specialists should review before applying.

What is the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience Express Entry Category?

The Physicians with Canadian work experience category is part of Canada’s Express Entry category-based selection system. Introduced in 2026, it allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite physicians with recent Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence.

The category focuses on General practitioners, family physicians and some specialists who are already working in Canada and who have gained at least one year of Canadian medical work experience within the last three years.

Who’s Eligible for the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience Category

To qualify for the Physicians with Canadian work experience category, applicants  must meet specific requirements, including:

• An active Express Entry profile under one of these three programs:
  • • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Meet the minimum requirements for the round, including the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off and tiebreaker rules.
• Have at least one year of full-time, cumulative work experience (or an equivalent in part-time work experience) in one single eligible occupation listed below. If your work experience spans multiple occupations, you will need to accumulate one year in a single occupation to qualify.

Occupations Eligible for Physicians with Canadian work experience in Express Entry Draws

Here is the list of current occupations and their specific NOC codes that are eligible for Physicians with Canadian work experience category-based draws under the Canadian Express Entry system:

Does my primary occupation need to be a Physician to be selected in an Physicians draw?

No. You don’t need your primary occupation to be a physician to be selected. You simply need at least one year of work experience in the last three years in an eligible skilled occupation.

I have 6+ months of work experience in an eligible physician’s category occupation. Am I eligible?

No. Starting February 18, 2026, the minimum work experience is 1 year in an eligible occupation.

This means there are two separate work experience requirements to meet:

• You must meet the work experience criteria for one of the three Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, or FST). Each of these programs has different work experience requirements, usually between one and two years, andthis experience does not need to be in the field of education. You can check your eligibility using our CRS calculator.
• But you must also have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in an eligible occupation within the last three years.

How To Apply For Physicians with Canadian Work Experience Category

Step 1: You must be eligible for Express Entry

The first step to getting invited to apply in a Physicians-specific draw is to get into the Express Entry pool.

There are three possible programs you can be eligible for to join the Express Entry pool of candidates:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)

Step 2: Enter Your Profile Into the Express Entry Pool

If you’re eligible for at least one program, you can submit your candidate profile to the Express Entry pool.

To improve your chances, stay updated on Express Entry Candidate Pool trends to assess your competitiveness for the next draws.

Step 3: Check Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score

After submitting your profile, you will receive a CRS score. This score determines your ranking in the Express Entry pool and is based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language ability.

You can also check your CRS points using our comprehensive Free Express Entry points calculator. The benefit of using our tool is that you get a detailed overview of where you get your points and how your score compares to others in the pool.

Step 4: Waiting for IRCC Draws to receive an Invitation to Apply

All the Physicians’ Occupations draws have a CRS cut-off. Your chances of receiving an invitation to apply depend on your CRS score and the cut-off for the draw.

If your CRS score meets or exceeds the cut-off, you will receive an invitation to apply. If your score is below the cut-off, you will need to work on improving your CRS for future draws.

Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residence

Once invited, you can submit your permanent residence application. If successful, you’ll be on your way to starting a new chapter in Canada. If not, use the time to enhance your profile and increase your CRS score for the next opportunity.

Physicians Occupations Category FAQ

Can physicians get PR in Canada?

Yes. Physicians can obtain Canadian permanent residence through several immigration pathways. One option is Express Entry, which now includes two relevant categories: the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category introduced in 2026, which targets doctors who already have recent Canadian work experience, and the Healthcare and Social Services Occupations category, which invites healthcare professionals with eligible work experience through category-based draws.

Another pathway is through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Many provinces nominate physicians to address local healthcare shortages, allowing them to apply for permanent residence after receiving a provincial nomination.

Will Canada open a new permanent residency program for physicians?

Yes. Canada introduced a new Express Entry category for physicians with Canadian work experience, with invitations beginning in 2026. The initiative aims to address doctor shortages and provide a clearer pathway to permanent residence for physicians already practicing in Canada.