Canada has announced a fast-track immigration pathway aimed at retaining international doctors already working in the country, as it battles acute shortages in its healthcare system. Lena Metlege Diab, immigration minister, announced on Monday that a new Express Entry category will be created for foreign doctors with at least one year of recent Canadian work experience. Express Entry is Canada’s points-based system for selecting skilled workers for permanent residence. Invitations under the new stream will begin in early 2026.The Canadian govt will also reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed physicians with job offers. Doctors selected under these slots will receive expedited, 14-day work-permit processing so they can continue practising while awaiting permanent residency.According to the International Migration Outlook 2025 released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Canada had 3,900 India-trained doctors (the data related to 2021). Anecdotal evidence shows that the number of India origin doctors is much more, pegged at around 8,000 – 10,000. The move is part of Ottawa’s bid to address labour gaps identified in Budget 2025 and to stabilise a health system where nearly one in six adults reported not having a regular healthcare provider last year. Eligible occupations include family physicians, general practitioners and medical and surgical specialists.
