Canada has announced a new fast track residency pathway for internationally trained doctors who are already working in the country. The federal government introduced the measure to address the severe shortage of physicians and improve access to healthcare for millions of patients across provinces. Immigration officials confirmed that the new category will create a simpler, quicker and more predictable route to permanent residency for foreign doctors.
The government will launch a dedicated Express Entry category for doctors who have at least 12 months of full time Canadian work experience within the last three years. The pathway applies to clinicians such as family physicians, general practitioners, surgeons and specialists in areas including anesthesiology, neurology and gastroenterology.
Qualified doctors are expected to begin receiving invitations to apply for permanent residency in early 2026. This represents a major change for foreign doctors who often faced long wait times and complex rules before securing stable status in Canada.
In addition to the new Express Entry category, the government has allocated 5,000 extra admission spots that provinces and territories can use to nominate licensed and practice ready physicians. These spots will support regions that are struggling to maintain stable staffing levels in hospitals, clinics and emergency departments.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a 14 day work permit processing system for nominated doctors. This allows them to continue practicing medicine while their permanent residency is being finalized rather than waiting months for paperwork to be approved.
Canada has been facing a growing shortage of family doctors and specialists. More than five million adults report not having regular access to primary care and millions of children also lack routine pediatric support. Provinces with rural and remote communities continue to struggle the most.
The new residency pathway is designed to stabilize the medical workforce by making it easier for foreign trained doctors who already work and contribute to the health system to stay permanently. Many of them faced uncertainty in the past because temporary permits were tied to specific employers or because provincial licensing took years to complete.
The Canadian Medical Association welcomed the announcement and said the measures can strengthen the workforce and ensure better patient access. The association also noted that international medical graduates already play a crucial role in Canada but often face barriers that delay their ability to practise to their full potential.
At a time when the United States is raising H1B visa fees and tightening rules that directly affect international doctors, Canada’s fast track residency pathway arrives as a significant contrast and a practical alternative. Many foreign trained physicians who once viewed the US as their primary destination are now reconsidering because of rising costs, complex immigration hurdles and a healthcare system that is itself struggling with a deepening doctor shortage.
Canada’s new policy offers a far more stable and affordable route, allowing doctors to build long term careers without the financial strain and uncertainty tied to the H1B system. For thousands of international medical graduates who want to practice in North America, the Canadian pathway provides a clearer, faster and more welcoming option during a period when the US model is becoming increasingly inaccessible.
(Rh/ARC)
