Choose Canada for your medical career! 2026 immigration policy for medical professionals.

lynn jin
22 hours ago
5 min read

Updated: 11 hours ago

Overview

Canada faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, and the federal government has opened multiple immigration pathways for medical professionals to apply for permanent residence. Whether you are a doctor working in Canada or a medical graduate from abroad, there are tailored immigration routes available for you.

This comprehensive guide covers all five official immigration pathways: - Express Entry (EE) - Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) - Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) - Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) - Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

Highlights:

Express Entry (EE)

Category 1: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience

Program Code: Physicians with Canadian work experience

Eligible Applicants: - Currently working in Canada's healthcare system as a physician or medical specialist - Hold a valid Canadian medical license - Have at least 1 year of full-time medical work experience in the past 3 years (or equivalent part-time)

- Language Requirements: CLB 7 or higher (IELTS or CELPIP), certificate valid for at least 12 months

- Education Requirements: Canadian medical degree (or foreign degree verified through credential assessment) and valid Canadian medical license

Eligible Medical Occupations (2021 NOC Codes): - 31102 - General practitioners and family physicians - 31101 - Specialists in surgery - 31100 - Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine

Processing Time: 6-8 months

Special Policy: New dedicated physician selection rounds launching in 2026

Category 2: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations

Program Code: Healthcare and social services occupations

Eligible Applicants: - Healthcare and social services professionals - At least 6 months of continuous full-time work experience in the past 3 years (or equivalent part-time) - Work experience can be in Canada or abroad

- Language requirements: CLB 7 or higher (TEER Class 1), CLB 5 or higher (TEER Class 2)

- Meet education requirements

Eligible Occupations (2021 NOC Codes - 37 total positions):

Medical Occupations:

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Major 2026 Policy: All Canadian provinces and territories will reserve 5,000 federal immigration spaces specifically for nominating medical professionals.

Each province and territory has designated medical professional streams with specific requirements:

Basic Requirements (most provinces): - Job offer or support letter from provincial employer - Relevant medical degree - Professional license or license application in progress - Language: CLB 7 or higher

Special Policy: After receiving provincial nomination, healthcare professionals receive 14-day expedited work permit processing

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Applicable To: Doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and other healthcare professionals

Covered Regions: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island

- At least 1 year of work experience in the past 3 years - Job offer from designated Atlantic employer

- CLB5 or above

-Work experience can be accumulated in Canada or abroad

Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)

Work Experience (choose one): - At least 1 year of full-time work experience in medical positions in the past 3 years (work can be in Canada or abroad) Language Requirements: CLB 5 or higher in English or French

Eligible Rural Communities: - British Columbia: West Kootenay region - Quebec: Outaouais region - Prince Edward Island: Entire province - Saskatchewan: Designated rural areas

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

Work Experience (choose one): - At least 1 year of full-time work experience in medical positions in the past 3 years (work can be in Canada or abroad) Language Requirements (strict): - French: CLB 7 or higher (mandatory) - DALF, TCF, TFI, or TEF - English: CLB 5 or higher (optional but beneficial)

Eligible Francophone Communities: - Ontario: Designated French-language regions - Newfoundland and Labrador: Francophone regions - New Brunswick: Acadian regions - Nova Scotia: Clare and Inverness counties - Prince Edward Island: Acadian regions - Manitoba: St. Boniface and designated French-language regions

Step 1: Pre-Application Requirements

Before applying to any immigration program, you must complete two critical steps:

1. Credential Assessment

**For**: Applicants who obtained their medical degree outside Canada
**Authorized Institutions**: Must use IRCC-approved assessment bodies such as WES (World Education Services)
**Purpose**: Verify that your foreign medical degree is equivalent to Canadian medical education standards
**Processing Time**: Typically 4-6 weeks
**Cost**: Approximately $300-500 CAD
**Recommendation**: Apply early to allow sufficient time for subsequent applications

2. Canadian Medical License

**Regulatory Bodies**: Provincial/Territorial Medical Councils
**Requirements**: Most provinces require passing licensing exams (USMLE, MCCEE, etc.)
**Processing Time**: 3-12 months (varies by province and individual circumstances)
**Key Organization**: Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
- Provides comprehensive licensing pathways for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
**Important Note**: Obtaining a license is a long-term process, but many provinces allow you to begin working while your license application is in progress

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will my foreign medical degree be recognized? A: You need credential assessment through IRCC-approved institutions like WES. Most degrees are recognized after proper evaluation.

Q: How long does obtaining a Canadian medical license take? A: Typically 3-12 months, depending on the province.

Q: Can I apply without Canadian work experience? A: Yes. You can apply through PNP, AIP, RCIP, or FCIP without Canadian work experience.

Q: Are there special immigration fees for healthcare professionals? A: Basic fees are the same as other skilled immigrants, though some provinces' PNP programs may have additional fees.

Q: Can my spouse and children immigrate with me? A: Yes. They can be included as dependents in all immigration program applications.

Q: Do I need to obtain a license again after immigrating to Canada? A: Yes. Canadian medical licenses are issued by provincial medical councils and require separate application.

Q: Is French language really necessary? A: No, but it significantly helps with FCIP and certain PNP streams.

Q: Can I apply to multiple immigration programs simultaneously? A: Yes. Many applicants apply to both Express Entry and PNP simultaneously to increase their chances of success.

Immediate Action Checklist

Months 1-2:

- Apply for credential assessment (WES)

- Schedule language test (IELTS or CELPIP)

- Begin English/French language preparation

- Contact Medical Council of Canada for licensing requirements

Months 3-4:

- Receive credential assessment report

- Complete language test

- Collect work experience documentation

- Prepare reference letters

- Research target provinces/territories

Months 5-6:

- Create Express Entry profile (if eligible)

- OR secure employer job offer (if pursuing PNP/AIP/RCIP)

- Initiate medical licensing application

Months 7-12:

- Receive Express Entry invitation or PNP nomination

- Submit permanent residence application

- Complete medical examination

- Prepare for immigration and settlement

Official Resources

IRCC Official Website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html

Disclaimer: This guide is based on information from Canada's official immigration website. Immigration policies may change at any time. Please verify current policies on the IRCC website before applying.

Data Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Medical Council of Canada, Provincial and Territorial Immigration Ministry Websites

Last Updated: January 22, 2026