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Canada has held its first Express Entry draw under the new Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category.
In this round, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 271 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to eligible physicians with recent Canadian work experience.
The new category aims to help Canada retain doctors already working in the country and support long-term healthcare workforce needs.
Draw Highlights
| Program/category | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience (2026-Version 1) |
|---|---|
| Invitations issued | 271 |
| Minimum CRS score | 223 |
| Draw date | June 24, 2026 |
| Invitation period | June 24, 2026 to June 25, 2026 |
| Rank required | Top 271 eligible candidates |
| Tie-breaking rule | May 31, 2026 at 18:13:49 UTC |
Who was invited in this draw?
This draw targeted physicians who already have Canadian work experience and are in the Express Entry pool.
To qualify for this category, candidates must have obtained at least one year of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience, in Canada during the previous three years.
Eligible occupations include:
- NOC 31100: Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- NOC 31101: Specialists in surgery
- NOC 31102: General practitioners and family physicians
Candidates must also have performed the duties and responsibilities described under their occupation's National Occupational Classification (NOC).
The category excludes candidates who are members of the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
What this draw means for candidates
This draw marks a major change in Canada's Express Entry system.
Key takeaways include:
- Canada is creating more targeted pathways for healthcare professionals.
- Physicians with Canadian experience now have a dedicated invitation category.
- Doctors working in Canada may receive invitations without competing against the entire Express Entry pool.
- Healthcare remains a priority sector for immigration selection.
- More occupation-focused Express Entry draws may continue throughout 2026.
- Candidates should ensure their Express Entry profiles remain accurate and up to date.
Physicians who meet the work experience requirements but are not yet in the Express Entry pool may want to create a profile as soon as possible.
For more information about Express Entry pathways, visit the Express Entry Overview.
2026 Express Entry Draw Results: Complete ITA Tracker
IRCC has introduced a new physician-specific category under Express Entry to support healthcare workforce retention.
A complete 2026 draw tracker can be added once the full 2026 Express Entry draw table is available.
All Express Entry Draws in 2026
The table below will be updated when complete 2026 draw data is available.
| Date | Round type | ITAs | Min CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 24, 2026 | Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 271 | 223 |
2026 Express Entry Draws by Program Category
This breakdown groups invitation rounds by stream.
| Round type | Rounds | ITAs so far | CRS range (min-max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 1 | 271 | 271 or above |
IRCC 2026 Targets and Express Entry ITAs Issued to Date
The table below compares available Express Entry ITAs with IRCC's 2026 admissions targets.
| Bucket | IRCC 2026 target (admissions) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal High Skilled (Express Entry) | 109,000 | Includes General, CEC, FSWP, FSTP, French and other federal categories |
| PNP | 91,500 | Admissions target |
| French-speaking outside Quebec | 9% (30,267) | Target is across programs and not a direct match to ITAs |
Important: ITAs and admissions are not equivalent. Multiple ITAs may be issued to reach each admissions target, and not all ITA recipients become permanent residents.
If you received an ITA: what to do next
After receiving an invitation, candidates should begin preparing their permanent residence application.
Recommended steps:
- Review all information in your Express Entry profile.
- Gather work experience documents.
- Obtain police certificates if required.
- Prepare proof of status and identity documents.
- Complete medical examinations when requested.
- Submit a complete application before the deadline.
If you need help understanding any Canada immigration process, you can use the free AI chat.
If you did not receive an ITA: next steps
Candidates who were not invited can still improve their immigration options.
Consider:
- Updating your Express Entry profile regularly.
- Adding new work experience when eligible.
- Improving language test scores.
- Exploring Provincial Nominee Program opportunities through the PNP Finder.
- Reviewing eligibility under other Express Entry streams.
- Monitoring future healthcare-focused draws.
You can also learn more about provincial pathways through the PNP Overview.
Canada continues to prioritize healthcare workers, and physicians may see additional opportunities through Express Entry and provincial programs.
Find eligible provincial pathways instantly with the free PNP Finder.
Ask any Canada immigration question using the free AI Chat.
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