You can immigrate to Canada as a doctor through two main routes. If you have at least 1 year of full-time Canadian work experience as a medical doctor in the last 3 years, you can enter the Express Entry physician category.
If you do not, you can apply through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where 5,000 federal spaces are set aside for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers. Either way, you also need a provincial medical licence to practise.
Licensing and immigration run side by side, so start both early. This guide covers the 2026 physician draws, MCC licensing steps, fees and the November 3 CRS changes.
Change coming November 3, 2026: Express Entry adds points for high-wage Canadian work experience and for high-wage job offers, and no LMIA is needed for a qualifying offer. Invitation rounds will pause while IRCC recalculates scores, which may take up to two weeks.
All three physician codes (NOC 31100, 31101, 31102) are on the top high-wage tier.
Key Takeaways
- Three physician draws so far in 2026: February 19 (CRS 169), June 24 (CRS 223) and September 3 (CRS 198). None since.
- Licensing got faster: since January 26, 2026 the LMCC needs only an MCCQE pass and a verified degree. No postgraduate training.
- No Canadian experience yet? Your route is a provincial nomination with a job offer, plus a 14-day work permit.
- November 3 changes the CRS. Job offer points return for high-wage jobs, and doctors sit on the top tier.
- The FSW, CEC and FSTP merger is still a proposal. Apply under today’s rules.
How Can Internationally Trained Doctors Immigrate to Canada?
Your route depends on one thing: Canadian work experience. With 1 year of full-time work as a medical doctor in Canada in the last 3 years, you can use the Express Entry physician category. Without it, you use a PNP, a regional program, or both over time. (IRCC, October 2026)
If you have 12 months of Canadian medical work experience (within the last 3 years)
- Physician Express Entry category: draws held February 19, June 24 and September 3, 2026
- Provincial Nominee Program with a job offer: a nomination adds 600 CRS points
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: if you meet its own requirements
If you do not have Canadian medical work experience yet
- Provincial Nominee Program: with a job offer, using the 5,000 federal spaces set aside for doctors
- Atlantic Immigration Program: if you will work in an Atlantic province
- Rural Community Immigration Pilot: for smaller communities that need doctors
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: if you speak French
Many doctors use both tracks in order. A nomination and work permit get you working in Canada, and that Canadian experience then opens the physician category. For provincial detail, see our guide to PNP for skilled workers.
Not sure which pathway fits your situation? Book Your Strategy Consultation with Amir Ismail, RCIC R412319, and get a clear, honest plan.
What Are the Licensing Requirements to Work as a Doctor in Canada?
You need source verification, a pass on the MCCQE, and a provincial licence. Since January 26, 2026 the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) no longer requires 12 months of postgraduate training for the LMCC. A provincial regulatory college still issues the licence you need to practise. (MCC, January 2026)
Step 1: Source verification
Source verification confirms your medical degree with the school that issued it. You start it in your physiciansapply.ca account with the MCC. The MCC sends your documents to ECFMG, part of Intealth, which asks your school to complete a verification certificate.
- Account setup: $150, one time
- Verification request: $232 per medical credential
- School response time: it can take 3 months or longer, depending on the institution
Start this first. It is the step you cannot speed up yourself. (MCC, October 2026)
Step 2: The MCCQE
The MCCQE is Canada’s national medical qualifying exam, and it was renamed from MCCQE Part I on April 1, 2026. The exam, scoring and eligibility rules did not change. It is a one-day computer exam with 230 multiple-choice questions, and the pass score is 439 on a 300 to 600 scale.
- Fee: $1,500
- Attempts: up to 4, with a 1-year wait before the fourth
- Format: in person at Prometric test centres. Remote proctoring is no longer offered.
- Scheduling: opens about 5 months before each session
Session dates published by the MCC:
| Year | Sessions |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Jan 20 to Feb 17 · Apr 22 to May 30 · Aug 19 to Oct 21 (combined session) |
| 2027 | Jan 19 to Feb 11 · Apr 27 to Jun 1 · Aug 10 to Sep 7 · Oct 5 to 26 |
Dates can change, so confirm them on the MCC site before you book. Results come about 4 to 5 weeks after the last day of a session. (MCC, October 2026)
Step 3: The LMCC
Effective January 26, 2026: you need a pass on the MCCQE and successful source verification. That is all. You can earn the LMCC before you arrive in Canada. (MCC, January 2026)
The LMCC is now digital by default. If you applied for the MCCQE after January 26, 2026, it is issued automatically for $0.
If you applied before that date, the administrative fee is $50. A printed certificate or wallet card is optional at $100 each.
Step 4: Provincial or territorial licence
Canada has no federal medical licence. Each province and territory has its own regulatory college, and you cannot practise without that licence even after the LMCC.
| Province | Regulatory Body |
|---|---|
| Ontario | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) |
| British Columbia | College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) |
| Alberta | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) |
| Manitoba | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) |
| Saskatchewan | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) |
| Quebec | Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) |
Each college sets its own steps and fees. Check your target province’s college early, because immigration and licensing run side by side.
Can I Start the Immigration Process Before Getting My Canadian Medical Licence?
Yes, through a Provincial Nominee Program. The physician Express Entry category is different: it needs 1 year of Canadian work as a medical doctor, so you need to be licensed and working first. (IRCC, October 2026)
Provincial Nominee Program: you can start now
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set aside 5,000 federal spaces, on top of regular PNP allocations, for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers (announced December 8, 2025). Each province sets its own rules for how far along your licensing must be, so check the stream you are targeting.
Express Entry physician category: licensing comes first
The category needs at least 1 year of full-time work as a medical doctor in Canada within the last 3 years. That means a provincial licence and a Canadian job before you qualify.
The practical order of steps
- Start source verification in physiciansapply.ca. Research provinces and employers while you wait.
- Book and write the MCCQE while verification is still processing.
- Receive your LMCC once you pass and your degree is verified.
- Secure a job offer from a Canadian health employer.
- Apply for a provincial nomination, then for the 14-day work permit.
- Arrive, finish provincial licensing and start work. Your Canadian experience clock starts.
- After 12 months of Canadian practice, you can enter the physician category pool.
The biggest mistake is waiting for one step to finish before starting the next. Run them side by side wherever you can.
What Is the Physician Express Entry Category?
It is an Express Entry category for medical doctors with Canadian work experience. IRCC has held three physician draws in 2026, with the first on February 19 at a CRS cutoff of 169. That cutoff is the second-lowest in Express Entry history. (IRCC, October 2026)
Physician draws in 2026
| Draw | Date | Invitations | Lowest CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| #397 | February 19, 2026 | 391 | 169 |
| #421 | June 24, 2026 | 271 | 223 |
| #440 | September 3, 2026 | 229 | 198 |
Most other 2026 draws needed far higher scores, as the comparison below shows. Physician cutoffs have stayed low, but they are not zero: the June and September draws needed more points than the first one. Check your score with our CRS score calculator.
Who is eligible for the physician category?
You qualify if you have at least 1 year of full-time Canadian work experience as a medical doctor in the last 3 years, in one of three occupations. You must also meet the requirements of at least one of the FSW, CEC or FSTP programs. (IRCC, October 2026)
- NOC 31102: general practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 31101: specialists in surgery
- NOC 31100: specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- Language results: a valid test, such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF for French
The 12 months can be part-time work that adds up to the same hours, and it does not need to be continuous. Not sure of your code? Use our NOC code finder.
How do physician draws compare with other 2026 draws?
| Draw Type | Lowest CRS Range (2026 to Oct 16) | Draws Held |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 169 to 223 | 3 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 368 | 1 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 382 to 435 | 11 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 389 to 429 | 3 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 467 to 475 | 3 |
| Transport Occupations | 470 | 1 |
| Trades Occupations | 476 to 477 | 2 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 507 to 523 | 18 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 697 to 805 | 20 |
For the full list of 2026 rounds, see our Express Entry draws 2026 page.
When will the next physician draw happen?
IRCC does not publish a schedule for category draws. The first three physician draws came 125 days and then 71 days apart, and the latest was September 3. If you are close to your 12-month mark, create your profile now so you are in the pool.
What happens after you receive an invitation?
- Receive your invitation to apply (ITA).
- Submit a complete PR application within 60 days.
- Gather your documents: passport, language results, employment letters, credential proof, medical exam and police certificates.
- Pay the fees: $1,590 per adult applicant, which includes the $600 right of permanent residence fee.
- Wait for a decision. IRCC’s service standard for Express Entry is 6 months.
- Land as a permanent resident with your declared spouse and dependent children.
Do you have 12 months of Canadian clinical experience? Book Your Strategy Consultation and we will check your profile before you submit it.
How Do the November 3, 2026 CRS Changes Affect Doctors?
They add points for high-wage Canadian work and for high-wage job offers, and doctors are on the top tier. From November 3, 2026, a new Labour Market Integration factor is worth up to 150 CRS points. NOC 31100, 31101 and 31102 are all in the group paid at least twice the average median wage. (IRCC, October 16, 2026)
What exactly changes?
- Canadian work experience: work-length points plus 70 points for 12 months in a top-tier high-wage job
- Job offer points: 100 points for a qualifying offer in a top-tier high-wage job. These points were removed in March 2025 and now return.
- One or the other: you receive points for work experience or a job offer, not both. IRCC gives you the higher score.
- No LMIA needed: a qualifying job offer no longer needs a labour market impact assessment. An officer still checks that the offer is genuine.
Before November 3: IRCC says candidates who want job offer points must update their profile first. Scores are recalculated automatically, which may take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds pause during that time.
What does this mean for a doctor in the pool?
IRCC will recalculate your score automatically, and Canadian work in a top-tier high-wage job earns extra points. Physician draws are ranked on CRS like other rounds. IRCC has not said how the new points will change physician cutoffs, so do not guess.
Use our CRS calculator and book a review if your profile is close to an invitation. Our guide to the 2026 high-wage CRS points explains the tiers.
What Is the 14-Day Work Permit for Doctors?
Medical doctors nominated by a province or territory get a work permit processed in 14 days. That lets you work while your permanent residence application is processed. (IRCC, October 2026)
Who qualifies?
You qualify if you have:
- A nomination from a province or territory as a medical doctor
- A nomination support letter from the province or territory
- A full-time, non-seasonal job offer in NOC 31100, 31101 or 31102
- A complete work permit application
You do not qualify yet if:
- You have no provincial or territorial nomination
- You are applying only under Express Entry without a nomination
What does the work permit cost?
The work permit fee is $155 for an employer-specific permit. The employer pays a separate $230 employer compliance fee through the IRCC Employer Portal. The extra $100 fee applies only to open work permits. (IRCC, October 2026)
What Is the Difference Between Express Entry and PNP for Doctors?
Express Entry needs Canadian experience but no job offer. A PNP needs a job offer but not Canadian experience. IRCC shows about 7 months for PNP applications through Express Entry and about 13 months for base PNP applications. (IRCC, October 2026)
| Factor | Physician Express Entry | Provincial Nominee Program |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian work experience | 1 year in the last 3 years | Not required |
| Job offer | Not required | Job offer |
| Processing time | Service standard of 6 months | About 7 months (Express Entry) or about 13 months (base) |
| 14-day work permit | No | Yes, once nominated |
| CRS needed | Draw cutoffs of 169 to 223 so far | Nomination adds 600 points |
| Where you can live | Anywhere in Canada | Commit to the nominating province |
Can you use both?
Yes, and many doctors do. A nomination gets you a work permit and a start date, and your experience can later support an Express Entry profile.
- Secure a job offer and nomination. Apply for the 14-day work permit and start work.
- Create an Express Entry profile if you want that route. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points.
- Submit your PR application after your invitation and wait for a decision.
Learn how the system works in our guide to how Express Entry works.
Is There Demand for Internationally Trained Doctors in Canada?
Yes. About 5.9 million adults in Canada still lack a regular doctor or primary care team. IRCC also notes that more than 11,700 health care workers were admitted through economic programs in 2024. (OurCare and CMA, December 2025; IRCC committee briefing, November 2025)
The numbers
- 5.9 million adults without a regular family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team (OurCare survey, December 2025)
- 32% of family medicine physicians were trained internationally in 2024 (CIHI)
- Ontario: more than 2.5 million people without a family doctor (OMA, December 2025)
- British Columbia: about 1.2 million people without a family doctor (CBC, September 2026)
- Nova Scotia: 49,338 people on the Need a Family Practice Registry as of October 1, 2026 (Nova Scotia Health)
What do physicians earn?
The average gross clinical payment per physician in Canada was $383,000 in 2023 to 2024. It ranged from $318,000 in Nova Scotia to $429,000 in Alberta. These are gross payments before practice overhead, so they are not take-home pay. (CIHI, October 2025)
How Long Does It Take to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor?
Your timeline depends on your starting point, and licensing is usually the longest part. Doctors with Canadian experience move through Express Entry, where IRCC’s service standard is 6 months. Doctors without it must first complete licensing steps, find a job and receive a nomination. (IRCC and MCC, October 2026)
What we can say with confidence
- Source verification: your school’s response can take 3 months or longer
- MCCQE results: about 4 to 5 weeks after the last day of your session
- Provincial nomination to work permit: 14 days once you have a nomination
- PR processing: 6 months standard for Express Entry, about 7 months for PNP through Express Entry, about 13 months for base PNP
Job search time and provincial licensing time vary too much to give one number. We map them for your case in a consultation.
What slows applications down
- Slow school responses during source verification
- Missing or unsigned documents in your PR or nomination file
- Waiting for exam seats: book early, since scheduling opens 5 months ahead
How Much Does It Cost to Immigrate to Canada as a Doctor?
The fixed MCC and IRCC fees come to about $3,472 for a single applicant and about $5,332 for a family of three. That counts the MCC account, one verified credential, the MCCQE and IRCC’s permanent residence fees. It leaves out language tests, medical exams, translations and provincial licensing fees, which vary. (MCC and IRCC, October 2026)
Licensing costs (MCC)
| Item | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| physiciansapply.ca account setup | $150, one time |
| Source verification request | $232 per credential |
| MCCQE application | $1,500 |
| LMCC | $0 if you applied after Jan 26, 2026, or $50 if before |
| Printed LMCC certificate or wallet card (optional) | $100 each |
Immigration fees (IRCC)
| Fee Type | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant (processing $990 + right of permanent residence $600) | $1,590 |
| Spouse or partner (processing $990 + right of permanent residence $600) | $1,590 |
| Dependent child | $270 per child |
| Biometrics | $85 per person, maximum $170 per family |
| Work permit (employer-specific) | $155 |
What do those fees add up to?
| Scenario | MCC + IRCC PR fees (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Single applicant, one verified credential | $3,472 |
| Applicant, spouse and one child | $5,332 |
The totals add the MCC fees ($150 + $232 + $1,500 = $1,882) to IRCC’s PR fees. A second credential adds another $232. The work permit fee is not included.
Can My Family Immigrate With Me?
Yes. You can include your family members in your permanent residence application. That means your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children. (IRCC, October 2026)
Who you can include
- Spouse or common-law partner: including a partner you have lived with in a conjugal relationship for 12 months or more
- Dependent children: children under 22 who are not married or in a common-law relationship
- Older dependent children: aged 22 or over and financially dependent because of a physical or mental condition
Declare every family member in your application, even if they will not travel with you right away. A family member you leave off can create serious problems if you later try to sponsor them.
What Does the Proposed Express Entry Restructure Mean for Doctors?
For now, nothing changes for you. IRCC is looking at merging the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades programs, but no new rules are in force. It published its final consultation report on October 15, 2026. (IRCC, October 2026)
Proposal, not law: IRCC says any change needs amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. It will announce when changes take effect and how they affect profiles in the pool.
What this means for doctors right now
- The physician category is open under the current system
- Your pool profile stays eligible for physician draws
- The November 3 points change is real, separate from the merger proposal, and takes effect on a date IRCC has set
Apply under the current rules. For background, read our analysis of the proposed Federal High-Skilled Class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer to immigrate to Canada as a doctor?
No, not for the Express Entry physician category. That category needs 1 year of Canadian work as a medical doctor instead. A Provincial Nominee Program route needs a job offer, and IRCC set aside 5,000 federal spaces for provinces to nominate licensed doctors with job offers.
What is the LMCC reform and why does it matter?
Since January 26, 2026 the Medical Council of Canada no longer requires 12 months of postgraduate training for the LMCC. You now need a pass on the MCCQE and successful source verification of your medical degree. This means you can hold the LMCC before you arrive in Canada.
What is the MCCQE and what changed in 2026?
The MCCQE is Canada’s national medical qualifying exam, and it was renamed from MCCQE Part I on April 1, 2026. The exam is the same: 230 multiple-choice questions, a pass score of 439 on a 300 to 600 scale and a maximum of 4 attempts. It is now offered in person only at Prometric test centres.
What was the CRS score for the physician Express Entry draws?
The lowest scores invited were 169 on February 19, 223 on June 24 and 198 on September 3, 2026. IRCC invited 391, 271 and 229 candidates in those draws. The February cutoff is the second-lowest in Express Entry history.
How do the November 3, 2026 changes affect doctors?
From November 3, Express Entry adds a Labour Market Integration factor worth up to 150 points, and job offer points return for high-wage jobs. All three physician NOCs are on the top high-wage tier, and no LMIA is needed for a qualifying offer. IRCC will pause invitation rounds while it recalculates scores, which may take up to two weeks.
Can I practise medicine in Canada while my permanent residence application is processing?
Yes, if you hold a valid work permit and a licence from the provincial college. A nominated medical doctor gets a work permit processed in 14 days. You still need provincial licensing before you practise.
Can I apply for permanent residence from outside Canada as a doctor?
Yes, through a Provincial Nominee Program if you have a job offer. The Express Entry physician category needs Canadian work experience, so it is not open to you until you have worked in Canada. A nomination can get you a work permit so you can start.
What if I am a specialist rather than a family physician?
All three physician occupations qualify for the physician category: NOC 31102 for family physicians, NOC 31101 for surgical specialists and NOC 31100 for clinical and laboratory specialists. Licensing steps differ by specialty and province, so check with your target college. Confirm your NOC code before you enter the pool.
How long is Canadian permanent residence valid?
Permanent resident status does not expire, but your PR card must be renewed every 5 years. To keep your status you must be in Canada for at least 730 days in every 5-year period. You can apply for citizenship after 1,095 days in Canada in the last 5 years.
Your Next Steps
For doctors with Canadian work experience (12 months in the last 3 years)
You can enter the physician category now. Create your Express Entry profile, confirm your NOC code and gather your work letters.
Update your profile before November 3 if you want job offer points. Start with our Express Entry service page.
For doctors without Canadian work experience
Your route runs through a provincial nomination. Start source verification with the MCC first, then research provinces and employers while it processes. Our companion guide covers the case of immigrating without a job offer or Canadian licence.
Official sources
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Express Entry rounds, points changes, fee list and medical doctor pages (checked October 20, 2026)
- Medical Council of Canada (MCC): fees, MCCQE scheduling, LMCC and source verification pages (October 2026)
- Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI): physician payments and supply, 2024
- OurCare and Canadian Medical Association (December 2025), Ontario Medical Association (December 2025), CBC (September 2026), Nova Scotia Health (October 2026)
Want a plan built for your situation, not generic advice? Book Your Strategy Consultation with Amir Ismail, RCIC R412319, and learn which route fits you, what to do first and what to avoid.
Amir Ismail is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC R412319) who has been associated with the immigration consulting industry since 1991.
