Canada Immigration for Medical Doctors

Updated 08/10/2026 — IRCC source.

Canadian Immigration for Medical Doctors

Internationally trained physicians may consider Express Entry or appropriate regional and provincial programs. This page summarizes the pathways; it is not a standalone PR program with a single set of criteria.

Licensing requirements

To work as a physician in Canada, it is necessary to have foreign credentials assessed and to obtain licensure from the provincial/territorial regulatory authority. Being eligible for immigration does not automatically mean being licensed to practice.

With Canadian medical experience

IRCC has an Express Entry selection category for physicians with at least 1 year of full-time Canadian experience within the last 3 years. Applicants must still meet the criteria for an Express Entry program, create a profile, and receive an invitation before applying for PR.

PNPs may be suitable if you have a job offer or a letter of support to work as a doctor. IRCC reserves up to 5,000 federal spots for provinces/territories to nominate doctors with job offers or letters of support. Nominated doctors may qualify for a 14-day expedited work permit process; this is not PR processing time.

Without Canadian medical experience

• Express Entry: check program eligibility based on education, language proficiency, and experience.
• PNP: find a stream matching your intended province and your job offer/letter of support.
• AIP: consider job offers from designated employers in the Atlantic provinces and their respective conditions.
• RCIP or FCIP: consider designated job offers, community recommendations, and program criteria; FCIP requires French proficiency.

Preparation steps

1. Identify the province and the progress of credential assessment and licensing.
2. Evaluate experience, language proficiency, qualifications, and residency status.
3. Verify job offers or letters of support and select a pathway.
4. Prepare nomination/Express Entry profiles and PR applications according to the chosen stream.

When contacting us, please provide your CV, medical degree, specialization, medical license, experience inside and outside Canada, language test results, and any job offer/letter of support if available.

Register for a profile assessment

The "Register for a profile assessment" variant is a contact request; service fees are quoted separately based on the scope of work. KeyApply provides coordination and documentation support; immigration consulting and representation are provided by an RCIC or a licensed lawyer. You may call, email, or message us via KeyApply.com.

Explore pathways

Express Entry · RCIP · FCIP

Official sources

IRCC — Physicians · With Canadian experience · Without Canadian experience

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