Nigerian doctors and other international medical professionals stand to benefit from Canada’s new plan to launch a dedicated express entry pathway for foreign doctors in 2026.
The initiative, announced by Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), aims to address persistent physician shortages while attracting highly skilled talent to support the nation’s health system.
Under the new measures, international doctors who have accumulated at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience within the past three years will qualify for a dedicated express entry category.
The program targets physicians already contributing to patient care in Canada on a temporary basis, providing them with a clear path to permanent residence.
“We’re giving these doctors a clear pathway to permanent residence to fill critical health workforce gaps, while ensuring reliable care and a stable health system for Canadians. Invitations to apply for this new Express Entry category will be issued in early 2026,” the IRCC stated.
In addition, Ottawa will set aside 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with confirmed job offers. These reserved spots are separate from existing Provincial Nominee Program allocations.
Successful nominees will benefit from expedited 14-day work permit processing while their permanent residence applications are under review.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, highlighted the broader goal of the initiative. “Our government is committed to building a strong economy by attracting top global talent and filling critical labour shortages.
This dedicated Express Entry category, along with reserved federal admission spaces for provinces and territories, will help bring in and retain practice-ready doctors, ensuring Canadians have access to the care they need,” she said.
Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, emphasized the program’s impact on healthcare delivery. “Increasing the number of qualified physicians is essential to addressing health workforce shortages nationwide. By working closely with provinces and territories, we are strengthening the healthcare system so Canadians can receive timely, high-quality care,” she said.
The new pathway is expected to provide an attractive opportunity for international doctors seeking long-term careers in Canada, while simultaneously supporting the country’s efforts to stabilize and enhance its healthcare system.
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