Canada Invites 271 Doctors for PR in New Express Entry Draw With CRS as Low as 223

Canada has once again prioritized healthcare professionals by inviting physicians with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system. The latest selection round reflects Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) continued strategy of retaining skilled workers who are already contributing to the country's healthcare system.

The June 24, 2026 draw is particularly significant because it highlights Canada's ongoing efforts to address physician shortages while maintaining a strong focus on candidates with established ties to the Canadian labour market.

What Has Been Announced?

IRCC issued 271 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence under the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category.

To receive an invitation, candidates needed to meet two requirements:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 223; and
• An Express Entry profile submitted before 6:13 p.m. UTC on May 31, 2026.

This marks the second physician-specific Express Entry draw conducted in 2026. Earlier this year, on February 19, IRCC invited 391 physician candidates with a CRS cut-off score of 169.

Since the beginning of the year, Canada has conducted 33 Express Entry draws and issued a total of 85,067 invitations across multiple immigration categories.

Key Changes Explained

Temporary Residents

Foreign-trained physicians already working in Canada under temporary status stand to benefit significantly from these targeted selections. Doctors employed in hospitals, clinics, and community health facilities now have an additional pathway to transition from temporary residence to permanent status.

Permanent Residence Programs

The physician category remains relatively small compared to other Express Entry streams, but it demonstrates a growing willingness by IRCC to tailor invitations toward occupations facing acute labour shortages.

A combined total of 662 physicians have received invitations through dedicated draws in 2026.

Express Entry Trends in 2026

Canada's Express Entry system has largely favoured candidates already established in the country.

So far in 2026, IRCC has conducted:

• 12 Provincial Nominee Program draws
• 10 Canadian Experience Class draws
• 6 French-language proficiency draws
• 2 physician-specific draws
• 1 Healthcare and Social Services draw
• 1 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience draw
• 1 Trades draw

The largest share of invitations this year has gone to Canadian Experience Class candidates, who have received more than 41,000 ITAs.

French-speaking applicants have also remained a major priority, receiving over 30,000 invitations.

Why This Change Is Happening

Canada continues to experience substantial pressure on its healthcare system. Many provinces are struggling with physician shortages, growing patient wait times, and an aging population requiring more medical services.

Targeted Express Entry selections allow the federal government to retain healthcare professionals who have already adapted to Canada's medical environment and accumulated local work experience.

At the same time, Canada's Immigration Levels Plan increasingly emphasizes reducing reliance on newcomers arriving directly from abroad and instead focuses on transitioning temporary residents into permanent residents.

This strategy supports labour market needs while helping policymakers manage housing demand and public service capacity.

Impact Analysis

Students

International medical graduates studying or completing residency programs in Canada may see improved long-term prospects if they can obtain eligible Canadian work experience.

However, medical students who have not yet entered the workforce are unlikely to benefit immediately from these physician-focused draws.

Work Permit Holders

Physicians currently working under employer-specific permits or provincial health authority arrangements are among the strongest candidates for permanent residence.

A CRS threshold of 223 is comparatively low by Express Entry standards, making this pathway highly attractive for eligible doctors.

Permanent Residence Candidates

Applicants outside healthcare occupations should not interpret these draws as a broader reduction in opportunities.

Canadian Experience Class candidates continue to receive substantial numbers of invitations, although CRS cut-offs remain above 500 in most rounds.

Provincial nominees also maintain strong prospects despite higher CRS requirements.

Winners and Losers

Winners

• Physicians already practising in Canada
• International medical graduates with Canadian clinical experience
• Provincial healthcare systems seeking to retain doctors
• Temporary residents pursuing Canada PR through occupation-based pathways

Those Facing Greater Challenges

• Candidates without Canadian work experience
• Express Entry applicants relying solely on foreign employment history
• Occupations that have not yet been prioritized through category-based selections

Expert Insight

From an immigration strategy perspective, these physician draws send a clear message about IRCC's evolving priorities.

Rather than relying primarily on high CRS scores, Canada is increasingly selecting candidates based on economic contribution and labour market relevance. The physician category illustrates how occupational demand can outweigh traditional ranking factors.

The CRS requirement of 223 demonstrates that candidates possessing in-demand skills and Canadian experience may receive invitations even when their overall scores are significantly below those typically seen in Canadian Experience Class draws.

This trend suggests that future occupation-focused selections could expand to additional sectors experiencing persistent shortages.

Strategic Advice for Applicants

1. Gain Eligible Canadian Experience
   Temporary residents should prioritize obtaining work experience that aligns with Express Entry category requirements.
2. Monitor Category-Based Draws Closely
   Candidates in healthcare, trades, and other targeted occupations should stay informed about changing selection priorities.
3. Improve Language Results
   Strong English or French proficiency can substantially increase CRS scores and provide access to French-language draws.
4. Consider Provincial Nomination Programs
   A provincial nomination remains one of the most effective ways to secure an Invitation to Apply.
5. Maintain an Active Express Entry Profile
   Ensure profiles are updated regularly with new work experience, language test results, and educational credentials.

Canada's latest Express Entry draw for physicians reinforces the country's commitment to retaining healthcare professionals already serving Canadian communities. While competition remains intense in many immigration streams, targeted occupation-based selections are creating valuable opportunities for candidates whose skills align with national priorities.

For physicians working in Canada, the message is encouraging: Canadian experience continues to be one of the most powerful assets in securing permanent residence, and healthcare professionals are likely to remain at the forefront of Canada's immigration strategy in the years ahead.