₦airaland Forum

The Government of Canada is taking steps to address critical health workforce shortages by creating a streamlined path to permanent residence for international doctors already working in the country, Very Nigerian reports.

According to a statement by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and cited by PUNCH Online on Tuesday, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Diab and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, announced that a new express entry category will be introduced for international doctors who have at least one year of Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years.

“Invitations to apply are expected to be issued in early 2026.

“These measures will help bring in and retain practice-ready doctors so Canadians can access the care they need,

“By attracting top global talent, we are strengthening both the economy and our health care system,” Diab said.

The statement added that the Federal Government will reserve 5,000 admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers.

Nominated doctors will benefit from expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to continue working while their permanent residence applications are processed.

Chi emphasised the importance of attracting skilled health professionals.

“Increasing the number of qualified physicians ensures timely, high-quality care across the country. Working with provinces and territories, we are tackling workforce challenges and strengthening our health care system,” she said.

The President of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Margot Burnell, welcomed the announcement, noting that the new pathway will help close staffing gaps and enrich patient care through diverse perspectives and experiences.

The initiative is part of Canada’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, which aims to fill critical labour gaps, support key industries, and ensure long-term sustainability in the immigration system.
https://verynigerian.com/canada-reserves-5000-pr-slots-as-it-opens-express-entry-stream-for-doreign-doctors/

Canada and their useless, half-baked policies. They need to make up their mind whether they need foreign Doctors or not, which one is "for Doctors already working in the country"? If a foreign Doctor have managed to start working in Canada already, what does he need Express Entry for again, or are they saying they have illegal immigrant Doctors working in Canadian healthcare facilities that need regularization?



Maybe the Canadian government is broke and looking to raise money from application and fees as usual but can't come out open to say it. I think they did same to other healthcare workers some years back, they have come again with another official immigration scam

Slave movement by Canada When will the exploitation stop

franchasng:
Canada and their useless, half-baked policies. They need to make up their mind whether they need foreign Doctors or not, which one is "for Doctors already working in the country"? If a foreign Doctor have managed to start working in Canada already, what does he need Express Entry for again, or are they saying they have illegal immigrant Doctors working in Canadian healthcare facilities that need regularization?



Maybe the Canadian government is broke and looking to raise money from application and fees as usual but can't come out open to say it. I think they did same to other healthcare workers some years back, they have come again with another official immigration scam

The "Canadian work experience" is a nightmare new immigrants are never really aware of. Had they been informed about it, they would have been better prepared.

If the UK allows doctors from other countries to start work immediately, why must foreign doctors need "Canadian work experience" to commence work?

franchasng:
Canada and their useless, half-baked policies. They need to make up their mind whether they need foreign Doctors or not, which one is "for Doctors already working in the country"? If a foreign Doctor have managed to start working in Canada already, what does he need Express Entry for again, or are they saying they have illegal immigrant Doctors working in Canadian healthcare facilities that need regularization?



Maybe the Canadian government is broke and looking to raise money from application and fees as usual but can't come out open to say it. I think they did same to other healthcare workers some years back, they have come again with another official immigration scam

there are doctors from uk and some European countries working in Canada on work permits. But don’t have enough scores to get selected in express entry pool. They are the target

ednut1:
there are doctors from uk and some European countries working in Canada on work permits. But don’t have enough scores to get selected in express entry pool. They are the target

oh okay, now I see.




But does it mean the pathway they used to come into Canada to work as Doctors doesn't qualify them for a Canadian Green card cum citizenship?

franchasng:
oh okay, now I see.




But does it mean the pathway they used to come into Canada to work as Doctors doesn't qualify them for a Canadian Green card cum citizenship?

yes. European passport holders qualify for 2 years work permit. But to get pr they must qualify like everyone else in the express entry pool

ednut1:
yes. European passport holders qualify for 2 years work permit. But to get pr they must qualify like everyone else in the express entry pool

Oh I see