CANADA CONDUCTED THE FIRST EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW FOR PHYSICIANS WITH CANADIAN WORK EXPERIENCE
Historic First Express Entry Draw for Physicians in Canada
On February 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made a groundbreaking move to address the nation’s critical healthcare shortage by holding the first-ever Express Entry draw exclusively for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience. Issuing 391 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), this targeted round #397 represents a monumental shift in how Canada recruits and retains medical talent. For international medical graduates and doctors who have managed to secure domestic experience, the barriers to permanent residency have just been drastically lowered, making 2026 the most favorable year in history for medical professionals to immigrate to Canada.
Breakdown of Express Entry Draw #397
This unprecedented draw features some of the most accessible metrics ever seen in the Express Entry system, highlighting the extreme demand for doctors:
Date of Draw: February 19, 2026
Draw Type: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
Number of ITAs Issued: 391
Minimum CRS Score: 169
Historic Low: A cut-off score of 169 is practically unprecedented, meaning virtually every physician in the pool who met the base criteria received an invitation.
Tie-breaking Rule: January 03, 2026, at 03:25:14 UTC.
Pool Snapshot: As of February 15, 2026, the Express Entry pool contained 235,695 registered profiles.
2026 YTD Totals: The Government of Canada has now issued an incredible 30,848 invitations across all Express Entry streams this year.
The Opportunity for Medical Professionals
A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 169 points is a game-changer. In general draws, candidates regularly need scores above 500, which heavily penalizes older professionals or those without perfect bilingualism. By dropping the score to 169 for this specific category, IRCC has essentially eliminated the age and language penalties for doctors.
The strategy for international physicians is now crystal clear: the primary goal is no longer fighting for Express Entry points, but rather navigating the provincial licensing and credential recognition processes to gain that crucial Canadian work experience. Once a doctor is practicing in Canada—whether through a provisional license, a fellowship, or a specific provincial health authority pathway—their transition to permanent residency is now virtually guaranteed through this dedicated Express Entry stream.
Your Medical Degree is Your Ticket to Canada
Canada has officially rolled out the red carpet for doctors. If you are a physician currently working in Canada, or an international medical graduate planning your transition, this new draw category is the ultimate safety net for your permanent residency.
Are you a medical professional looking to validate your credentials and practice in Canada? Navigating the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) requirements and provincial licensing is complex, but the reward has never been higher. At Global Opportunities, we specialize in designing legal migratory strategies for healthcare professionals. Contact our team today to map out your path from credential recognition to this exclusive Express Entry draw!