Physician (General Practitioner) Immigration to Canada
Complete pathway guide for physician (general practitioner)s moving to Canada. Explore Express Entry, provincial programs, requirements, and job prospects.
NOC Code
31102
TEER Category
TEER 1
Median Salary
Varies by province and practice setting
Physician (General Practitioner) Pathway to Canada
Canada continues to recruit internationally trained physicians into permanent residence. If you are researching doctors PR Canada or the latest Express Entry physicians draw, two facts matter most: licensing to practise medicine is separate from Express Entry eligibility for permanent residence, and IRCC now runs a dedicated category - Physicians with Canadian work experience - that is not the same as the broader Healthcare and social services category.
Physicians with Canadian work experience - Draw #440 (September 3, 2026): 229 ITAs at CRS 198, with a tie-breaking rule of profile created before August 6, 2026, 19:40:38 UTC. That cut-off applied to this physicians category round only; it does not predict the next draw or apply to CEC, PNP, French, or Healthcare and social services rounds.
Do not confuse that with IRCC Draw #441, the Healthcare and social services round on September 4, 2026 (3,500 ITAs, CRS 475). That broader category covers many health and social-service occupations, including physician NOCs among others, and its cut-off is far higher than the dedicated physicians-with-Canadian-experience round.
Eligible physician NOCs in the dedicated category (all TEER 1): Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100), Specialists in surgery (31101), and General practitioners and family physicians (31102). You generally need at least 12 months of full-time (or equal part-time) physician work experience in Canada within the past 3 years in one of those NOCs, plus Express Entry program eligibility. See also the Healthcare Express Entry hub and category-based draws overview.
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Eligible Programs for Physician (General Practitioner)s
Multiple pathways available depending on your qualifications and circumstances.
Express Entry - Physicians with Canadian work experience
Dedicated category for NOCs 31100, 31101, and 31102 with qualifying Canadian physician experience (12 months in one eligible NOC within the past 3 years). Recent example: Draw #440 on Sep 3, 2026 (229 ITAs, CRS 198).
Express Entry - Healthcare and social services
Broader category that can include physician NOCs with 12 months of eligible experience in Canada or abroad. Recent example: Draw #441 on Sep 4, 2026 (3,500 ITAs, CRS 475). Rules and cut-offs differ from the physicians category.
Provincial Nominee Program
Provinces and territories run physician-oriented streams or skilled streams with healthcare priorities. Nomination often requires a job offer or letter of support and can add 600 CRS points if Express Entry–aligned.
Rural and community pathways
Rural and community recruitment programs, alongside provincial pathways, may help physicians who secure practice opportunities outside major centres. Confirm current program names and criteria before applying.
What You Need to Qualify
Key requirements for physician (general practitioner) immigration to Canada.
Education
Medical degree and credentials as required for Express Entry (ECA for foreign education where applicable) and, separately, for provincial/territorial medical licensure.
Experience
For the Physicians with Canadian work experience category: at least 12 months full-time (or equal part-time) in Canada within the past 3 years in one of NOCs 31100, 31101, or 31102 (need not be continuous). Healthcare and social services category experience may be Canadian or abroad under IRCC rules.
Language
Meet Express Entry program language minimums (typically CLB 7 for FSW / TEER 1 CEC). Higher scores improve CRS. Medical regulators may set separate language requirements for licensure.
Licensing
Provincial or territorial medical licence is required to practise and is separate from Express Entry/PR. Steps, exams, and timelines are regulator-specific - confirm with the relevant medical regulator rather than relying on generic timelines.
Express Entry for Physician (General Practitioner)s
Two categories matter for doctors: Physicians with Canadian work experience (e.g. Draw #440, Sep 3, 2026: 229 ITAs, CRS 198) vs Healthcare and social services (e.g. Draw #441, Sep 4, 2026: 3,500 ITAs, CRS 475). Cut-offs change every round. GPs/family physicians are NOC 31102 TEER 1; specialists 31100/31101 are also TEER 1.
Category-Based Draws
Physician (General Practitioner)s are eligible for category-based Express Entry draws, which typically have lower CRS cut-offs than general draws. This significantly improves your chances of receiving an ITA.
Typical CRS Range
198 (physicians Draw #440) / 475 (healthcare Draw #441)
Processing Time
6 months
Top Provinces Hiring
Job Market & Settlement
What to expect when you arrive in Canada as a physician (general practitioner).
Time to Employment
Varies widely
Average time to secure first job in Canada
Top Cities for Physician (General Practitioner)s:
Job Search Tips
Keep licensing and Express Entry on separate tracks: secure the authorization/licence pathway you need to work clinically, then accumulate qualifying Canadian physician experience if you aim for the physicians category. Consider provincial recruitment and underserved communities. Confirm how fee-for-service or publicly funded work should be declared in your Express Entry profile - get file-specific RCIC advice.
Top Employer Types
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about physician (general practitioner) immigration to Canada
What is the latest CRS score for healthcare?
Which doctor is in high demand in Canada?
Can doctors get PR in Canada?
Which NOC codes count as physicians for Express Entry?
How long to get PR after medical?
Ready to Immigrate as a Physician (General Practitioner)?
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.