IRCC invites 391 physicians in new Express Entry draw
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw focused on physicians with Canadian work experience. A total of 391 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, marking the first selection under this occupational category.
The draw, held on February 19, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 169. Candidates were required to have created their Express Entry profiles before 3:25 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026.
- 391 Invitations to Apply issued to physicians with Canadian work experience
- Minimum CRS cut-off score set at 169
- Profiles created before January 3, 2026, were considered
- First draw under the new physician-specific category
- Second-lowest CRS score recorded in Express Entry history
Overview of the February 19 Express Entry draw
The February 19 round of invitations is the ninth Express Entry draw of 2026 and the first focused exclusively on physicians who have gained professional experience in Canada. The new category aims to address workforce needs in the country’s health sector and complements earlier immigration measures announced in late 2025.
IRCC confirmed that this draw’s CRS threshold of 169 is the second-lowest ever recorded, surpassed only by a 2021 draw during the pandemic that had a minimum score of 75. The introduction of this new category allows physicians already working in Canada to transition more easily to permanent residence.
Eligibility and program background
To qualify under the physicians with Canadian work experience category, candidates must meet the criteria of at least one of the three Express Entry–managed programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class. In addition, they must demonstrate at least one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, Canadian work experience within the last three years in eligible medical occupations.
Work experience must have been obtained in Canada and within one of the occupations designated by IRCC under this category. Candidates are also required to satisfy the specific conditions set out in the ministerial instructions for the relevant draw.
Express Entry activity in 2026
In 2026, IRCC has carried out multiple rounds of invitations across several categories. The majority have targeted individuals with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations, reflecting an emphasis on retaining skilled workers already in the country.
As of February 19, a total of 30,848 invitations have been issued this year through the following categories:
- Canadian Experience Class: 20,000 ITAs
- French-Language Proficiency: 8,500 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program: 1,534 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391 ITAs
Recent Express Entry draw summary
In February 2026 alone, five draws have taken place under various categories. These included selections for Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, French-language proficiency, and the new physician stream. The most recent draws reflect a consistent trend of prioritizing applicants with ties to Canada, whether through employment, provincial nomination, or language skills.
Earlier in the month, 8,500 French-speaking candidates were invited with a CRS cut-off of 400, representing one of the largest category-based draws since the system’s introduction. Provincial nominee rounds held in early February invited hundreds of candidates with nominations from provinces such as Manitoba, which continues to operate the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
Policy context and workforce needs
The physician category was introduced in December 2025 as part of a federal strategy to strengthen the healthcare workforce. The initiative is intended to facilitate permanent residency for doctors already contributing to Canada’s medical system, particularly those working in underserved regions.
Provincial and territorial governments have also been expanding their healthcare recruitment initiatives, and the federal physician stream complements these efforts. By aligning immigration selection with labour shortages, IRCC aims to ensure that more foreign-trained doctors can continue practising in Canada on a long-term basis.
Draw trends and future invitations
The introduction of category-based draws in Express Entry has diversified how invitations are distributed. Since the policy’s implementation, Canada has used occupational and language-based categories to manage immigration intake more precisely. While the physician category is new, it fits into IRCC’s broader category-based strategy launched in 2023.
In addition to physicians, other category-based draws have targeted healthcare professionals, trades workers, French speakers, and those with strong Canadian work experience. This approach supports both immediate labour market needs and longer-term population goals.
Summary
The February 19 draw marks a notable milestone in Canada’s immigration landscape, being the first under the new physician category and achieving one of the lowest CRS thresholds in Express Entry history. As immigration continues to play a central role in addressing healthcare and labour shortages, category-based draws are expected to remain a key component of IRCC’s selection process.
Further updates on Express Entry draws and category developments are expected as Canada continues its 2026 immigration plan focused on economic and regional priorities.