Pathway to Permanent Residence for Doctors in Canada
The government of Canada is removing a barrier that will make it easier for doctors in Canada to get permanent residency via Express Entry.
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Easier access to PR for doctors in Canada
On September 23, 2022, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, announced that IRCC is exempting doctors, who work in a fee-for-service model with public health authorities, from current Express Entry requirements.
Previously, the system was not available to doctors because it isn’t open to people who are self-employed. Because many doctors work using a fee-for-service model, they were precluded from being able to apply through Canada’s flagship programs for skilled workers administered under the Express Entry system.
According to IRCC, this change recognizes the unique employment model used in Canada’s health care system. Moreover, it will provide physicians with access to Canada’s economic permanent residence programs. “This will mean that a greater number of those physicians already here and filling crucial vacancies in our health care sector can remain here permanently,” said IRCC.
“Physicians resettling here in Nova Scotia or in other parts across the country is a win-win situation. The measures announced today signal to these physicians that we want them to stay, by making it easier for them to choose Canada as their permanent home.”
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Quick facts
– So far this year, IRCC has accepted over 8,600 temporary and permanent resident applications from foreign nationals intending to work in the health sector.
– As of June 2022, approximately 4,300 permanent residents were admitted under the health care streams of the time-limited Temporary Residence to Permanent Residence Pathway.
– Also, the Government of Canada is seeking to better respond to a range of evolving economic needs and priorities, including through legislative changes introduced in Bill C-19.
New Improvements to the Immigration System
This month, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration visited an IRCC application processing centre in Nova Scotia. During his visit, the Minister announced new online services that will improve the client experience and reduce the backlogs. The measures, among other things, will help with:
- Reducing wait times
- Expanding online applications for permanent residence
- Expanding the application status tracker
- Providing better information to clients
- Modernizing the citizenship program
You can read more about this, here. We also strongly recommend reading the following articles:
- The permanent residence programs that are transitioning to 100% online applications
- Canada to conduct targeted Express Entry draws in 2023
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