Overview
- IRCC ran Express Entry Draw No. 397 on February 19, inviting 391 candidates under the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026‑Version 1 category.
- The minimum CRS score was 169, with a tie‑break applied to profiles submitted before January 03, 2026 at 03:25:14 UTC.
- Invitees have 60 days to file complete permanent residence applications, which IRCC targets to process in about six months.
- Eligible occupations include general practitioners and family physicians, surgical specialists, and clinical or laboratory medicine specialists, with at least 12 months of Canadian experience in the past three years required.
- Doctors may use a 14‑day work‑permit processing pathway, including if provincially nominated, while provincial or territorial licensing remains necessary to practise; IRCC also held a separate February 20 draw for healthcare and social services that issued 4,000 ITAs at a 467 CRS cut‑off.