On February 19, 2026, IRCC issued 391 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence for the first time under the new “Physicians with Canadian work experience” category, with a CRS cut-off of 169.  This threshold is exceptionally low for Express Entry and stands out as a signal that Canada is prioritizing Doctors who already have Canadian work experience and can contribute immediately and long term to patient care. 

This draw is part of Express Entry’s category-based selection model. Instead of inviting candidates purely based on ranking across the entire pool (as in general draws), category-based draws focus on specific priorities set by the government, such as occupation and recent Canadian work experience.  In the physician category, eligibility is tied to having at least 12 months of Canadian work experience in the last three years in an eligible physician occupation, along with meeting the instructions for the round. 

If you have received an ITA, or you are a Doctor with Canadian work experience and you are waiting for a physician category-based draw, or you want to understand how to strengthen your Express Entry profile so it is ready when invitations are issued, Forghani Law can help:

Complete our Free Assessment

Or Request a Consultation to discuss your options

See IRCC’s Ministerial Instructions for this Draw