Canada Introduces 14-Day Fast-Track Work Permits for Foreign Doctors

Canada has introduced a fast-track immigration program to address its growing shortage of doctors and healthcare workers. Under this new plan, qualified foreign doctors can receive a work permit in as little as 14 days, allowing them to start working quickly in Canadian hospitals and clinics. This initiative aims to ease the pressure on Canada’s overstretched healthcare system and ensure patients get the care they need.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the program alongside Parliamentary Secretary to the Health Minister Maggie Chi, emphasizing that the government wants to fill urgent gaps in the healthcare workforce. Many regions, especially rural and smaller communities, have struggled to attract and retain doctors, leading to long wait times and overworked staff.

How the Fast-Track System Works

Foreign doctors who want to take part in this program must first:

• Secure a job offer from a Canadian hospital or clinic.
• Obtain a nomination from a Canadian province or territory through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Once these steps are completed, the work permit application can be processed in just two weeks. The fast-track permit allows doctors to begin or continue working immediately while their application for permanent residency is under review.

Extra Support for Permanent Residency

To encourage doctors to stay long-term, the government has set aside 5,000 extra permanent residency spots specifically for licensed physicians under the Provincial Nominee Program. This will help provinces nominate more doctors to meet local healthcare needs, giving more international physicians the opportunity to settle permanently in Canada.

New Express Entry Category for Doctors

Canada is also planning to launch a special Express Entry category for doctors in early 2026. This pathway will be available to physicians who have at least one year of recent work experience in Canada. The goal is to help doctors already serving in Canadian hospitals move faster toward permanent residency, making it easier for them to continue contributing to the healthcare system.

Why This Matters

The shortage of healthcare professionals has been a serious challenge in Canada for years. Many patients lack access to family doctors and specialists, and hospitals often operate with limited staff. By fast-tracking work permits and permanent residency for qualified foreign doctors, the government hopes to reduce wait times, strengthen healthcare services, and ensure communities across the country have the medical care they need.

The program is also designed to retain doctors already working in Canada, ensuring they don’t leave for other countries with faster immigration processes. Overall, this initiative marks an important step toward addressing the ongoing healthcare crisis and supporting Canada’s growing population.

READ MORE: New Zealand Launches Fast-Track Golden Visa