Why It Is Best Time For Immigrating To Canada As A Doctor
Last Updated On : February 12 , 2025
The Express Entry System for Doctors has now been opened. For those who are unaware, due to their self-employment, doctors or physicians were formerly excluded from applying for permanent residency through the Express Entry System. However, this restriction is no longer in effect and doctors can now immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry System.
- Broad Occupational category for Healthcare workers:BOC 3
- TEER categories for Healthcare workers:0,1,2,3
- Skill level for Healthcare workersA-Occupations usually require a university education
- Major Groups for Healthcare workers:30,31,32,33
Foreign credential recognition program updates for Healthcare workers:
The honourable minister has shared a few statistics showing how international workers support Canada's healthcare system. The stats show: 23% of nurses and 36% of doctors in Canada came from another country. The Canadian federal government has granted some investment (between $500,000 and $10 million) to overcome labour shortage and strength. The updates made by the federal government are going to focus on the followings:
- Reducing barriers to foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health care professionals.
- Providing internationally educated healthcare professionals with Canadian work experience relevant to their intended fields.
Canada Immigration Steps For Doctors
A step-by-step procedure for obtaining permanent residence status in Canada as a doctor is outlined below.
1. Check Eligibility :
Before applying, you must be sure that you are eligible. You cannot apply for a medical license in Canada unless your medical degree has been accepted by Canadian authorities. Visit the World Directory of Medical Schools to verify this and check it there.
2. Educational Credentials Assessment :
Your educational credentials and degrees must be translated into a format that is recognized and understood in Canada. Authorized organizations carry out this procedure, which is known as Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). An ECA must be completed before submitting a PR visa application.
3. Express Entry Profile :
After gathering all the required documents, you have to create an Express Entry Profile on the official IRCC website, wherein all the information is available, and the online application will also be submitted. Make sure to fill out all the required fields truly and correctly to avoid any delays in your application.
4. Get Your Invitation to Apply (ITA) :
You must be patient while you wait for an ITA after submitting the online application. Please be aware that the IRCC only sends ITAs to candidates who have been shortlisted. If you are one of the fortunate few, you will receive an ITA, after which you can apply for the program indicated on the document.
5. Final Result :
After submitting your application successfully, you must wait for the IRCC to make a final decision on it. Be sure to keep an eye on your mail for any updates, as the IRCC occasionally requests more documentation before making a final decision.
NOC Updates For Healthcare Services In Canada
Healthcare assistants, including nurse aides and orderlies, who were previously classified as unskilled workers under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC), became eligible to apply for PNP, Canada’s federal immigration programs (including CEC, FSWP) and can immigrate to Canada as a doctor.
5 NOC codes have been updated in NOC 2021 Version 1.0 which are as follows
| Updated NOC Code | Occupation |
| 33100 | Dental Assistants And Dental Laboratory Assistants |
| 33101 | Medical Laboratory Assistants And Related Technical Occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse Aides, Orderlies And Patient Service Associates |
| 33103 | Pharmacy Technical Assistants And Pharmacy Assistants |
| 33109 | Other Assisting Occupations In Support Of Health Services |
Canada Immigration for Doctors from India
There are already many Indian doctors in Canada, and according to the new rules, it has become simpler for them to obtain Canadian permanent residency.
Indian doctors must pass a two-part examination in order to receive approval from the Medical Council of Canada and successfully become doctors in Canada.
Jobs For Doctors In Canada
For your better understanding, we have listed a few of the most common positions for doctors in Canada along with their NOC code and salary range for all of them in the table below.
| Job Title | NOC Code | Salary Range |
| Registered Nurse | 301 | 55000-88000 CAD |
| Physicians, dentists, or vets | 311 | 60000-2.5L CAD |
| Optometrists and chiropractors | 312 | 90000-1.7L CAD |
| Pharmacists and nutritionists | 313 | 40000-1.1L CAD |
| Therapists | 314 | 50000-90000 CAD |
| General Practitioner | 3112 | 80000-4.2L CAD |
As a result of the current Physician shortage in the entire Canadian region, there are a lot of work opportunities for doctors in Canada.
Frequently Ask Questions:
According to Canadian immigration regulations, based on the results, the immigration authorities will notify you of your future steps. To settle and practise as a doctor in Canada, you must have a related medical degree, employment experience, passable English language abilities, immigration medical examination results, and a licence (MCC).
You will be assigned points through the Comprehensive Ranking System, a system that assigns points to immigration candidates based on factors such as age and education, in addition to having your educational credentials verified and taking a language test (to demonstrate your ability to speak either French or English).
The Canada Employment Centre must then affirm that no qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available to fill the position. In order to practise in the UK, doctors must be revalidated by the GMC every five years. You can relinquish your licence while remaining on the GMC registration if you do not practise in the UK. This avoids the need to revalidate, and you pay a cheaper fee while remaining in good standing with the GMC.