Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw Only for Doctors
Canada’s First Express Entry Draw Only for Doctors (Feb 19, 2026)
On February 19, 2026, Canada held its first-ever Express Entry draw only for doctors who already have Canadian work experience.
In this draw:
- 391 doctors were invited to apply for permanent residence.
- The CRS cutoff was only 169 points, which is the lowest score ever in Express Entry history.
This new category was announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab just one day before the draw. Therefore, it became one of the fastest category launches in Express Entry history.
First Physicians Draw – Quick Results
Draw Type: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience (2026 – Version 1)
Date: February 19, 2026
CRS Cutoff: 169
Invitations Issued: 391
Rank Required: 391 or above
Tie-Breaking Rule: January 03, 2026 at 03:25:14 UTC
What Is the Tie-Breaking Rule?
The tie-breaking rule was set at January 03, 2026 at 03:25:14 UTC.
This means:
- If many candidates had exactly 169 CRS points, only those who submitted their Express Entry profile before this date and time received an invitation.
- However, those who submitted after that time did not receive an invitation and must wait for the next draw.
In short, when scores are the same, Canada chooses candidates who applied earlier.
Why Is the 169 CRS Score So Historic?
The CRS score of 169 is extremely low compared to normal draws.
For example:
- General Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws usually have scores above 500.
- Healthcare category draws normally range between 420–480 points.
However, this draw went down to 169.
This shows that almost every eligible doctor in the pool received an invitation. Even doctors with lower language scores or fewer education points were invited.
Therefore, this clearly shows that Canada urgently wants to keep doctors who are already working in the country.
Who Was Eligible for This Draw?
To qualify, candidates needed:
1. Canadian Work Experience
- At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equal part-time)
- Experience must be in Canada
- It must be within the last 3 years
- It does not need to be continuous
2. Eligible NOC Codes
The following physician occupations were eligible:
- General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
- Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
This includes family doctors, surgeons, cardiologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, oncologists, and more.
Why This Is Important for Canada’s Healthcare System
Canada currently faces a serious doctor shortage. Many communities do not have enough family doctors or specialists.
Therefore, by giving permanent residence quickly to foreign-trained doctors already working in Canada, the government aims to:
- Keep medical talent in the country
- Prevent doctors from leaving when work permits expire
- Strengthen the healthcare system
Although 391 invitations may seem small, this draw was very specific and only targeted licensed physicians.
How This Draw Is Different From Other Healthcare Draws
This physicians-only draw is very different from regular healthcare draws.
For example:
- It only includes doctors (specific NOC codes), while other healthcare draws include nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and many other jobs.
- It requires Canadian work experience, while other healthcare draws may accept foreign experience.
- Most importantly, the CRS score (169) is much lower than other healthcare draws (usually 430–480).
As a result, this draw was much more focused and selective.
What Invited Doctors Must Do Next
Doctors who received an invitation now have 60 days to submit their complete permanent residence application.
They must provide:
- Valid language test results (IELTS/CELPIP for English or TEF/TCF for French)
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Proof of Canadian work experience
- Police certificates
- Medical exam results
- Proof of funds (if required)
Since the 60-day deadline is strict, candidates should start preparing documents immediately.
When Will the Next Physicians Draw Happen?
IRCC has not officially announced the next draw date yet. However, since this category was just launched, more draws are expected throughout 2026.
Therefore, doctors who were not invited should:
- Make sure their Express Entry profile is complete
- Enter the pool as soon as possible
- Be ready before the next round
Because the CRS cutoff was so low, eligible doctors have a very strong chance in future draws.
What This Means for Other Occupations in 2026
Recently, Canada increased the required work experience from 6 months to 12 months for many occupation categories.
As a result, fewer candidates now meet eligibility requirements. Therefore, IRCC may need to lower CRS cutoffs in other categories too, such as:
- Healthcare
- STEM
- Trades
- Other occupation-based draws
In conclusion, this historic physicians draw could be a sign that CRS scores may drop in other categories in 2026. Candidates should closely monitor upcoming draw trends to identify new opportunities.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding Immigration Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
