Canada has introduced a simplified pathway to permanent residency (PR) for foreign-trained medical doctors, including eligible Pakistani physicians, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and tackle persistent doctor shortages. The new measures, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), are designed to make it easier and faster for qualified international doctors to live and work in Canada.
Under the updated immigration policy, eligible physicians can now apply for permanent residence through five different immigration pathways, including the Express Entry system as well as provincial, territorial, and regional nominee programs. The expanded options are intended to attract skilled healthcare professionals and address workforce gaps across Canada’s hospitals and healthcare facilities.
To further accelerate recruitment, IRCC has announced that work permits for doctors nominated by a Canadian province or territory will be processed within 14 days. This allows physicians to begin practicing much sooner while their permanent residency applications are being finalized, helping provinces fill critical healthcare vacancies more quickly.
The new immigration measures are expected to create greater opportunities for qualified Pakistani doctors seeking to advance their careers abroad. Canada continues to experience strong demand for healthcare professionals due to an aging population, increasing healthcare needs, and shortages of medical practitioners in several provinces.
In addition to benefiting individual applicants, the policy also supports family reunification. IRCC confirmed that eligible applicants can include their spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children in their permanent residency applications, making relocation more convenient for families.
Canadian authorities said the initiative aims to build a stronger and more stable healthcare workforce by simplifying immigration procedures for internationally trained doctors while improving access to medical services for Canadians.
Interested Pakistani physicians are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and available immigration pathways through the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website before submitting their applications.
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