Canada has lowered the passing score for doctors in Express Entry

In the third targeted selection, 229 medical professionals with in-country work experience received invitations.

On September 3, 2026, the Express Entry system held its third targeted draw for physicians with Canadian work experience. A total of 229 candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence.

The cut-off score was 198. In the previous draw on June 24, the threshold was 223 with 271 invitations issued. That means the score dropped by 25 points, and the number of invitations decreased by 42.

The physicians category was introduced in 2026, and three draws have taken place under it so far. The first was held on February 19, with the lowest cut-off score to date — 169 points — and the highest number of invitations: 391. Then in June, the score rose to 223 and the number of invitations fell to 271. The latest draw landed somewhere in between in terms of score, but had the fewest invitations of all three rounds.

Despite these fluctuations, the cut-off score in this category remains the lowest across all Express Entry streams. For comparison, on the same days, candidates in the Canadian work experience stream were selected at a score of 521, while provincial nominees required 697. The lower bar reflects both the narrow target group and Canada's severe shortage of healthcare workers.

When multiple candidates share the same score, invitations go to those who submitted their profile earliest. In this draw, the tie-breaking date was August 6, 2026.

Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application package. They will need to provide proof of medical credentials, documentation of Canadian work experience, language test results, and educational assessments.

Use our free CRS score calculator to find out where you stand and assess your chances of receiving an invitation.

Why Canada invites physicians under special conditions

A shortage of healthcare workers remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Canada's healthcare system. Many regions — particularly outside major cities — have struggled for years to fill vacancies for family doctors and specialists. A dedicated category within Express Entry allows physicians who are already practicing in Canada on temporary work permits to fast-track their path to permanent residence.

In addition to this category, Canada regularly holds broader draws for healthcare and social services professionals, covering nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, and other occupations. The requirements are higher, but the scope is much wider.