Canada’s immigration department has issued 229 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to physicians who have Canadian work experience. The draw, held on September 3 2026, set a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut‑off score of 198. To be eligible, candidates had to create an Express Entry profile before 7:40 p.m. UTC on August 6 2026.
Key eligibility points for the physicians’ draw
- Minimum CRS score: 198
- Must have Canadian work experience as a physician
- Express Entry profile needed before 7:40 p.m. UTC, 6 August 2026
Recent Express Entry draw landscape (2026)
| Date | Draw type | CRS cut‑off | ITAs issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 2026 | Physicians with Canadian work experience | 198 | 229 |
| 1 Sep 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 521 | 2,000 |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 697 | 562 |
| 19 Aug 2026 | French‑Language proficiency | 382 | 5,000 |
| 18 Aug 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 523 | 1,000 |
| … | … | … | … |
The draw on 3 September 2026 marks the lowest number of invitations ever issued for physicians with Canadian work experience, while the CRS cut‑off of 198 is the second‑highest across all physician draws to date.
2026 Express Entry draw totals by category
- Canadian Experience Class: 51,250 ITAs
- French‑Language proficiency: 50,500 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 7,961 ITAs
- Healthcare and social services: 8,000 ITAs
- Trades: 3,000 ITAs
- Transport: 300 ITAs
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: 891 ITAs (including the latest 229)
- Senior Managers with Canadian work experience: 750 ITAs
- Skilled Military Recruits: 4 ITAs
Overall, IRCC has conducted 52 Express Entry draws in 2026, with a strong emphasis on candidates who already have ties to Canada—particularly provincial nominees and those with Canadian work experience.
Practical considerations for prospective applicants
- CRS competitiveness: A score of 198 is relatively high for the physician category; candidates below this threshold are unlikely to receive an ITA in the current draw cycle.
- Timing: Profiles must be submitted well before the deadline (UTC 7:40 p.m., 6 Aug 2026) to be considered.
- Work experience verification: Applicants need documented proof of Canadian employment as a physician, which will be scrutinized during the ITA processing stage.
- Future draws: Given the low invitation count for physicians, candidates should monitor upcoming draws and consider improving their CRS score (e.g., through additional work experience, language testing, or provincial nomination) to enhance their chances.
For a detailed overview of the Express Entry system, see the official Express Entry page.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
