Express Entry draws for physicians with Canadian experience
Latest physicians round
198
Lowest CRS score invited
- Date
- September 3, 2026
- Invitations
- 229
- Round
- #440
3 rounds in 2026 so far.
For comparison, the latest Canadian Experience Class round, open to anyone with a year of skilled work in Canada, cut off at 519.
Who qualifies
At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one of the jobs below within the last 3 years, done in Canada. Work abroad does not count for this group. The months do not have to be in a row.
IRCC checks that the work matched the job's description in the National Occupational Classification: its lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties, including all the essential ones. A job title alone is not enough.
You also need a profile in the Express Entry pool, which means qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class program. The group decides which round you can be invited in; your CRS score decides whether you are.
The 3 jobs on the 2026 list
| Occupation | NOC 2021 | TEER |
|---|---|---|
| Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 | 1 |
| Specialists in surgery | 31101 | 1 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 | 1 |
Codes, titles and TEER levels as IRCC publishes them (NOC 2021).
What this means for you
This group is for doctors already working in Canada, often on a work permit. Experience abroad does not count here.
If you are a doctor outside Canada, look at the healthcare and social services group instead: it lists the same three physician codes and counts experience from anywhere. To practise you will still need a licence from the provincial college of physicians and surgeons.
Every physicians round
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a job offer to be invited in a category round?
No. A category asks for recent work experience in a listed job, not a job offer. You do need a profile in the Express Entry pool, which means qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class program.
- My main job is not on the list. Can I still qualify?
Yes, if you have 12 months in a listed job within the last 3 years. IRCC counts that experience whatever your primary occupation is.
- Can I be in more than one group?
Yes. If your experience fits two groups, or you also have strong French, you can be invited in any round you qualify for. Being in a group never stops you from being invited in a round open to your program.
- What CRS score do I need?
There is no fixed pass mark. Each round invites the highest-scoring people who qualify for it, so the cut-off is only known afterwards. The rounds on this page show where recent cut-offs have fallen.
Last updated October 20, 2026