Reviewed by John Hu, founder of John Hu Migration Consulting and Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0746141).
On 3 September 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 229 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through Express Entry to physicians with Canadian work experience.
Key Details of This Draw
- Draw category: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
- Invitations issued: 229 ITAs
- CRS cut-off: 198 points
- Profile deadline: Express Entry profiles created before 7:40 p.m. UTC on 6 August 2026
- Express Entry draws in 2026 so far: 52
How This Draw Compares with Previous Physician Draws
- 19 February 2026: 391 ITAs; CRS 169
- 24 June 2026: 271 ITAs; CRS 223
- 3 September 2026: 229 ITAs; CRS 198
This was the smallest physician draw of the three in 2026, while its CRS threshold was the second-highest.
The 2026 Express Entry Trend: Existing Canadian Ties Matter
The 2026 draw pattern continues to favour candidates with established Canadian connections, especially through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Number of 2026 Draws by Category
| Category | Draws |
|---|---|
| PNP | 17 |
| CEC | 15 |
| French-language proficiency | 10 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 3 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 2 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 2 |
| Trades | 1 |
| Transport | 1 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 1 |
Total ITAs Issued in 2026 So Far: 117,656
| Category | ITAs |
|---|---|
| CEC | 51,250 |
| French-language proficiency | 50,500 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8,000 |
| PNP | 7,961 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience | 750 |
| Physicians with Canadian Work Experience | 891 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
What This Means for Hong Kong Applicants
Healthcare Professionals
The physician category has limited places, with 891 ITAs across three draws. It also requires genuine Canadian hands-on practice. Canadian work experience is therefore central and is normally built through a work permit or another lawful route.
Skilled Workers More Broadly
CEC and PNP remain important pathways for skilled workers. The supplied 2026 draft notes no standalone Federal Skilled Worker draw so far; building Canadian ties through a work permit, study permit or provincial nomination may strengthen a future strategy, subject to the rules in force at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a CRS cutoff of 198 high or low?
Relative to other 2026 categories (CEC cutoffs generally run 509-523, PNP cutoffs generally 700-800), 198 is a comparatively low threshold for the physician category. However, the pool of candidates who actually meet the "Canadian work experience" prerequisite is inherently limited, so actual competitiveness needs to be assessed against that smaller eligible pool.
- Is Canada's Express Entry system about to undergo major reform?
Yes. According to the Canadian federal government, the Express Entry permanent residence selection system is undergoing a comprehensive review, currently at the consultation stage, expected to be fully implemented within 12 to 18 months — with some CRS scoring adjustments potentially arriving sooner. Anyone planning to immigrate via Express Entry should start preparing key requirements, such as language test scores, early.
For background, see Canada.ca: Medical doctors with experience in Canada and the official Express Entry rounds of invitations. IRCC’s announcement of the 2026 categories is available here.
Important Compliance Note
Immigration outcomes, processing times and any follow-on status depend on the applicant’s background, documents, eligibility and the official requirements in force. This article is for general information only and does not guarantee approval or constitute investment advice.
John Hu Migration Consulting has supported families with immigration planning for 17 years. For an initial discussion, call (852) 3568 1436 or WhatsApp (852) 9178 8523.