Canada’s New Immigration Pathway for UK Doctors: What the December 2025 Announcement Really Means

In December 2025, the Canadian government confirmed a series of immigration changes that materially alter how international doctors, including UK-trained physicians, can move to Canada, begin practising, and secure permanent residency.

While the announcement has often been described as a “new route” for doctors, its real importance lies in how it connects work permits, provincial nomination, and permanent residence into a clearer and more predictable sequence. For UK doctors considering Canada, this represents the most favourable policy environment in many years, provided the process is approached correctly.

This article explains what was announced, how it works in practice, and what UK doctors need to understand before making decisions.

Why Canada Changed the Rules

Canada’s healthcare system continues to face sustained pressure. Physician shortages exist across the country, but they are most acute in family medicine, emergency care, psychiatry, internal medicine, and in smaller cities and rural communities. Provinces have repeatedly raised concerns that immigration policy was not aligned with workforce realities, particularly for doctors who were already licensed or working in Canada but unable to secure permanent status.

The December 2025 changes are intended to address that gap. Rather than creating a single new visa, Canada has adjusted its immigration framework so that doctors who are working, licensed, and genuinely needed can remain permanently.

What Was Announced in December 2025

The announcement consists of three connected measures.

First, Canada will introduce a dedicated Express Entry category for doctors, scheduled to begin in early 2026. This category will apply to physicians who have accumulated at least one year of Canadian work experience as a doctor within the previous three years. Invitations to apply for permanent residence under this category will be issued only to doctors, rather than to the broader skilled worker pool.

Second, the federal government will reserve 5,000 additional permanent residence admission spaces specifically for provinces and territories to nominate doctors. These spaces are separate from standard Provincial Nominee Program allocations, giving provinces greater capacity to secure permanent residence for physicians they have recruited.

Third, doctors who receive a provincial or territorial nomination will benefit from expedited work permit processing, with a stated target of approximately 14 days. This allows nominated doctors to enter Canada, or continue working in Canada, while their permanent residence application is being processed.

Taken together, these measures aim to reduce delays between recruitment, arrival, and long-term retention.

Who the New Measures Apply To

The federal announcement explicitly includes:

• General practitioners and family physicians

• Specialists in surgery

• Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine

UK-trained GPs and consultant specialists fall clearly within the scope of the policy.

What This Means for UK Doctors in Practice

The December 2025 changes do not remove the need for Canadian medical licensing, nor do they create a direct permanent residence application that can be completed from the UK without prior Canadian experience.

Instead, they establish a clearer progression. A doctor enters Canada on a work permit, begins practising once licensed, and then transitions to permanent residence through either a provincial nomination or the new Express Entry doctor category.

For many UK doctors, the most significant change is that permanent residence is no longer the main bottleneck, provided the correct steps are taken in the right order.

How UK Doctors Are Expected to Use the New System

Two practical routes are emerging.

One route is province-led. A doctor secures a job offer with a provincial health authority or approved employer, progresses through licensing, and is nominated by the province for permanent residence. That nomination supports a fast-tracked work permit and a strong PR application.

The second route involves entering Canada on a work permit, building at least twelve months of Canadian physician work experience, and then applying through the new Express Entry doctor category once it launches in 2026. This approach can offer greater long-term flexibility, particularly for doctors who do not want to be tied to a single province indefinitely.

Both routes depend heavily on early licensing planning and realistic engagement with employers.

Licensing Remains the Gatekeeper

Immigration approval alone does not permit medical practice in Canada. UK doctors must still meet the requirements of provincial medical regulators.

This usually involves credential verification through the Medical Council of Canada, assessment by the relevant provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons, and in some cases examinations, supervision, or provisional registration. While UK training is generally well regarded, requirements vary by province and by specialty.

The December 2025 immigration reforms do not change these rules, but they do make the licensing effort far more worthwhile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this mean I can avoid Canadian exams?

No. Licensing requirements remain unchanged. Some UK doctors may qualify for exemptions or alternative pathways, but this depends on the province and specialty.

Can I apply for permanent residence before moving to Canada?

In limited cases, yes. However, the new Express Entry doctor category requires Canadian physician work experience.

Are family doctors prioritised?

Yes. Family medicine remains the highest-priority occupation across most provinces.

Do I need a job offer?

In most cases, yes. A job offer is usually essential for work permits, provincial nomination, and expedited processing.

Does working in a smaller community improve my chances?

Yes. Provinces strongly prioritise nominations for doctors willing to work in underserved regions.

Can my family accompany me?

Yes. Spouses are typically eligible for open work permits, and dependent children can attend school in Canada.

The Strategic Reality for UK Doctors

The December 2025 announcement favours doctors who plan early and align licensing, employment, and immigration strategy from the outset. Those who do so benefit from faster entry, greater certainty, and a more reliable route to permanent residence.

Doctors who focus on immigration without addressing licensing, or who delay employer engagement, remain at risk of delays even under the new system.

For more information on new opportunities in Canada please contact us at Hello@MerrickGlobal.com