Immigrate to Canada as a Physician
Specialist (31100) and general practitioner (31102) physicians are TEER 1 and regularly targeted by healthcare category Express Entry draws. Licensing, CRS and provincial pathway guidance.
Physicians fall under NOC 31100 (specialist physicians) or 31102 (general practitioners and family physicians), both TEER 1. Healthcare occupations have been consistently targeted in category-based Express Entry draws with lower cutoffs than general rounds. Medicine is a strictly regulated profession, so the right to practise depends entirely on separate provincial licensing through the Medical Council of Canada and the relevant College of Physicians and Surgeons — a long process that runs independently of immigration status.
Key facts
| NOC code | 31100 Specialist physicians / 31102 General practitioners and family physicians |
|---|---|
| TEER | TEER 1 |
| Main routes | Express Entry (FSW, CEC), provincial nominee physician streams |
| Category draws | Healthcare occupations regularly targeted — verify current categories |
| Licensing | Regulated — MCC exams and provincial College licensure required to practise |
| Credential route | Physiciansapply.ca / MCC credential verification |
Who may qualify?
- Internationally trained physicians with completed medical school and residency
- Physicians with at least one year of continuous, documented clinical practice
- Physicians targeting provinces with dedicated physician nominee streams
- Physicians who have already passed MCC qualifying examinations
Eligibility requirements
- Approved English or French language test results
- An ECA for medical education completed outside Canada
- Documented clinical experience matching NOC 31100/31102 duties
- Separate provincial licensing before practising medicine in Canada
How it works: step by step
- 1
Start MCC credential verification early
Examinations and document verification through the Medical Council of Canada take significant time and should begin well before an immigration application.
- 2
Identify a target province
Licensing requirements, return-of-service obligations and provincial nominee physician streams differ substantially by province.
- 3
Assess Express Entry alongside PNP
Category-based healthcare draws may apply, but many physicians land through a provincial nominee stream tied to a confirmed practice opportunity.
- 4
Plan for a practice assessment period
Some provinces require supervised practice or additional assessment even after licensing exams are passed.
Expert insight
Physicians often assume immigration approval and the ability to practise arrive together. They do not. The strongest files pair an immigration strategy with a realistic, province-specific licensing timeline set out from day one.
Alternative pathways
Frequently asked questions
Immigration programs, fees and processing times change frequently. This page is general information, not immigration advice. Verify current requirements with official Government of Canada sources or speak with our RCIC.