Eligible Pakistani physicians may benefit from expedited Canadian work permit processing under measures designed to address shortages across the country’s healthcare system.
Canada has introduced an expedited work permit route allowing eligible foreign-trained doctors, including qualified physicians from Pakistan, to have their applications processed within 14 days.
The measure is part of Canada’s broader effort to recruit international medical professionals and address shortages of doctors in different provinces and territories.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the fast-track facility is available to doctors who have been nominated by a Canadian province or territory through the Provincial Nominee Program.
The expedited permit will allow successful applicants to begin working in Canada while their permanent residence applications are being processed. The 14-day timeline applies to the work permit application, rather than the permanent residence process.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must have a full-time, non-seasonal Canadian job offer in one of three eligible medical occupation categories:
- General practitioners and family physicians
- Specialists in surgery
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
Doctors must also obtain a letter of support from the province or territory nominating them for permanent residence. Applications must be submitted online and include all required employment, medical and immigration documents.
The Canadian employer must provide an employment contract or proof of employment, an official offer-of-employment number and evidence that the required employer compliance fee has been paid.
Applicants must also complete an upfront medical examination and provide biometrics when required. Canadian authorities have warned that incomplete applications may not receive expedited processing.
Opportunities for Pakistani doctors
Pakistani doctors who meet the professional, employment and immigration requirements may apply for the programme in the same way as other eligible international physicians.
However, holding a Pakistani medical qualification alone does not automatically make a doctor eligible to practise in Canada. Foreign-trained physicians must have their qualifications assessed and obtain a medical licence from the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory authority.
Licensing requirements may vary depending on the province, medical speciality and applicant’s previous professional experience.
Family members can also apply
Eligible doctors applying from outside Canada may submit applications for accompanying family members at the same time.
A spouse or common-law partner may apply for a work permit or visitor visa, while dependent children may apply for study permits or visitor visas. Applications submitted together may also receive faster processing, provided all documentation and biometric requirements are completed.
Canada reserves 5,000 immigration spaces
Canada has reserved 5,000 federal immigration admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors who have job offers or official letters of support.
The government has also established an Express Entry category for international doctors with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience gained during the previous three years.
Canadian authorities say these measures are intended to attract qualified medical professionals, reduce staffing shortages and improve access to healthcare services across the country.
Pakistani doctors interested in applying should verify their occupation classification, licensing requirements and provincial nomination eligibility through official Canadian immigration and provincial medical regulatory channels before submitting an application.
How to apply
Eligible doctors can review the requirements and application instructions on the official Government of Canada website:
Official programme details:
Medical doctors and healthcare specialists: Get faster processing
Submit an online application:
Create or sign in to an IRCC secure account
Applicants must first secure an eligible full-time job offer and obtain a support letter from the Canadian province or territory nominating them. They must then submit a complete online work permit application with the required employer documents, medical examination results and applicable fees.
