The Canadian government has announced new immigration pathways to address a nationwide shortage of doctors and strengthen the country’s healthcare system. The policy facilitates the process for qualified foreign physicians, including those from Pakistan, to work and settle in Canada by providing access to five immigration pathways that lead to permanent residence.
The pathways include the Express Entry system alongside various provincial and regional nominee programs.
Under the policy, physicians who receive a nomination from a Canadian province or territory qualify for expedited work permit processing. Canadian immigration authorities will process the specific applications within 14 days, a measure designed to let doctors begin medical practice in Canada while the government processes their permanent residence applications.
The policy allows applicants to include their spouse and dependent children in the permanent residence applications, which enables families to relocate together.
Pakistani doctors who intend to pursue a career in Canada can review the eligibility criteria and specific program requirements on the official Canadian immigration website.
The development aligns with broader trends of Pakistani medical professionals securing employment opportunities in Western healthcare systems. Recent data from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) indicates that more than 1,400 Pakistani medical graduates secured placements in the United States (US) residency program during the current year.
PMDC officials linked the high placement numbers to updated medical curricula and structural quality assurance standards implemented across local institutions.
