Canada recently conducted its first Express Entry draw under a new category tailored for physicians with Canadian work experience, resulting in a notable drop in the required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, reaching one of the lowest levels ever seen.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 391 invitations to apply, setting a minimum CRS score of 169. This marks the second-lowest cut-off in the history of Express Entry, surpassed only by the 2021 pandemic draw that plummeted to 75.

A comparison with recent rounds reveals:

• February 17, 2026 – Canadian Experience Class: 508 CRS
• February 16, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program: 789 CRS
• February 6, 2026 – French-language proficiency: 400 CRS

The introduction of the new physician category in late 2025 aims to alleviate doctor shortages nationwide, specifically targeting candidates who:

• Meet Express Entry eligibility criteria
• Have a minimum of 12 months of recent Canadian work experience as physicians
• Submit their application under the specific ministerial instructions for this category

Throughout 2026, Express Entry has predominantly favored candidates already residing in Canada. The distribution of draws this year clearly reflects this trend:

• Canadian Experience Class: 20,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)
• French-language proficiency: 8,500 ITAs
• Provincial Nominee Program: 1,534 ITAs
• Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391 ITAs

Having issued over 30,000 invitations this year, IRCC continues to prioritize applicants within Canada, now extending its targeted selection strategy to include healthcare professionals.