Sept 23, 2022
IRCC will exclude doctors who collaborate with public health authorities under a fee-for-service approach from the existing rules
When our ageing population needs family doctors the most, doctors from all over the world who choose to settle in Canada and work in our communities play a crucial part in keeping us healthy. The Canadian government is making it simpler for foreign-trained physicians to settle permanently in Canada as provinces and territories work to recruit and keep more of them to help with shortages.
Given that the "fee-for-service" model used in Canada for health care professionals operates outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship, some physicians have encountered obstacles in obtaining permanent residence through Canada's flagship programmes for skilled workers managed under the Express Entry system. Because of this, some doctors are currently regarded as self-employed and are therefore ineligible for the economic pathways to permanent residency.
To solve this issue, Minister Fraser said that the IRCC will exclude doctors who collaborate with public health authorities under a fee-for-service approach from the existing rules. With this modification, physicians will have access to Canada's economic permanent residence programmes and will be recognized for the distinctive employment model used in the country's healthcare system. This will allow a bigger number of the doctors who are already working in our healthcare system to fill important positions here permanently.
Quick Facts:
Applications for temporary resident work permits for vital healthcare workers are still given top priority by IRCC.
Over 8,600 applications for temporary and permanent residence from foreign nationals wishing to work in the health industry have been accepted by the IRCC in 2022.
Over 2,500 specialized doctors, 620 nurses, and 550 nurses' aides and orderlies had their work permit applications approved by IRCC in 2021, along with requests for work permit extensions.
Through Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program, almost 22,400 individuals have achieved permanent residency since 2015, including just over 3,600 physicians and 8,600 nurses.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class are two economic categories under Express Entry that are open to physicians.
The time-limited Temporary Residence to Permanent Residency Program's health care streams admitted about 4,300 permanent residents as of June 2022.