Canada invites 229 physicians in September Express Entry
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 229 invitations to physicians in a category-based draw on September 3, 2026, requiring a minimum CRS
Canada invited 229 physicians to apply for permanent residence on September 3, 2026. The draw targeted candidates in the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 198.
This was the third category-based round for physicians in 2026. It was also the 52nd Express Entry draw of the year.
Draw details and tie-breaking rule
Under the system's tie-breaking rule, only candidates with a CRS score of 198 who submitted their Express Entry profile before August 6, 2026, at 19:40:38 UTC received an invitation. This rule determines who is selected when multiple candidates have the same minimum score.
2026 physicians draw trends
Invitation numbers for physicians have declined with each successive round in 2026. Meanwhile, the required CRS scores have remained in a narrow, low range. The September 3 cut-off of 198 is the second-lowest score ever recorded for a physicians round.
The inaugural draw on February 19, 2026, holds the record for the lowest score. Across the three rounds held so far this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued a total of 891 invitations to physicians.
| Draw Date | Minimum CRS Score | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2026 | Lowest on record | Not specified in source |
| September 3, 2026 | 198 | 229 |
Category eligibility and score comparison
The Physicians category is one of ten used for Express Entry's category-based selection. To be eligible, candidates must have recent Canadian work experience in an eligible physician occupation. They must also meet the requirements of at least one of the federal economic immigration programs managed under Express Entry.
This category draws from a small pool of candidates already working in Canada. Consequently, its CRS cut-offs are far lower than those for general draws. For example, a Canadian Experience Class draw held just two days earlier, on September 1, 2026, required a minimum score of 521.
Broader 2026 category-based selection
Throughout 2026, the federal government has relied heavily on category-based selection to invite candidates. The system prioritizes those with experience in specific occupations or strong French-language skills. Besides physicians, other eligible groups include healthcare and social services workers, tradespeople, educators, transport workers, STEM professionals, French speakers, senior managers, researchers, and skilled military recruits.
The low score of 198 means many physicians currently working in Canada could be within range for an invitation in a future draw.
