Foreign national physicians aspiring to make Canada their home often encounter hurdles due to the unique nature of their work arrangements. Their employment arrangements might not align with the specific criteria of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs. As a result, it can be challenging for them to qualify for permanent residency through the Express Entry system, which offers faster processing times.

Express Entry Dilemma
Candidates applying through Express Entry must meet the eligibility criteria for one of the federal economic programs it manages, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). They must also earn sufficient points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency.

The Regulations require an offer of employment to be continuous for at least one year after a permanent resident visa is issued to qualify for arranged employment points for FSWC. Many physicians’ work arrangements do not meet this requirement, rendering them ineligible for these programs and preventing them from entering the Express Entry pool.

Unique Work Arrangements
A significant number of physicians in Canada operate as independent contractors, providing medical services funded by provincial/territorial public health authorities. Consequently, their employment status often falls under self-employed.

The Regulations exclude self-employment periods when calculating in-Canada work experience for CEC eligibility. This exclusion means self-employed physicians may not meet CEC requirements, further hindering their entry into the Express Entry pool.