Canada Issues Express Entry ITAs for Physicians
Canada Express Entry — June 24, 2026: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience draw
Immediate update and why it matters
On June 24, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 271 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an occupation-specific Express Entry draw for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience. Eligible candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 223 and to have created an Express Entry profile before 6:13 p.m. UTC on May 31, 2026. This draw underscores IRCC’s 2026 pattern of using occupation- and location-focused rounds to prioritize candidates already in Canada and those with specific work experience.
How this draw fits into the 2026 Express Entry pattern
IRCC has held 33 Express Entry draws so far in 2026. The June 24 physicians draw is the second physicians-specific round this year. Notable trends from the draw log:
– Activity is concentrated on candidates already in Canada: Provincial Nominee Program (12 draws) and Canadian Experience Class (10 draws) are the most frequent draw types.
– French-language proficiency draws have been used repeatedly (6 draws) and represent a large share of ITAs.
– Occupation-specific rounds (physicians, healthcare and social services, senior managers, trades) are being used to meet targeted labour needs.
Across all draw types in 2026, IRCC has issued 85,067 ITAs. Key totals by draw type:
– Canadian Experience Class: 41,250 ITAs
– French-Language proficiency: 30,500 ITAs
– Provincial Nominee Program: 5,405 ITAs
– Healthcare and social services: 4,000 ITAs
– Trades: 3,000 ITAs
– Physicians with Canadian work experience: 662 ITAs (across two draws)
– Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250 ITAs
Who benefits from the June 24 physicians draw
To be eligible for this round, candidates had to be in the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category, have created an Express Entry profile before the stated deadline, and hold a CRS score of at least 223. Direct beneficiaries include:
– Physicians with Canadian work experience who created profiles before 6:13 p.m. UTC on May 31, 2026 and had CRS ≥ 223.
– Candidates in other occupation-specific pools that IRCC targets; they may see separate rounds later in 2026.
– Applicants in categories prioritized elsewhere (CEC, French-language, PNP) who face different thresholds and volumes depending on the draw.
Those who did not meet the occupation-specific condition (for example, physicians without Canadian work experience or profiles created after the deadline) were not eligible for this round.
Practical consequences for applicants and stakeholders
– Profile timing matters. Targeted draws can require profiles to be created before a precise UTC timestamp; missing the cut-off can exclude otherwise qualified candidates.
– Occupation-specific thresholds can be lower than general draws. This physicians draw had a CRS cut-off of 223 with 271 ITAs, reflecting a narrow, targeted pool.
– IRCC’s 2026 emphasis favors in-Canada candidates. CEC and PNP draws account for a large portion of ITAs, giving an operational edge to those already in Canada.
– Volume and purpose differ by draw type. PNP rounds are frequent but represent a smaller total ITA volume compared with CEC and French-language rounds, which issued most invitations.
Important numbers, dates and deadlines
– June 24, 2026: 271 ITAs issued in a Physicians with Canadian Work Experience draw
– Minimum CRS score for that draw: 223
– Express Entry profile creation deadline for eligibility: before 6:13 p.m. UTC on May 31, 2026
– Cumulative Express Entry activity in 2026 (as of this update): 33 draws, 85,067 ITAs issued
– Breakdown of ITAs by draw type in 2026:
– Canadian Experience Class: 41,250 ITAs
– French-Language proficiency: 30,500 ITAs
– Provincial Nominee Program: 5,405 ITAs
– Healthcare and social services: 4,000 ITAs
– Trades: 3,000 ITAs
– Physicians with Canadian work experience: 662 ITAs (across two draws)
– Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250 ITAs
What applicants should watch and prepare for next
– Monitor category-specific rounds. IRCC is running targeted draws for occupations and language proficiency; expect more focused opportunities.
– Keep Express Entry profiles current and note profile-creation timestamps when eligibility depends on them.
– Understand how draw types affect chances. Large-volume CEC and French-language draws issued most ITAs in 2026; PNP and occupation-specific routes tend to be more targeted but less voluminous.
– Be ready to respond quickly to eligibility windows for targeted rounds.
Interpreting the CRS cut-off and ITA numbers for physicians
The CRS cut-off of 223 and the 271 ITAs issued show how IRCC can select a specific occupational pool at a relatively modest threshold compared with some general rounds. This being the second physicians-specific draw in 2026 (bringing the physicians total to 662 ITAs across two draws) indicates IRCC has used targeted rounds more than once to address medical sector demand.
Final practical reminders
– Double-check deadlines tied to targeted draws — profile creation timestamps can determine eligibility.
– Track draw type and ITA counts to gauge competitiveness within your pool.
– Candidates in the physicians and health sectors should monitor announcements closely given multiple targeted rounds this year.
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