Canada's Latest Physician Express Entry Draw: 229 ITAs at CRS 198

Canada held a physician-specific Express Entry draw on September 3, 2026, inviting 229 candidates to apply for permanent residence. The lowest CRS score among invited candidates was 198.

This was a category-based round for the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category. The CRS score of 198 was the lowest-ranked invited score in that round only. It should not be treated as a guaranteed cut-off for future physician draws.

What Happened in the September 3, 2026 Physician Draw?

• IRCC held a physician-specific, category-based Express Entry round.
• It issued 229 invitations to apply for permanent residence.
• The lowest-ranked invited candidate had a CRS score of 198.
• Candidates were ranked only against others eligible for the physician category.
• The round was separate from general Express Entry rounds and from other category-based rounds.

An invitation is not an approval. Invited candidates must still submit a complete application that meets all program and admissibility requirements.

Why Was the CRS Cut-off 198?

IRCC does not publish a reason for a specific cut-off score. What is known is how a round works: IRCC ranks the eligible candidates in the category and invites them from the top down, up to the number of invitations set for that round. The cut-off is simply the score of the lowest-ranked candidate who received an invitation.

Does CRS 198 Mean Physicians With 198 CRS Will Get PR?

No. CRS 198 was the cut-off for the September 3, 2026 round. It does not guarantee an invitation in a future round. Future cut-offs can vary depending on:

• the number of candidates in the category;
• the number of invitations issued;
• the CRS scores of candidates in the pool;
• IRCC's invitation strategy; and
• the instructions that apply to each category round.

Who Was Eligible for This Category?

In summary, under IRCC's current rules the physician category requires:

• eligibility for one of the Express Entry-managed programs;
• at least 12 months of full-time qualifying physician work experience, or equivalent part-time experience;
• experience gained in Canada within the previous 3 years;
• work in one of the eligible physician occupations; and
• meeting the requirements of the specific invitation round.

The experience does not need to be continuous. Six months of experience is not sufficient for the current category. Source: IRCC category-based selection.

Physicians who want to review the full eligibility requirements and PR process can explore our Physicians with Canadian Work Experience PR pathway.

Which Physician Occupations Are Included?

How Does This Draw Differ From the Healthcare Draw?

The September 3 round was only for the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category. That is different from the broader Healthcare and Social Services Occupations category, which covers many occupations, such as nurses, pharmacists and social workers. The physician category targets eligible medical doctors with qualifying Canadian work experience. For the most recent broader round, see our article on the September 2026 healthcare draw.

Previous Physician Express Entry Draws in 2026

IRCC's official round data shows three physician-specific rounds in 2026 so far:

Invitation numbers and CRS cut-offs have varied from round to round. These figures are shown for context only. They do not indicate a trend, and the September 2026 result should not be treated as a permanent threshold.

What Does This Mean for Physicians?

The September 3 result shows that candidates ranked at CRS 198 or above were within the invited range for that particular round, subject to the category and Express Entry requirements.

• Physicians who meet the category requirements and have a CRS near this result may want to review their Express Entry profile.
• Physicians below 198 should not assume they are excluded from Canadian immigration generally.
• Physicians above 198 should not assume a future round will use the same threshold.
• All candidates should make sure their profile accurately reflects their work experience, language, education and other CRS factors.

What If My CRS Is Below 198?

A physician below the September 3 cut-off may:

• remain in the pool for future rounds while continuing to meet the requirements;
• review whether their score can be improved under the CRS criteria;
• review language test results;
• review education and other CRS factors; and
• consider other eligible federal or provincial and territorial programs where applicable.

No option guarantees an invitation. For a broader look, see PR options if your CRS score is lower. Processing times vary; check current IRCC processing times.

Sources and Disclaimer

Express Entry rules, category requirements and draw results can change. This article provides general information as of September 25, 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice and does not guarantee eligibility, an invitation or permanent residence.

• IRCC: Ministerial Instructions — Express Entry rounds of invitations
• IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations (draw results)
• IRCC: Express Entry category-based selection (physicians with Canadian work experience)
• IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System criteria