Health
General Practitioner immigration to Australia & Canada
GPs provide primary medical care to patients across communities. High demand, especially in regional areas; medical registration is required.
Australia pathway
Skilled migration (189 / 190 / 491)
Medical practitioners are assessed by the Australian Medical Council and registered through the Medical Board of Australia. The AMC pathway — standard, competent authority, or specialist — depends on where you qualified and trained. A positive skills assessment is required before an Expression of Interest. Points cover age, English, education, and experience; state nomination (190) or regional (491) can add points.
Canada pathway
Express Entry & 2026 category draws
2026 category: Healthcare and social services occupations
Physicians are covered by the healthcare category. Canada also added a dedicated medical-doctor category for 2026, but that category requires Canadian work experience, so offshore applicants should plan around the general healthcare category. You will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) and qualifying language scores. We help optimise your CRS and prepare a document-ready profile.
Why General Practitioner applications most often stall
This is a multi-year pathway, not a visa application. Doctors who file a skilled-migration case before starting AMC examinations often arrive without a viable route to practise. Sequence registration first, migration second.
Based on files ImmiPace has reviewed. Last reviewed 2026-08-29.
General Practitioner migration — common questions
Is General Practitioner eligible for Australian skilled migration?
General Practitioner is assessed by Medical Board / AMC for Australian skilled visas (subclass 189 Skilled Independent, 190 State Nominated, and 491 Regional). Medical practitioners are assessed by the Australian Medical Council and registered through the Medical Board of Australia. The AMC pathway — standard, competent authority, or specialist — depends on where you qualified and trained. Occupation lists and state nomination criteria change, so always confirm current eligibility with the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant assessing authority.
Which Canada Express Entry category does a General Practitioner fall under in 2026?
General Practitioner generally falls under Healthcare and social services occupations. Physicians are covered by the healthcare category. Canada also added a dedicated medical-doctor category for 2026, but that category requires Canadian work experience, so offshore applicants should plan around the general healthcare category. For renewed categories IRCC requires at least one year of experience in an eligible occupation. Category eligibility can matter more than raising your CRS score, because category rounds frequently invite below the general cut-off.
Do I need registration or a licence to work as a General Practitioner in Australia?
Medical Board of Australia registration is mandatory. Pakistani-qualified doctors normally follow the AMC standard pathway, which involves the AMC CAT MCQ examination and then either the clinical examination or a period of supervised practice. Registration and the migration skills assessment are separate processes with separate requirements, and passing one does not satisfy the other.
Why do General Practitioner skilled migration applications get refused or delayed?
This is a multi-year pathway, not a visa application. Doctors who file a skilled-migration case before starting AMC examinations often arrive without a viable route to practise. Sequence registration first, migration second.
What documents does a General Practitioner need for a skills assessment?
Typically: degree certificates and transcripts, detailed employment reference letters matching the duties of the nominated occupation, CV, English test results, and identity documents. ImmiPace reviews your documents and prepares a submission-ready file.