Canada introduces immigration incentives for dental professionals

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new rules for the Express Entry system to better align immigration policy with domestic labor market needs. Starting November 3, 2026, dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists will be eligible for additional points based on their professional experience or job offers.

Candidates can receive 40 additional points for at least one year of qualifying work experience in Canada within these high-earning professions. Alternatively, they can receive 70 points for a qualifying job offer in a role where the median salary is at least 1.5 times but less than 2 times the national median. These points cannot be combined, and candidates will receive the higher of the two options. The new regulations also include updated verification methods for job offers.