Canada’s Latest Healthcare & Social Services Express Entry Draw: Who Received ITAs and Why
In 2025, Healthcare and Social Services has been officially designated as a priority category under Canada’s Express Entry system, offering skilled workers in these occupations significantly better chances of obtaining permanent residency (PR). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under this category this year, highlighting the government’s focus on addressing critical labour shortages in these sectors.
The most recent category-based draw had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score of 475, meaning only candidates who scored at or above this level received an invitation. Many foreign-trained professionals and graduates from Canadian institutions benefitted, even without Canadian work experience in some cases.
Below are three fictional yet realistic examples of applicants who would have received ITAs in this draw:
Example 1 – The Foreign-Trained Social Worker
Kasun Perera, a 28-year-old from Sri Lanka, holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s in psychology. He worked for three years as a social worker in Sri Lanka and achieved Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 10 in English.
Although Kasun had no Canadian education or work experience, his strong language skills and high education level boosted his CRS score to 481, allowing him to qualify.
Note: Social work in Canada is regulated at the provincial level, so Kasun would need to register with the relevant provincial authority (e.g., Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers) before practicing.
Example 2 – The Canadian-Trained Massage Therapist
Camille Holmes, 26, from the UK, initially worked as a hairstylist before moving to Ontario. She completed a two-year diploma in massage therapy and gained two years of Canadian work experience at a wellness clinic while on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). With CLB level 9 in English and extra points for studying in Canada, Camille scored 500 points, making her an easy qualifier for the draw.
Example 3 – The Bilingual Personal Support Worker
Salma Tatar, 27, from Algeria, completed an eight-month Personal Support Worker (PSW) program in Toronto and worked for two years in a hospital as a nurse aide. She achieved CLB level 8 in English and NCLC level 7 in French, earning extra points for bilingual skills. Applying with her husband—who also had strong qualifications—boosted her CRS to 499, securing her an ITA.
Eligibility Reminder
To qualify for a category-based draw in healthcare and social services, candidates must:
- Have at least six months of continuous full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years.
- Meet the minimum Express Entry requirements for education, language, and work experience.
This latest draw demonstrates that both foreign-trained professionals and Canadian graduates in healthcare and social services can have strong chances of receiving ITAs—especially if they possess high language scores, relevant work experience, and education.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
