IRCC issues 2,500 ITAs in healthcare-focused Express Entry draw as targeted selections continue
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 2,500 candidates in a recent Express Entry draw targeted at the Healthcare and social services category. The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472 and applied to candidates who created an Express Entry profile before 11:17 p.m. UTC on May 12, 2025.
This round underscores IRCC’s continuing use of category-based selection to fill acute labour shortages in Canada’s health sector while maintaining a multi-track approach that includes Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws.
What the draw delivered
- Invitations issued: 2,500 ITAs (Healthcare and social services category)
- Minimum CRS: 472
- Profile creation cut-off: before 11:17 p.m. UTC, May 12, 2025
How this fits into 2025’s Express Entry pattern
Express Entry in 2025 has shown a clear emphasis on category-based and province-driven selections. To date this year IRCC has issued 73,183 Invitations to Apply through Express Entry across multiple draw types. The distribution of ITAs in 2025 highlights a multi-track strategy:
- French-language draws: 30,000 ITAs
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 21,850 ITAs
- Healthcare and social services: 7,292 ITAs (including this draw)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 6,947 ITAs
- Education: 3,500 ITAs
- Trade: 1,250 ITAs
IRCC continues to alternate between large category draws (for example French or healthcare), employer/provincial nominations, and standard CEC rounds to align immigration outcomes with labour market priorities.
Why the healthcare category matters
Health-sector draws aim to address persistent shortages in nursing, allied health and support roles that affect patient care across the country. By holding targeted draws for healthcare and social services, IRCC can rapidly bring skilled workers into the labour market where they are most needed, while also offering pathways to permanent residency for workers already in Canada or abroad.
Who benefited from this draw
Candidates selected in this round are typically those with experience, credentials or job offers in occupations classified under the healthcare and social services umbrella. Many invitees may already be working in Canada in regulated or semi-regulated health roles; others are internationally trained professionals whose qualifications match provincial and national demand.
Practical next steps for invited candidates
If you received an ITA:
- Prepare and submit a complete PR application within the timeframe specified in the invitation.
- Collect and verify documentation: employment letters, regulated profession licences (if applicable), language test results, educational credential assessments, police certificates and identity documents.
- Ensure medical exams are valid and any regulatory requirements for your occupation are met.
- Consider professional assistance from an authorized immigration consultant or lawyer if your case is complex.
If you are still in the Express Entry pool:
- Track upcoming draw types and cut-offs; category draws (health, French, education, trade) periodically open opportunities for lower-scoring candidates who meet specific criteria.
- Explore provincial nominee streams that align with your occupation and ties to a province.
Implications for employers and provinces
Employers in the health sector can expect continued federal emphasis on filling critical roles. Provinces and health authorities that coordinate recruitment and credential recognition will remain central partners in converting temporary or foreign-trained workers into long-term additions to the Canadian workforce.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
