Canada is once again focusing on international healthcare workers through the Express Entry system. On August 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services occupation category. This is the year’s second-largest health-specific draw, showcasing the nation’s continuous demand for professionals in these critical fields.
Also Read Canada Conducts Major Healthcare Express Entry Draw, Invites 2,500 Candidates
Eligibility and Cut-off Requirements
To be selected in this draw, the eligible candidates should:
- hold a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 470.
- have created their Express Entry profile before April 23, 2025, at 8:08 p.m. (UTC).
This cut-off score indicates growing competitiveness in occupation-specific draws, particularly since healthcare and social service occupations continue to rank high in Canada’s skill shortages list.
Express Entry Draws in 2025: A Year of Category-Based Focus
The August 19 draw was the fifth Express Entry draw in August, coming hot on the heels of an August 18 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw and an August 8 French-language proficiency draw.
In total, 55,820 ITAs have been issued in 2025 across all categories. There is obviously a trend now with IRCC leaning towards targeted draws designed to respond to specific skill shortages in the economy.
Breakdown of 2025 Draws by Category
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 15 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 8 draws
- French-language proficiency: 4 draws
- Healthcare & Social Services: 4 draws
- Education: 1 draw
This emphasis is an even-handed approach: while PNP still dominates, occupation-based categories such as healthcare and French-language proficiency are increasingly becoming more significant.
Notable 2025 Healthcare Draws
- July 22, 2025: 4,000 ITAs (largest healthcare draw of 2025).
- June 4, 2025: 500 ITAs, CRS 504.
- May 2, 2025: 500 ITAs, CRS 510.
- August 19, 2025: 2,500 ITAs, CRS 470.
After two large healthcare draws in less than two months, Canada is posting evidence of ongoing priority for health professionals, nurses, and allied social service professionals.
All the Express Entry Draws Till Date
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| August 19 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 470 |
| August 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| August 7 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| August 6 | Provincial Nominee Program | 225 | 739 |
| July 22 | Healthcare and social services | 4,000 | 475 |
| July 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 202 | 788 |
| July 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 518 |
| July 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 356 | 750 |
| June 26 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| June 23 | Provincial Nominee Program | 503 | 742 |
| June 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 529 |
| June 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 125 | 784 |
| June 4 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 504 |
| June 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 277 | 726 |
| May 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 547 |
| May 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 511 | 706 |
| May 2 | Healthcare and social services | 500 | 510 |
| May 1 | Education | 1,000 | 479 |
| April 28 | Provincial Nominee Program | 421 | 727 |
| April 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 825 | 764 |
| March 21 | French language proficiency | 7,500 | 379 |
| March 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 536 | 736 |
| March 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 410 |
| March 3 | Provincial Nominee Program | 725 | 667 |
| February 19 | French language proficiency | 6,500 | 428 |
| February 17 | Provincial Nominee Program | 646 | 750 |
| February 5 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 521 |
| February 4 | Provincial Nominee Program | 455 | 802 |
| January 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 527 |
| January 8 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,350 | 542 |
| January 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 471 | 793 |
Why Healthcare Professionals Are in Demand
Canada continues to grapple with hospital, long-term care facilities, and community health care staff shortages. Through category-based draws using Express Entry, IRCC is in a position to target specifically candidates who possess the most in-demand skills. This approach also helps new immigrants to adapt more smoothly to employment that suits their qualifications.
Outlook for the Rest of 2025
If history is any indication, healthcare-stream draws should remain a monthly occurrence. In combination with PNP and French-language draws, these draws complement Canada’s overall strategy of addressing labor market needs while pursuing regional and demographic objectives.
With 55,820 ITAs being issued so far this year, 2025 is already one of the most active years for targeted Express Entry invitations.
Key Takeaway
The most recent draw reaffirms that physicians and social workers continue to be the priority of Canada’s immigration strategy. Skilled workers in these professions who are scheduled to immigrate need to have their Express Entry profiles current and competitive so that they are kept available for the rest of the year.
