Canada Prioritises Healthcare Talent in Latest Express Entry Selection Round

Canada has conducted another targeted immigration draw this December, placing a renewed spotlight on applicants with experience in healthcare and social support roles. This focused approach aligns with the country’s continued efforts to strengthen key public service sectors facing persistent workforce shortages.

Also Read IRCC Launches December’s First Targeted Express Entry Draw for Healthcare Professionals

Targeted Draw Welcomes 1,000 Skilled Healthcare Professionals

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its most recent category-based Express Entry draw. This round exclusively considered candidates in healthcare and social services professions – a group repeatedly prioritised throughout 2025.

To be considered, applicants were required to:

  • Hold a CRS score of at least 476, and
  • Have submitted their Express Entry profile before 7:44 a.m. UTC on November 26, 2025.

This draw intensifies Canada’s commitment to pulling in professionals who can contribute to clinics, hospitals, community health organisations, rehabilitation centres, and social care services.

December Shaping Up as One of the Busiest Months for Express Entry

The healthcare-focused draw follows two major selection rounds earlier this month:

  • A Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on December 10 that issued 6,000 ITAs
  • A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on December 8, inviting 1,123 candidates

Combined with a large French-language draw on November 28, December has become one of the most active periods of the year for new invitations.

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Complete Overview of All 2025 Express Entry Draws

Below is a consolidated look at every draw conducted this year, reflecting Canada’s continued blend of program-specific and category-based selections.

DateDraw TypeITAs IssuedCRS Cutoff
December 11Healthcare and social services1,000476
December 10Canadian Experience Class6,000520
December 8Provincial Nominee Program1,123729
November 28French language proficiency6,000408
November 25Canadian Experience Class1,000531
November 25Provincial Nominee Program777699
November 14Healthcare and social services3,500462
November 12Canadian Experience Class1,000533
November 10Provincial Nominee Program714738
October 29French language proficiency6,000416
October 28Canadian Experience Class1,000533
October 27Provincial Nominee Program302761
October 15Healthcare and social services2,500472
October 14Provincial Nominee Program345778
October 6French language proficiency4,500432
October 1Canadian Experience Class1,000534
September 29Provincial Nominee Program291855
September 18Trade1,250505
September 17Education2,500462
September 15Provincial Nominee Program228746
September 4French language proficiency4,500446
September 3Canadian Experience Class1,000534
September 2Provincial Nominee Program249772
August 19Healthcare and social services2,500470
August 18Provincial Nominee Program192800
August 8French language proficiency2,500481
August 7Canadian Experience Class1,000534
August 6Provincial Nominee Program225739
July 22Healthcare and social services4,000475
July 21Provincial Nominee Program202788
July 8Canadian Experience Class3,000518
July 7Provincial Nominee Program356750
June 26Canadian Experience Class3,000521
June 23Provincial Nominee Program503742
June 12Canadian Experience Class3,000529
June 10Provincial Nominee Program125784
June 4Healthcare and social services500504
June 2Provincial Nominee Program277726
May 13Canadian Experience Class500547
May 12Provincial Nominee Program511706
May 2Healthcare and social services500510
May 1Education1,000479
April 28Provincial Nominee Program421727
April 14Provincial Nominee Program825764
March 21French language proficiency7,500379
March 17Provincial Nominee Program536736
March 6French language proficiency4,500410
March 3Provincial Nominee Program725667
February 19French language proficiency6,500428
February 17Provincial Nominee Program646750
February 5Canadian Experience Class4,000521
February 4Provincial Nominee Program455802
January 23Canadian Experience Class4,000527
January 8Canadian Experience Class1,350542
January 7Provincial Nominee Program471793

Over 106,000 Invitations Issued in 2025

The latest healthcare draw pushes the total count of ITAs issued this year to 102,599, demonstrating Canada’s consistent movement toward targeted selection rounds. This results from a shift away from broad, all-program draws toward more precision-based invitations.

Immigrate Through Express Entry, CIC NEWS Update

Breakdown of 2025 Draw Trends

Number of Draws Conducted per Category

CategoryDraws Held
Provincial Nominee Program22
Canadian Experience Class14
French-Language Proficiency8
Healthcare and Social Services6
Education2
Trade1

Total ITAs Issued by Stream

StreamTotal ITAs
French-Language42,000
Canadian Experience Class30,850
Healthcare & Social Services13,500
Provincial Nominee Program9,376
Education3,500
Trade1,250

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A Strong Signal for Prospective Immigrants in Essential Fields

With repeated draws aimed at healthcare applicants throughout 2025, it is clear that Canada is continuing to align its immigration priorities with national labour demands. As the country prepares for 2026, individuals in healthcare, social care, and other priority occupations may benefit from increased opportunities to secure permanent residency through category-based selections.