Canada has conducted another category-based Express Entry draw on 15th October, this time inviting 2,500 skilled professionals working in the healthcare and social services sectors to apply for permanent residence.
The latest draw by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reinforces the country’s commitment to addressing ongoing labor shortages in essential care industries.
Also Read Express Entry Draw #373: IRCC Invites 2,500 Healthcare Professionals for Canadian PR
Eligibility Highlights
To qualify for this round, candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 472 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile on or before May 12, 2025, at 11:17 p.m. (UTC).
This draw opens more pathways for international medical practitioners, social service workers, and healthcare administrators seeking long-term career prospects in Canada.
- Draw date- 15th October, 2025
- Total ITAs issued- 2,500
- CRS cutoff- 472
- Program/Category targeted- Healthcare and Social Services category
October’s Immigration Activity
October has proven to be an active month for immigration, with four draws already conducted:
- October 1: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw
- October 6: French language proficiency draw
- October 14: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw
- October 15: Healthcare and Social Services draw
Each round reflects IRCC’s strategy of diversifying entry streams to target talent pools across different professional and linguistic backgrounds.
Also Read
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- Canada Rolls Out New Immigration Fee Structure Starting December 2025
- Nova Scotia Redesigns Immigration Intake With New Pool-Based Selection Model
- Canada Prepares for New PR Streams in 2026
- Ontario to Add New PR Pathways Under its PNP Program
- Canada Holds Another Major French-Focused Express Entry Draw
- IRCC Drops CRS to 531 in Surprise CEC Draw, the Lowest Since July
Year-to-Date Trends in Express Entry
Since January 2025, IRCC has issued 74,183 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system. The data indicate a balanced approach between PNP, CEC, and category-based draws that focus on French-speaking and healthcare professionals.
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 19 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 10 |
| French-language proficiency | 6 |
| Healthcare and social services | 5 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
When comparing total ITAs by stream, French-speaking candidates and those in the Canadian Experience Class continue to receive the majority of invitations, followed by healthcare professionals.
| Draw type | ITAs issued to date |
| French | 30,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 21,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 9,792 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 6,947 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
Express Entry Draws in 2025
Throughout 2025, IRCC has been conducting a series of category-specific draws under its Express Entry system, with a consistent focus on sectors that support national growth and essential public services.
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| October 15 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 472 |
| October 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| October 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 432 |
| October 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 29 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
| September 18 | Trade | 1,250 | 505 |
| September 17 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| September 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| September 4 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| September 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| September 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 249 | 772 |
| August 19 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 470 |
| August 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 192 | 800 |
| August 8 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 481 |
| 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 |
Growing Focus on the Healthcare Stream
This was the fifth healthcare-focused draw of the year and stands as one of the largest in this category for 2025. Only the draw on July 22, which invited 4,000 professionals, surpassed it in size.
So far, Canada has issued nearly 10,000 invitations to healthcare and social service workers this year, reaffirming the country’s effort to bring in professionals who can strengthen its medical and caregiving sectors.
Canada’s Direction on Skilled Immigration
With every draw, Canada continues to demonstrate its strategic shift toward targeted immigration. The focus on healthcare and social services shows the federal government’s dedication to filling critical roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community support programs.
For skilled workers in these fields, this draw serves as a strong signal that Canada remains open to professionals who can make meaningful contributions to its healthcare system and overall social well-being.
