In a continued effort to address Canada’s pressing labor shortages in critical sectors, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its second targeted Express Entry draw this month focused specifically on healthcare and social services professionals.
On June 4, 2025, IRCC invited 500 skilled candidates to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system, all from the healthcare and social services occupations category. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504 to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Only those who created an Express Entry profile before 6:47 a.m. UTC on March 31, 2025, were eligible for consideration in this round.
Also Read Canada Prioritizes Healthcare Occupations in Latest Express Entry Invitation Round
A Growing Emphasis on Sector-Specific Draws
This latest draw reflects IRCC’s evolving strategy to align immigration priorities with Canada’s labor market demands. Since the introduction of category-based draws in 2023, there has been a notable shift from purely points-based selection to more targeted recruitment. Healthcare and social services occupations are now a clear priority, with this being the second draw of 2025 focused exclusively on this group.
Canada continues to grapple with workforce shortages in areas such as nursing, mental health support, elder care, and social work. By targeting these professions through the Express Entry system, the government aims to streamline pathways to permanent residency for individuals who can fill these vital roles.
Breakdown of Express Entry Activity in 2025
So far this year, IRCC has issued 35,217 ITAs across multiple Express Entry categories. The focus has been primarily on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants, though significant numbers have also gone to those under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French-speaking candidates, and specialized occupational categories.
Here’s a summary of Express Entry draws conducted in 2025:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
| 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 |
Current Express Entry Trends: Who Is Being Selected?
The breakdown of Express Entry draws this year shows a diversified approach:
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 9 draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 4 draws
- French-Language Proficiency: 3 draws
- Healthcare and Social Services: 2 draws
- Education: 1 draw
This strategic allocation suggests that IRCC is leveraging Express Entry not just as a tool for general immigration but as a means of addressing sectoral and provincial labor needs directly.
Understanding the Express Entry Timeline
The Express Entry process is designed to be efficient, but it does require preparation and attentiveness from candidates. Here’s how the timeline typically unfolds:
- Profile Validity: A submitted Express Entry profile remains active for up to one year.
- Invitation Timeline: If a candidate does not receive an ITA within that time, they must reapply with a new profile.
- Tie-breaking Rule: Resubmitted profiles are assigned a new timestamp, which can influence eligibility based on IRCC’s tie-breaking rules in each draw.
- Post-Invitation Processing: Once an ITA is received, the applicant has 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
- Processing Time: IRCC aims to finalize decisions within six months from the date of complete application submission.
Looking Ahead
As Canada continues to refine its immigration policies to support economic growth and social infrastructure, targeted Express Entry draws like the one held on June 4 demonstrate the government’s responsiveness to national priorities. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a skilled tradesperson, or a French-speaking applicant, keeping your profile up-to-date and understanding the evolving selection criteria can significantly increase your chances of being invited.
For individuals hoping to contribute their skills to Canada’s future, the message is clear: the door is open—especially for those who can help meet the country’s most urgent workforce needs.
