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.
| Date | Draw Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cutoff |
| December 11 | Healthcare and social services | 1,000 | 476 |
| December 10 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,000 | 520 |
| December 8 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,123 | 729 |
| November 28 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 408 |
| November 25 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 531 |
| November 25 | Provincial Nominee Program | 777 | 699 |
| November 14 | Healthcare and social services | 3,500 | 462 |
| November 12 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| November 10 | Provincial Nominee Program | 714 | 738 |
| October 29 | French language proficiency | 6,000 | 416 |
| October 28 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 533 |
| October 27 | Provincial Nominee Program | 302 | 761 |
| 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 |
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.
Breakdown of 2025 Draw Trends
Number of Draws Conducted per Category
| Category | Draws Held |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 22 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 14 |
| French-Language Proficiency | 8 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 6 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
Total ITAs Issued by Stream
| Stream | Total ITAs |
| French-Language | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 30,850 |
| Healthcare & Social Services | 13,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 9,376 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
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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.
