Canada Invites Thousands of Healthcare Professionals in New Express Entry Draw
Canada has invited 2,500 healthcare and social service professionals to apply for permanent residency under the Express Entry system, reinforcing its strategy to attract skilled workers to fill crucial labour shortages in hospitals, clinics, and social institutions.
The draw, conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472, with eligible candidates having created their profiles before May 12, 2025, at 11:17 p.m. UTC.
Fifth healthcare-specific draw of 2025
This marks the fifth Express Entry draw dedicated to the healthcare and social services category in 2025 — and is tied as the second-largest of its kind, behind the July 22 draw that issued 4,000 invitations.
So far this year, nearly 10,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) have been extended to healthcare professionals, underscoring Canada’s continued focus on strengthening its medical and caregiving workforce.
Strong Express Entry activity in October
The latest healthcare draw is the fourth Express Entry draw in October, following:
A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on October 14,
A French-language proficiency draw on October 6, and
A Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on October 1.
To date in 2025, IRCC has issued 73,183 ITAs through various Express Entry categories, prioritizing candidates under PNP, French-language, and CEC streams.
Supporting Canada’s healthcare system
Canada’s healthcare sector continues to face staffing challenges amid rising population needs and an aging demographic. Targeted immigration draws aim to close this gap by welcoming qualified doctors, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare specialists.
“This category-based draw reflects Canada’s ongoing effort to ensure hospitals and social service institutions have the skilled professionals they need,” IRCC noted.
With growing emphasis on healthcare and essential services, the government’s approach signals that the medical sector remains a top immigration priority heading into 2026.
