Canada has always been known for welcoming immigrants, especially those who help build the country’s future. In recent changes to its immigration system, Canada has started to give more priority to healthcare professionals. Through the Express Entry program, skilled workers from the healthcare field now have a greater chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
This blog explains how the new Express Entry categories favour healthcare professionals and what this means for those working in the medical field who want to build a life in Canada.
Express Entry is Canada’s points-based immigration system for skilled workers. It manages three main programs:
Candidates create a profile and are given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like age, education, work experience, language skills, and more. Periodically, the government invites top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residency through rounds of invitations.
Previously, Express Entry mainly selected candidates based on their CRS score. However, recent changes introduced category-based selection draws. This means candidates are now invited not just because of high scores but also because they have experience in certain in-demand sectors.
One of the most important sectors now being targeted is healthcare.
Canada is facing a growing shortage of healthcare professionals. The population is aging, and the demand for doctors, nurses, caregivers, and other health-related workers is rising. Canadian employers are struggling to fill these gaps, especially in rural and underserved areas.
To respond to this urgent need, the immigration system was updated to make it easier for qualified healthcare professionals to come to Canada and contribute to the economy and the community's well-being.
The immigration authorities target professionals with experience in specific healthcare occupations through the healthcare-focused Express Entry draws. These include:
If your work experience falls under one of these roles and you meet the general eligibility criteria, you may receive an invitation even with a lower CRS score than in regular draws.
Here’s how the new system favours healthcare workers:
Healthcare professionals now have their own category for selection. This means you compete with fewer people, which increases your chances of receiving an invitation.
Since these draws focus on specific professions, they often require a lower CRS score than general draws. This is great news for those who may not score highly due to age or other factors.
The immigration authorities may process your permanent residency application more quickly once they select you, since you're part of a priority stream. Canada wants you here—and fast!
To make use of these new healthcare-focused draws, you must:
Make sure your job title matches Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. Only certain codes are eligible under the healthcare category.
Besides Express Entry, provinces are also targeting healthcare professionals through their own programs under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). If you're working or studying in a particular province or even from abroad with relevant experience, you may receive a provincial nomination. This gives you 600 extra CRS points and almost guarantees an invitation.
If you're already working in Canada as a healthcare worker on a temporary work permit, your Canadian experience gives you an edge. Candidates with Canadian work experience under the Canadian Experience Class are often invited more quickly.
This is a promising time for healthcare professionals wanting to move to Canada. The system now recognizes the vital role you play and makes it easier for you to settle here permanently. Whether you're a nurse in the Philippines, a doctor in India, or a caregiver already working in Canada, Canada has clearly laid out paths for you.
Healthcare workers are no longer just part of the applicant pool—they are a priority. The updated Express Entry system opens a faster and more focused path to permanent residency for those in the healthcare field.
If you’ve been dreaming of building a better life in Canada, now may be the best time to take action. Update your profile, prepare your documents, and be ready—Canada is calling, and healthcare workers are at the top of the list.
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