Express Entry: Latest Draw Invites Thousands of Healthcare Workers

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 4,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system. The latest round focused on healthcare and social services professionals.

Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 467 to qualify. They also had to submit their Express Entry profile before 6:22 p.m. Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on December 9, 2025.

This round marks the third category-based selection draw this year and the tenth Express Entry draw overall in 2026. It also stands as the first healthcare-focused draw of the year.

Healthcare workers remain a priority

Canada continues to face staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, and community care settings. IRCC has responded by giving priority to healthcare and social services workers through category-based draws.

Earlier this week, on February 19, IRCC invited 391 physicians with Canadian work experience. Those candidates required a much lower CRS score of 169.

Officials have largely focused on candidates already living and working in Canada this year. Many of the invitations have gone to individuals with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations.

Recent Express Entry draws in 2026

So far this year, IRCC has held draws under several categories:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 4 draws
  
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 3 draws
  
• French-language proficiency: 1 draw
  
• Physicians with Canadian work experience: 1 draw
  
• Healthcare and social services: 1 draw
  

On February 17, IRCC invited 6,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class with a CRS cut-off of 508. On February 16, the department selected 279 Provincial Nominee Program candidates with a CRS score of 789.

Earlier in February, IRCC invited 8,500 candidates who demonstrated French-language proficiency, with a CRS cut-off of 400.

Nearly 35,000 invitations issued this year

In total, IRCC has issued 34,848 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2026 so far.

The breakdown includes:

• Canadian Experience Class: 20,000 ITAs
  
• French-language proficiency: 8,500 ITAs
  
• Healthcare and social services: 4,000 ITAs
  
• Provincial Nominee Program: 1,534 ITAs
  
• Physicians with Canadian work experience: 391 ITAs
  

The numbers show a clear focus on candidates who already contribute to Canada’s workforce. Healthcare professionals remain central to this strategy as provinces continue to report staffing gaps in essential services.

With more draws expected in the coming weeks, immigration candidates across different streams continue to monitor CRS trends closely. The latest healthcare draw signals that Canada intends to strengthen its medical and community care workforce through targeted immigration efforts.