On December 11, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted the third Express Entry draw of the month, inviting 1,000 candidates specializing in 37 Healthcare and Social Services Occupations. These candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 476, marking a 14-point increase from the previous draw on November 14, 2025. The draw applied the tie-breaking rule for profiles submitted before November 26, 2025, at 07:44:30 UTC. This draw reinforces Canada’s effort to welcome skilled healthcare professionals to meet the rising demand for essential services.
All Healthcare Express Entry Draws in 2025
Healthcare has been a highly targeted category throughout 2025. Here is a list of all healthcare draws held this year:
- December 11, 2025: 1,000 candidates invited, CRS score Cutoff: 476
- November 14, 2025: 3,500 candidates invited, CRS score Cutoff: 462
- October 15, 2025: 2,500 candidates invited, CRS score Cutoff: 472
- August 19, 2025: 2,500 candidates invited, CRS score Cutoff: 470
- July 22, 2025: 4,000 candidates invited, CRS score Cutoff: 475
- June 4, 2025: 500 candidates invited, CRS score Cutoff: 504
- May 2, 2025: 500 candidates invited, CRS score Cutoff: 510
The recent draw’s CRS cut-off of 476, while slightly higher than the previous month, remains favorable for healthcare professionals seeking permanent residency in Canada.
Eligibility for Healthcare and Social Services Occupations Category
To qualify for this category, applicants must meet specific criteria:
- Have at least 6 months of recent work experience in an eligible occupation
- Meet all requirements specified for the round
- Hold qualifying experience in Canada or abroad
These requirements ensure that candidates possess relevant experience aligned with Canada’s labor needs. Here is a list of eligible occupations for the Healthcare and Social Services category:
- Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- Audiologists and speech language pathologists
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- Chiropractors
- … (complete list of occupations)
With an increase in category-based draws and a growing frequency of healthcare draws, candidates in these occupations must maintain active and updated Express Entry profiles. While CRS scores fluctuate, the competition remains high across all targeted rounds. Canada is likely to conduct more healthcare draws to address essential labor shortages in various sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does international work experience count for the healthcare category?
Yes, candidates can qualify with international experience, provided they meet the specified criteria.
What are the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply in future healthcare draws?
Chances depend on various factors like CRS score, occupation, and the number of invitations issued in upcoming rounds. Competitive CRS scores in the range of 462 to 510 increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA.
How often has IRCC conducted healthcare draws in 2025?
As of December 11, 2025, there have been seven healthcare category Express Entry draws this year, consistently issuing invitations to address labor shortages in the sector.
