IRCC Issues 2,500 Invitations to Healthcare and Social Services Professionals in Latest Express Entry Draw
Healthcare and Social Services Remain a Top Priority
Since the beginning of 2025, the Healthcare and Social Services category under Express Entry has held five targeted draws, issuing a total of 9,792 ITAs, representing roughly 13% of all Express Entry invitations this year.
This makes it the third-largest category in 2025, following the French-language and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws.
Key details from the October 15 draw include:
- Number of healthcare draws in 2025: 5
- Total ITAs issued in this category: 9,792
- Minimum CRS score required: 472
- Profile creation deadline: May 12, 2025, 11:17 p.m. (UTC)
The continued frequency of healthcare-related draws highlights Canada’s ongoing emphasis on strengthening its healthcare and social support workforce, reflecting post-pandemic labor priorities.
2025 Express Entry Trends
As of October 15, IRCC has issued 73,183 ITAs through the Express Entry system across various categories:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|
| French-language Proficiency | 6 | 30,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 10 | 21,850 |
| Healthcare and Social Services | 5 | 9,792 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 19 | 6,947 |
| Education | 2 | 3,500 |
| Trades | 1 | 1,250 |
The data shows that French-speaking and CEC candidates remain the primary focus of Express Entry this year, while healthcare and social services hold a consistent third place, emphasizing Canada’s long-term demand for healthcare professionals and caregivers.
A Busy Month for Express Entry Draws
This healthcare draw is the fourth Express Entry draw in October, following:
- October 1: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw
- October 6: French-language category draw
- October 14: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw
IRCC’s frequent draws across different categories in a single month demonstrate its efforts to accelerate application processing and maintain balance among multiple immigration streams before year-end.
Conclusion
The 2025 Express Entry landscape reflects a sector-focused and language-prioritized strategy.
The Healthcare and Social Services category continues to be a key pillar of Canada’s immigration policy, addressing ongoing labor shortages and supporting essential public service sectors.
As the year progresses, IRCC is expected to maintain its focus on healthcare, education, and French-speaking candidates, ensuring the federal immigration targets for 2025 are successfully met.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Cut-off CRS score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15 | Healthcare and social services | 2,500 | 472 |
| Oct 14 | Provincial Nominee Program | 345 | 778 |
| Oct 6 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 432 |
| Oct 1 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Sept 29 | Provincial Nominee Program | 291 | 855 |
| Sept 18 | Trade | 1,250 | 505 |
| Sept 17 | Education | 2,500 | 462 |
| Sept 15 | Provincial Nominee Program | 228 | 746 |
| Sept 4 | French language proficiency | 4,500 | 446 |
| Sept 3 | Canadian Experience Class | 1,000 | 534 |
| Sept 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 23 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 521 |
| June 26 | 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 3 | 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 |
Northwest Territories Restores 2025 Nominee Quota to 2024 Levels, Allowing Up to 300 Nominations
The Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT) has announced that its 2025 Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) allocation has been restored to 2024 levels following federal approval. The total quota will rise to 300, up significantly from 197 earlier this year. Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment Caitlin Cleveland stated that preparations are underway for the next NTNP intake period, which will open additional pathways for skilled workers to obtain provincial nomination. This adjustment makes the NWT the first jurisdiction in 2025 to regain its pre-reduction quota, marking a key milestone in the territory’s ongoing efforts to address critical labor shortages through immigration.
10/21/2025
New Brunswick Holds Three Immigration Draws, Issues Over 500 Invitations to Apply
Between October 6 and 9, 2025, the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) held three consecutive draws, issuing invitations to apply to over 500 candidates. The draws were conducted through two main categories: the New Brunswick Express Entry stream for individuals employed in the province, and the Skilled Worker stream for those working in priority occupations. The provincial government also reminded applicants that not all applications submitted in response to these draws will be processed by the end of 2025.
10/20/2025
Ontario Issues 1,680 Invitations Targeting Healthcare, Education, and Regional Development Talent
On October 9, 2025, the Province of Ontario issued a total of 1,680 invitations through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), targeting skilled workers and international graduates. The latest draws spanned multiple Employer Job Offer streams, focusing on candidates in healthcare, early childhood education, and occupations that contribute to small community growth under the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative. This series of draws reflects Ontario’s continued effort to strengthen its workforce in essential sectors and attract skilled talent to smaller regional communities across the province.
10/17/2025
IRCC Issues 2,500 Invitations to Healthcare and Social Services Professionals in Latest Express Entry Draw
On October 15, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services category, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472 and must have created their Express Entry profile before May 12, 2025, at 11:17 p.m. UTC. This draw marks the fifth healthcare and social services category-based draw of 2025 and is the second-largest of its kind, tying with the August 19 draw and surpassed only by the July 22 draw, which invited 4,000 healthcare professionals.
10/16/2025
Canada Express Entry Latest Draw: 345 Invitations Issued to Provincial Nominee Program Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 345 invitations to apply to Provincial Nominee Program candidates through the Express Entry system on October 14, 2025. This draw required candidates to have a minimum CRS score of 778 points and to have created their Express Entry profile before July 17, 2025. This marks the 19th Provincial Nominee draw conducted by IRCC this year and the third draw in October.
10/15/2025
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Issues 862 Invitations, Focusing on Healthcare and Caregiving Sectors
On October 9, 2025, Manitoba issued invitations to apply for provincial nomination to 862 candidates through the Skilled Worker stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This draw was conducted through two main pathways: the occupation-specific Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway and the employer-driven Skilled Worker Overseas selection. Notably, this draw continued to prioritize candidates under the Temporary Public Policy (TPP), with 203 candidates also holding valid federal Express Entry profiles.
10/14/2025
Alberta Conducts Three Provincial Nominee Draws in One Week, Issuing 1,324 Invitations
Between October 1 and October 7, 2025, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held three separate provincial nomination draws, issuing a total of 1,324 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Among them, the Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) accounted for the majority, with 1,003 invitations, maintaining its lead as the province’s largest channel of nominations. The Accelerated Tech Pathway and Priority Sectors (Construction) streams, both aligned with the federal Express Entry system, targeted applicants in high-demand occupations. In addition, the Government of Alberta received an increase of 1,528 nomination spots in September, raising its total 2025 allocation to 6,403. As of October 10, the province had issued 4,228 nominations, leaving 2,175 available for the remainder of the year.
10/13/2025
Manitoba Successfully Secures Immigration Allocation Increase, Adding Nearly 1,500 Nomination Spots
Manitoba has successfully secured an increase in its 2025 immigration nomination allocation from the federal government, gaining an additional 1,489 nomination spots, bringing the province's total allocation for this year to 6,239. This adjustment will enable Manitoba to nominate more candidates to obtain permanent residence and settle in the province before the end of 2025. This allocation increase represents a partial recovery following the significant reduction in provincial nominee program allocations nationwide at the beginning of 2025.
10/11/2025
British Columbia Receives Additional 1,254 Provincial Nominee Allocations, Will Process Backlogged International Post-Graduate Applications
The Government of British Columbia announced on October 2, 2025, that the province's Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has received an additional 1,254 nomination allocations from the federal government. This brings British Columbia's total allocation for 2025 from 4,000 to 5,254. The provincial government stated that it will prioritize using these additional allocations to process backlogged International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream applications from 2024, while continuing to focus on attracting healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and high economic impact candidates.
10/10/2025
IRCC Announces 2025 Permanent Residence Application Processing Plan
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently disclosed its 2025 permanent residence (PR) application processing plan in its latest Minister Transition Binder. According to the document, the immigration department will not clear all categories of application backlogs this year, but will instead adopt a categorized processing strategy. Express Entry-related programs, community pilot programs, and Quebec's skilled worker pathways will process all pending applications, while other economic immigration programs will only process a portion of their backlogs, with processing ratios ranging from 2% to 35%.
10/09/2025
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