Healthcare Express Entry Draw Returns After Four Months With 4,000 ITAs

Canada has reopened a major Express Entry pathway for healthcare workers after more than four months, with IRCC issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a new Healthcare and Social Services draw on June 25, 2026.

The new draw on June 25, 2026 issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply and set a CRS cutoff of 475, giving nurses, pharmacists, social workers, therapists and other in-demand professionals another chance at permanent residence.

Key Results From the June 25, 2026 Draw

Candidates with a CRS score of 475 or higher were eligible for selection, subject to the tie-breaking rule. The draw was one of the largest healthcare-focused rounds conducted under category-based selection and came shortly after a Canadian Experience Class draw that required a significantly higher CRS score.

For healthcare workers in the Express Entry pool, the 475 cutoff created a more accessible pathway to permanent residence than many recent Express Entry rounds.

Why This Healthcare Draw Matters

Express Entry is Canada's main skilled immigration system. Category-based draws let IRCC target occupations facing labour shortages, and healthcare remains one of the most urgent.

In speaking notes released on February 27, 2026, Lena Metlege Diab said IRCC would "continue to hold invitation rounds" for candidates with work experience in healthcare and social services.

Want to explore other permanent residence options? Learn more about Express Entry and Canada's immigration pathways.

Who Is Eligible?

The healthcare category includes a total of 37 occupations:

Category	Eligible Occupations
Physicians and Medical Specialists	General practitioners and family physicians; Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine; Specialists in surgery
Dental and Vision Care	Dentists; Optometrists; Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Nursing Occupations	Nursing coordinators and supervisors; Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses; Nurse practitioners; Licensed practical nurses; Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
Pharmacy Occupations	Pharmacists; Pharmacy technicians; Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
Rehabilitation and Therapy Professionals	Physiotherapists; Occupational therapists; Audiologists and speech-language pathologists; Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies; Massage therapists; Chiropractors
Mental Health and Social Services	Psychologists; Social workers; Social and community service workers
Physicians' Support and Allied Health Professionals	Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals; Dietitians and nutritionists; Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists; Paramedical occupations; Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
Medical Laboratory and Diagnostic Occupations	Medical laboratory technologists; Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations; Medical radiation technologists; Medical sonographers; Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists; Other medical technologists and technicians; Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
Veterinary and Animal Health Occupations	Veterinarians; Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

To qualify, candidates generally need an active Express Entry profile and at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience, in a single eligible healthcare occupation within the past three years. The experience does not need to be continuous and may be gained in Canada or abroad.

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What Invited Candidates Should Do Next

Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Those still in the pool should:

Update language test results and work history
Check whether their job matches an eligible NOC code
Review provincial licensing rules early
Look at Provincial Nominee Programs for healthcare workers

Important Licensing Requirements

A healthcare ITA can speed up permanent residence, but it does not replace professional licensing. Foreign-trained workers still need to meet provincial regulator requirements before they can practise in Canada.

Licensing requirements vary by province and occupation. Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and many other regulated professionals must obtain approval from their provincial regulatory body before they can work independently in Canada.

Starting the licensing process early can help newcomers avoid delays after receiving permanent residence.

Why It Matters For Newcomers

The June 25 draw shows that healthcare remains a priority under Express Entry. With 4,000 ITAs issued and a CRS cutoff of 475, healthcare workers continue to benefit from category-based selection.

Candidates who were not invited should keep their Express Entry profiles updated. The June 25 draw suggests healthcare remains one of IRCC's priority categories under Express Entry to address labour shortages across Canada.