Canada has conducted a new Express Entry draw targeted at healthcare and social services occupations, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on December 11, 2025. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this round was 476, reflecting a 14-point increase compared to the previous healthcare and social services draw held on November 14, 2025, which issued 3,500 ITAs.
This draw highlights Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) continued focus on addressing labour shortages in Canada’s healthcare system and essential social services sectors.
Express Entry Healthcare Draw – Key Details
- Draw date: December 11, 2025
- Program: Express Entry – Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
- ITAs issued: 1,000
- Minimum CRS score: 476
- Tie-breaking rule: November 26, 2025 at 3:44 a.m. EST
- Draw number: 385 overall, 55th draw of 2025
Candidates with the minimum CRS score were only invited if they submitted their Express Entry profile before the tie-breaking date and time.
Occupations Targeted in the Healthcare and Social Services Draw
This Express Entry category-based draw targeted a wide range of high-demand healthcare and social services professions, including:
- Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 32104)
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (31112)
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
- Chiropractors (31201)
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
- Dentists (31110)
- Dieticians and nutritionists (31121)
- General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
- Licensed practical nurses (32101)
- Massage therapists (32201)
- Medical laboratory assistants (33101)
- Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
- Medical radiation technologists (32121)
- Medical sonographers (32122)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (33102)
- Nurse practitioners (31302)
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors (31300)
- Occupational therapists (31203)
- Optometrists (31111)
- Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
- Paramedical occupations (32102)
- Pharmacists (31120)
- Pharmacy technicians and assistants (32124, 33103)
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals (31303)
- Physiotherapists (31202)
- Psychologists (31200)
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
- Respiratory therapists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
- Social and community service workers (42201)
- Social workers (41300)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
- Specialists in surgery (31101)
- Therapists in counselling and related therapies (41301)
- Veterinarians (31103)
These occupations remain critical to Canada’s long-term healthcare capacity and population needs.
Comparison With Recent Express Entry Draws
The most recent draw before December 11 targeted Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. On December 10, 2025, IRCC issued 6,000 ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 520, making it one of the largest CEC draws in recent months.
The contrast between CRS cut-offs shows how category-based draws can significantly improve chances for candidates in priority occupations.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2025
So far in 2025, IRCC has conducted the following Express Entry draws:
- 23 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws
- 14 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws
- 8 French-language proficiency draws
- 7 healthcare and social services draws
- 2 education occupation draws
- 1 trades occupation draw
As of December 11, Canada has issued 102,099 ITAs through Express Entry in 2025, exceeding the 98,903 ITAs issued in 2024.
Express Entry Draw History: Previous Years
IRCC’s Express Entry activity over recent years shows consistently high invitation volumes:
- 2024: 98,903 ITAs issued
- 2023: 110,266 ITAs issued
- 2022: 45,115 ITAs issued
- 2021: 114,431 ITAs issued (record year)
- 2020: 107,350 ITAs issued
The 2021 total remains the highest on record, driven almost entirely by CEC and PNP candidates.
Application Processing Timeline
Candidates invited under this healthcare and social services draw have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Most applications are processed within IRCC’s six-month service standard, provided all documentation is accurate and complete.
What Can Employers Do to Recruit Foreign Healthcare Workers?
Canadian employers facing workforce shortages are encouraged to explore:
- Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs)
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- Employer-supported Express Entry strategies
At immigration.ca, employers receive comprehensive immigration legal services designed to support the recruitment and long-term retention of foreign workers across healthcare, social services, and other key industries.
What Should Candidates Do Next?
For healthcare and social services professionals, securing an approved job offer remains one of the most effective ways to strengthen an Express Entry profile and improve chances of receiving an ITA.
Recommended next steps include:
- Keeping your Express Entry profile updated
- Monitoring CRS score trends closely
- Exploring PNP options aligned with your occupation
- Seeking professional immigration guidance
Candidates can assess their eligibility by completing a free online immigration evaluation, with results typically provided within 1–2 business days.
Final Thoughts
The December 11, 2025 Express Entry healthcare and social services draw, issuing 1,000 ITAs with a CRS cut-off of 476, reinforces Canada’s commitment to prioritizing essential healthcare and social care professionals. While the CRS score increased compared to the previous draw, category-based selection continues to provide strong opportunities for qualified candidates.
Staying informed, proactive, and strategically prepared remains the key to success in Canada’s evolving Express Entry system.
