Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held another targeted Express Entry draw, and this one is good news for anyone working in health or care. On June 25, 2026, the department issued 4,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services category, with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut off of 475. It was the 34th Express Entry selection round of the year and only the second healthcare draw of 2026, so the competition for these invitations was meaningful and the result is worth understanding.
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Book Your ConsultationTo be invited in this round, candidates needed a CRS score of at least 475 and an Express Entry profile created before 12:14 p.m. UTC on May 21, 2026. The 4,000 ITAs brought the healthcare and social services total for the year to 8,000 across two draws. Across all of 2026 so far, IRCC has issued more than 89,000 invitations, with most rounds focused on people already contributing to Canada through Canadian work experience or a provincial nomination. Category based draws like this one let the department invite candidates by occupation rather than by score alone, which is exactly why they create opportunities that general draws do not.
The cut off of 475 is far lower than the scores seen in many provincial and all program rounds this year. That is the quiet advantage of a category draw: the department selects from a smaller, focused pool, so a profile that would never clear a general round can still receive an invitation when the right category opens. If you have a background in nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, therapy, or social services, your occupation may put you in a stronger position than your raw CRS score suggests. The key is making sure your profile is built correctly and your occupation is coded accurately, because a single error can keep you out of the very category that would invite you.
The healthcare and social services category covers a wide range of roles, including registered nurses, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, care aides, and many community and social service workers. Eligibility depends on having qualifying work experience in an eligible occupation, along with the language, education, and other factors that make up your CRS score. If you are not sure whether your job is on the list, or whether your experience counts, that is a question worth answering before the next draw rather than after it. Positioning your profile now, while category draws are active, is how candidates turn a single round like this into a real pathway to permanent residence.
If you work in health or care and you are wondering whether this draw could be your route to Canada, do not leave it to guesswork. As a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB), Alisa Osipovich will review your profile, confirm whether your occupation fits the healthcare and social services category, and give you one clear written plan for your next move toward permanent residence.
The cut off was 475. Candidates also needed an Express Entry profile created before 12:14 p.m. UTC on May 21, 2026 to be considered. IRCC issued 4,000 invitations in this round.
The category covers many roles, such as nurses, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, care aides, and various social service workers. Eligibility depends on your specific occupation code and qualifying work experience, so it is worth confirming your job is on the current list.
Quite possibly. Category based and provincial draws often invite lower scores than general rounds, and there are proven ways to raise your CRS score over time. A consultation can show you which pathway and which improvements make the most sense for your profile.
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