OTTAWA INVITED 3,500 HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE NEW EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW
Canada Expands Targeted Invitations for Healthcare Professionals
Canada continues to prioritize the healthcare sector through targeted immigration measures, as confirmed by the latest Express Entry draw held on November 14, 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its sixth occupation-specific draw of the year, focusing exclusively on candidates working in healthcare and social services.
In this new round, IRCC issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)—one of the largest healthcare-specific draws of 2025—underscoring the country’s ongoing need for nurses, physicians, therapists, social workers, and other essential professionals. As Canada faces rising healthcare demands due to an aging population and workforce shortages, immigration remains a vital tool to stabilize and expand the sector.
Key Details From Express Entry Draw #379
The November 14th draw reflects IRCC’s continued commitment to selecting qualified healthcare professionals through occupation-based rounds.
Results of Express Entry Round #379
Invitations issued: 3,500
CRS cut-off score: 462
Score movement: 10 points lower than the previous healthcare-targeted draw
Tie-breaking rule: December 02, 2024 at 22:19:41 UTC
Total ITAs in 2025: 86,699 across 49 draws
Total healthcare/social services ITAs: 13,500
This decrease in the cut-off score signals greater accessibility for qualified candidates in healthcare-aligned occupations—particularly those with strong language skills, Canadian experience, or provincial ties.
Why Healthcare and Social Services Are a National Priority
Healthcare remains one of the sectors with the most persistent workforce shortages across Canada. Provinces continue to report critical gaps in:
Nursing and patient care
Family medicine and specialist physicians
Mental health services
Home care and long-term care
Rehabilitation and therapy professions
Social work and community support services
These shortages have been amplified by:
An aging population
Post-pandemic system pressure
Increasing demand for specialized care
Retirements among experienced professionals
By focusing on healthcare through targeted draws, IRCC is ensuring faster pathways to permanent residency for workers who are essential to maintaining the stability and capacity of Canada’s public health system.
What This Draw Means for Prospective Immigrants
This Express Entry round confirms several important trends for healthcare candidates:
1. Lower CRS Thresholds Offer More Opportunities
With the cut-off score dropping to 462, more internationally trained professionals may now qualify.
2. Healthcare-Specific Draws Are Increasing in Frequency
This is the sixth such round of 2025, demonstrating ongoing prioritization.
3. More ITAs Issued for Healthcare Than Ever Before
With 13,500 invitations for healthcare and social services professionals in 2025, Canada is continuing to widen access to permanent residency for these fields.
4. Occupation-Based Selection Is Here to Stay
IRCC’s new focus on targeted draws means candidates in priority sectors will continue to see enhanced opportunities.
A Strong Signal for Healthcare Professionals Worldwide
The November 14th Express Entry draw reiterates Canada’s commitment to strengthening its healthcare system by inviting qualified professionals from around the world. With more than 3,500 invitations issued in this round alone—and a record number of healthcare ITAs in 2025—Canada remains one of the most accessible and welcoming destinations for medical and social services workers seeking permanent residency.
If you work in healthcare and want to immigrate to Canada, Global Opportunities can help you assess your eligibility, improve your CRS score, and prepare your application for upcoming occupation-specific draws.