OTTAWA INVITED 4,000 HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND SOCIAL WORKERS THROUGH EXPRESS ENTRY
Ottawa Concludes Unprecedented Four-Day Sorteo Streak with Massive Healthcare Draw
Capping off an intense, consecutive four-day run of immigration selections, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its second category-based selection round of the year for medical and care professionals. Express Entry Draw #422 targeted candidates working across critical health and social services sectors, demonstrating Ottawa's aggressive mid-year push to shore up provincial public care systems and transition localized talent into long-term Canadian permanent residents.
Express Entry Draw #422 At a Glance
The administrative parameters published by federal immigration authorities showcase a robust invitation volume that matches historic category records:
Draw Date & Number: Conducted on June 25, 2026 (Round #422).
Program Limitation: Restricted exclusively to Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (2026-Version 3).
Invitations Issued: A massive 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were granted, effectively tying the all-time record for the largest healthcare round in Express Entry history.
CRS Cut-Off Score: Settled at 475 points—marking an 8-point increase compared to the last targeted round for this category back in February.
Tie-Breaking Rule: Programmed for May 21, 2026, at 12:14:09 UTC. Candidates with exactly 475 points only received an invitation if their profiles were registered before this timestamp.
Running 2026 Totals: This 34th draw of the fiscal year pushes Canada's total yearly volume to 89,067 invitations issued. Just prior to this round, the active registry contained 239,645 profiles.
Category-Based Draws Keep Priority Status Accessible
The 475 cut-off score highlights the immense competitive advantage that category-based pathways continue to provide. Compared to the general Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw held earlier the same week—which demanded a steep 516 points—healthcare workers and social servants enjoyed a 41-point buffer, making permanent residency viable for high-demand profiles that lack extensive Canadian experience or flawless language metrics.
Broad Occupational Inclusivity: This category extends far beyond doctors and nurses. The underlying 37 qualifying professions encompass crucial allied health roles, including social workers, pharmacists, medical lab technologists, dental hygienists, and occupational therapists. This wide net allows regional clinics and hospitals to directly retain foundational support staff.
Because this round followed a long four-month gap since the prior February healthcare draw, pool density naturally increased, causing the slight 8-point creep in the cut-off score. However, with IRCC prioritizing sector-specific talent to combat nationwide hospital shortages, this 4,000-ITA injection provides massive stability to regional workforces. The flurry of consecutive draws this week signals that federal authorities are moving purposefully to secure their target quotas before entering the late summer processing cycle.
Strict 60-Day Clock Begins for Healthcare Invitees
For the 4,000 newly invited health and social workers, the priority shifts immediately to fast-tracked document gathering. Given the demanding nature of public care schedules, applicants must move swiftly to secure specialized employment references, international police clearances, and clean medical examinations before their 60-day deadline lapses.
Did you receive an ITA in this massive healthcare round, or are you looking to align your professional profile for the next targeted draw? At Global Opportunities, we specialize in the meticulous document preparation required for high-stakes healthcare streams. We ensure your daily duties perfectly align with qualifying National Occupational Classification (NOC) descriptions, verify your structural work experience windows, and manage your complete permanent residency profile to ensure an error-free submission. Contact us today to secure your Canadian immigration journey!