India's No.1 Award Winning Immigration Firm
Check your eligibity in 5 min. (Free): +91 88 85 85 85 15
Email Us: info@universaladviser.com
Canada News
Site Logo

First Healthcare and Social Services Express Entry Draw of 2025

Canada Conducts First Healthcare and Social Services Express Entry Draw

    Get in Touch

    CRS Cut-Off Hits Record High for Sector-Specific Selection

    In a strategic move to address labour shortages in key sectors, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through its first healthcare and social services-focused Express Entry draw of the year. The draw, held on May 2, marked the latest step in Canada’s evolving immigration priorities for 2025.
    To qualify for this round, candidates must meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 510, the highest ever recorded for a healthcare-related draw. Eligible profiles must have been submitted before 4:31 a.m. UTC on July 21, 2024.
    This latest draw reflects the Canadian government’s expanding focus on targeted category-based immigration streams, particularly after the IRCC broadened the scope of eligible occupations within the healthcare and social services category earlier this year.
    Check your Eligibility for Express Entry
    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    • Number of ITAs: 500
    • Date and time of round: May 02, 2025 at 16:14:46 UTC
    • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 479
    • Tie-breaking rule: July 21, 2024 at 04:31:17 UTC

    If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

    Invitations to apply to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program may be issued through this round of invitations.

    Apply for Canada PR Visa

    New Focus on Critical Sectors

    This week’s healthcare draw follows a historic education-focused selection round on May 1, the first of its kind since the Express Entry system was launched in 2015. With ongoing demographic shifts and a growing need for skilled professionals across public service sectors, the IRCC appears to be aligning immigration priorities more closely with labour market demands.

    The May 2 draw also represents a significant pivot from earlier draws this year that leaned heavily on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates and those with French language proficiency. Including social services roles, such as counsellors, social workers, and early childhood educators, into the healthcare draw category underlines Canada’s recognition of the broad infrastructure needed to support public well-being.

    Breakdown of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Canada has maintained an active immigration strategy throughout 2025, with multiple Express Entry draws conducted across different categories. Below is a summary of the draws held so far:

    Additionally, Provincial Nominee Program candidates may receive an “enhanced nomination” through Express Entry, amplifying their CRS scores and improving their chances of selection.

    Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates with provincial nominations receive 600 additional CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.

    Summary Of Express Entry Draws In 2025

    So far in 2025, IRCC has conducted a total of 14 draws, issuing 33,429 ITAs across multiple categories. The draw breakdown reflects a deliberate shift toward category-based selections, including targeted rounds for healthcare, education, and language proficiency. Here’s a detailed summary of all Express Entry draws conducted in 2025 to date:

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) : 9,350
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) : 4079
    • French language proficiency: 18,500
    • Education Professionals 1,000
    • Healthcare and social services occupations 500
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    345 May 02 Healthcare and social Services Occupations 500 510
    344 May 01 Education Professionals 1,000 479
    343 April 28 PNP 421 727
    342 April 14 PNP 825 764
    341 March 21 French language 7,500 379
    340 March 17 PNP 536 736
    339 March 06 French language 4,500 410
    338 March 03 PNP 725 667
    337 February 19 French language 6,500 428
    336 February 17 PNP 646 750
    335 February 05 CEC 4,000 521
    334 February 04 PNP 455 802
    333 January 23 CEC 4,000 527
    332 January 8 CEC 1,350 542
    331 January 7 PNP 471 793

    The May draw follows a significant policy update: the removal of CRS points for arranged employment, which may have impacted candidate scores across the board.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Current Express Entry Trends and Category Breakdown

    With the latest draw, the healthcare and social services category now joins a growing list of specialized selection categories implemented this year. The distribution of draws in 2025 highlights a more nuanced approach to selecting candidates who meet Canada’s urgent labour and demographic needs.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program 7
    French-language proficiency 3
    Canadian Experience Class 3
    Education 1
    Healthcare and social services 1

    Processing Timelines and Profile Validity

    The Express Entry system continues to be one of the fastest immigration pathways for skilled workers. Once a candidate receives an ITA and submits a complete application, IRCC aims to finalize the permanent residence process within six months.

    Express Entry profiles remain active for 12 months. If an applicant does not receive an invitation during that time, they may re-enter the pool, provided they still meet eligibility requirements.

    While PNP candidates enjoy tailored pathways through provincial selection, they often face longer wait times due to the dual-approval nature of the process. In contrast, Express Entry applications, especially those in federal high-demand streams, are typically processed more efficiently.

    What This Means for Future Applicants

    This healthcare draw not only illustrates the Canadian government’s responsiveness to sectoral needs but also raises the bar for prospective immigrants in these fields. With a CRS cut-off of 510, candidates will need to ensure strong qualifications, experience, and language skills to remain competitive.

    Looking ahead, more draws are expected in healthcare, education, and language-based categories. Applicants are encouraged to maintain up-to-date profiles and monitor draw trends closely to seize upcoming opportunities.

    Final Thoughts

    The evolving structure of Express Entry in 2025 points to a more deliberate, data-driven approach by IRCC. By fine-tuning selection rounds to specific labour market gaps, Canada is strategically positioning itself to meet both economic and demographic challenges through immigration.
    As the year progresses, stakeholders and prospective immigrants alike will be watching closely to see which sectors gain further priority and how the CRS thresholds shift across categories.

    Is it Worth Moving to Canada in 2025?

    Take a free online profile assessment with Universal Adviser

    Recent News

    Related News

    Website-Pop-UpPOP UP New