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    Record-Low CRS in IRCC’s Latest Healthcare-Focused Express Entry Draw

    Canada has once again placed the spotlight on healthcare talent through a dedicated Express Entry round held on 14 November 2025. The latest draw brought encouraging news for international health professionals, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued thousands of invitations while also setting the lowest CRS threshold for this category in 2025.

    This latest draw marks the second CEC-specific round in just two weeks, reflecting a renewed emphasis on granting permanent residence to skilled workers already living and working in Canada.

    Results: Rounds of invitations

    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.

    October 14 Express Entry Draw Results

    According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the applicants required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) level of 778 or above for them to be invited during this particular draw. It was the applicants who had created their Express Entry profile before the time of July 17, 2025, 7:58 p.m. UTC.

    This was the 19th PNP-centric draw of the year 2025, testifying to the program’s dominant position in the overall immigration strategy of Canada. And, the third Express Entry draw of the month, after the October 1st and October 6th draws.

    Total Express Entry ITAs for 2025

    Following the latest draw, the total of ITAs issued under Express Entry for 2025 has come to 86,699.

    Collectively, the total depicts the continuous pattern towards Canada’s aggressive immigration targets and strategy to prioritize human capital and even labour market requirements for selected sectors.

    Category-Based Draws for 2025 up to Now

    Express Entry for 2025 has seen draws in several of its higher-priority streams. Draw breakdown is below:

    The draws are now divided as follows:

    When looking at total ITAs issued across streams, French-language draws and CEC rounds lead the pack, followed closely by healthcare and PNP streams.

    Healthcare-Specific Rounds in 2025

    The August 19 draw was the latest in a series of healthcare draws this year. Earlier rounds were:

    By announcing progressively larger rounds of draws for health care and social work, Canada is ensuring its commitment to meet the critical gaps in employees at hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.

    Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2025

    Below is a snapshot of all Express Entry draws conducted so far this year:
    Draw Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
    379 November 14 Healthcare and social services 3,500 462
    378 November 12 CEC 1,000 533
    377 November 10 PNP 714 738
    376 October 29 French-Speaking Candidates 6,000 416
    375 October 28 Canadian Experience Class 1,000 533
    374 October 27 Provincial Nominee Program 302 761
    373 October 15 Healthcare Professionals 2,500 472
    372 October 14 PNP 345 778
    371 October 06 French language proficiency 4,500 432
    370 October 01 CEC 1,000 534
    369 September 29 PNP 291 855
    368 September 18 Trade occupations 1,250 505
    367 September 17 Education occupations 2,500 462
    366 September 15 PNP 228 746
    365 September 04 French language proficiency 4,500 446
    364 September 03 CEC 1,000 534
    363 September 02 PNP 249 772
    362 August 19 Healthcare and social services 2,500 470
    361 August 18 PNP 192 800
    360 August 08 French language proficiency 2,500 481
    359 August 07 CEC 1,000 534
    358 August 06 PNP 225 739
    357 July 22 Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2) 4,000 475
    356 July 21 PNP 202 788
    355 July 08 CEC 3,000 518
    354 July 07 PNP 356 750
    353 June 26 CEC 3,000 521
    352 June 23 PNP 503 742
    351 June 12 CEC 3,000 529
    350 June 10 Provincial Nominee Program 125 784
    349 June 04 Healthcare and social services 500 504
    348 June 02 PNP 277 726
    347 May 13 CEC 500 547
    346 May 12 PNP 511 706
    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

    As of November 14, a total of 86,699 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system in 2025.

    Express Entry Draw Reports

    Number of Express Entry Draws by Category This Year:

    The Provincial Nominee Program category of the Express Entry categories leads the trend with the highest number of 14 rounds, followed by the Canadian Experience Class with 8 rounds. Also, IRCC has conducted 3 rounds each for French-speaking candidates and healthcare professionals. A single draw was also held for individuals in the education sector.

    Draw Type Number of Draws
    Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 14
    Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 8
    French-language proficiency 4
    Healthcare and social services 3
    Education 1

    The trend since June 10, 2025, reveals a pattern of alternating draws between PNP and CEC categories roughly every two weeks. Additionally, healthcare-focused draws have taken place monthly since May, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to addressing sector-specific shortages in Canada’s healthcare system.

    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

    CEC and Category-Based Draws: A Strategic Trend

    The November draw is the second of the month and follows a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on November 10, a French language proficiency draw on October 29, and the previous CEC draw on October 28.
    So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 83,199 invitations to apply through the Express Entry system. With two consecutive CEC draws in such a short span, Canada is likely emphasizing pathways for candidates who already have Canadian credentials and work experience, a move that supports faster settlement and labour market integration.

    What This Means for Future Applicants

    For aspiring immigrants, the latest French-language draw reinforces the value of language proficiency as a major advantage in the Express Entry pool. Candidates fluent in both English and French not only receive additional CRS points but also enjoy better chances of selection in future category-based draws.
    Those currently preparing their Express Entry profiles are encouraged to:

    Implications for Future Healthcare Candidates

    The lower cut-off and large number of invitations indicate that IRCC may continue favoring healthcare profiles into 2026. Applicants in fields such as nursing, personal support, laboratory sciences, therapy, and community care may see increased chances as Canada strengthens its workforce in essential sectors.

    As Canada prepares for the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, these category-based draws will likely remain central to its strategy, ensuring that immigration continues to support both economic growth and community development across the country.

    Stay tuned for future updates on Express Entry draws and immigration news.

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