Ottawa, August 19, 2025 – Canada has conducted its latest targeted Express Entry draw, focusing on healthcare and social services occupations. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in this round, known officially as Express Entry Draw #362.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 470, with a tie-breaking rule applied to profiles submitted before April 23, 2025, at 20:08:53 UTC.
This was the second version of the Healthcare and Social Services Occupations category, reflecting Canada’s ongoing priority to address critical labor shortages in the healthcare sector.
Draw Highlights
- Draw number: #362
- Date: August 19, 2025
- Program: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (Version 2)
- Invitations issued: 2,500
- Lowest CRS score: 470
- Tie-breaking rule: April 23, 2025 at 20:08:53 UTC
- Eligible streams: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Why This Draw Matters
Canada has been consistently targeting healthcare professionals under Express Entry since 2023. The demand for skilled healthcare workers has only intensified, especially in the wake of aging demographics, post-pandemic hospital backlogs, and shortages in long-term care and social support services.
In 2024, healthcare accounted for nearly 20% of all targeted category-based invitations. In 2025, the proportion has risen even further, as IRCC continues to align immigration with labor market gaps.
This draw shows Canada’s determination to attract nurses, physicians, social workers, and other essential healthcare professionals at competitive CRS scores, providing more accessible permanent residence pathways.
Occupations Eligible Under This Draw
A total of 37 occupations were eligible for Express Entry Draw #362 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These include a wide range of healthcare professionals and social service workers. Some key occupations are:
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102)
- Social and community service workers (NOC 42201)
- Social workers (NOC 41300)
- General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)
- Dentists (NOC 31110)
- Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
- Physiotherapists (NOC 31202)
- Psychologists (NOC 31200)
- Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120)
- Medical sonographers (NOC 32122)
- Optometrists (NOC 31111)
- Veterinarians (NOC 31103)
In total, the list spans doctors, nurses, therapists, allied health workers, laboratory technologists, and social service professionals.
Eligibility Requirements for This Category
To qualify for this round of invitations, candidates needed to meet the following criteria:
- Work experience: At least six months of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in one of the eligible occupations within the last three years.
- Duties performed: The work must align with the NOC lead statement and a substantial number of the main duties, including all essential duties.
- Express Entry profile: A valid Express Entry profile in the pool.
- CRS score: Equal to or above 470, unless tied and ranked lower.
Historical Context of Healthcare Draws
Healthcare-specific Express Entry draws began under IRCC’s Category-Based Selection system in June 2023. Since then, they have become one of the most frequent targeted categories.
- 2023: IRCC invited over 12,000 healthcare workers through dedicated draws. CRS cutoffs ranged between 431 and 476, depending on the round.
- 2024: Canada invited nearly 20,000 candidates in healthcare draws, marking a significant policy shift. CRS scores stabilized between 440 and 480.
- 2025 (so far): Before this draw, IRCC had already issued over 15,000 ITAs in healthcare and social service draws. Draw #362 adds another 2,500, pushing the total even higher.
Comparison With Recent Draws in 2025
- July 30, 2025 (#360): 2,500 invitations were issued for French language proficiency with a CRS cutoff of 481.
- July 15, 2025 (#359): A STEM-targeted draw issued 3,000 ITAs with a CRS cutoff of 491.
- June 25, 2025 (#358): Healthcare occupations (Version 1) invited 1,800 candidates with a CRS cutoff of 468.
Compared to these, Draw #362 offered more invitations (2,500) than the June healthcare draw, while keeping the CRS cutoff close at 470.
CRS Score Trends
CRS scores for category-based draws tend to be lower than general draws. This makes them appealing to mid-level candidates who may not compete in all-program rounds.
- General draws in 2025 have cutoffs in the 490–505 range.
- Healthcare draws in 2025 average between 465–475, giving healthcare workers a significant advantage.
- Social service occupations, newly included in Version 2 of this category, benefit from this adjustment.
This latest draw confirms IRCC’s commitment to keeping healthcare-related CRS thresholds below general rounds, reflecting urgent labor needs.
Labor Market Impact
Canada’s healthcare system faces well-documented challenges:
- Vacancy rates: Over 150,000 healthcare job vacancies were recorded in late 2024, especially in nursing, long-term care, and community services.
- Aging population: By 2030, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be over 65, increasing demand for healthcare and social support.
- Immigration strategy: IRCC projects that immigration will account for 30% of healthcare labor force growth by 2035.
Targeted immigration rounds like Draw #362 are critical to filling these gaps.
Candidate Implications
For candidates in the Express Entry pool with healthcare or social services experience, this draw offers:
- Higher chances of selection at mid-CRS levels (470 cutoff vs. 490+ in general draws).
- Faster PR pathways for nurses, doctors, social workers, and other listed professions.
- Predictability, as healthcare draws are now a recurring IRCC strategy.
Those with scores close to 470 should keep profiles updated and prepare documents promptly, as tie-breaking rules often come into play.
Expert Analysis
Immigration experts note that Canada’s move toward category-based draws reflects a permanent policy shift. Healthcare and social services will remain top categories for years to come.
- Candidates with work experience abroad in healthcare should consider upgrading their CRS with additional points (French language, provincial nomination, Canadian education).
- Those already in Canada on work permits in healthcare (e.g., international nurses or PSWs) have the strongest advantage.
Conclusion
Express Entry Draw #362 reinforces Canada’s immigration priorities. With 2,500 ITAs issued and a CRS cutoff of 470, it continues to favor healthcare and social service workers who are essential to Canada’s future labor market stability.
Healthcare-specific Express Entry rounds have become one of the most important immigration pathways, offering mid-CRS candidates a real chance at permanent residence.
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