Express Entry Draw #422: 4,000 ITAs at CRS 475 June 2026

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Canada's immigration minister Lena Metlege Diab signed off on Express Entry Draw #422 on June 25, 2026. The draw was category-based, targeting candidates with experience in healthcare and social services. A total of 4,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence went out to the top-ranked candidates in that category pool.

The minimum CRS score accepted was 475. If two or more candidates tied at that score, the one who submitted their Express Entry profile earliest got the invitation. The tie-breaking cutoff was May 21, 2026 at 12:14:09 UTC.

This is the third version of the Healthcare and Social Services category draw held in 2026, showing that IRCC continues to use category-based selection to address specific labour shortages, particularly in healthcare. You can check all past and upcoming draw results on the official IRCC immigration services page.

What Happened, Explained Simply

Express Entry Draw #422 was a category-based draw. That means IRCC did not invite candidates from the general pool. Instead, they looked only at candidates who had at least one year of full-time work experience in a healthcare or social services occupation within the past three years.

Category-based draws exist because Canada wants to directly target people with skills that the labour market is short on. Healthcare is one of the most persistent shortage areas in Canada, especially after significant strain on the health system in recent years. By running a dedicated healthcare draw, IRCC ensures these workers move to the front of the line, regardless of whether their overall CRS score would have been competitive in a general draw.

The cutoff of 475 is notably lower than what you would typically see in an all-program draw. General draws have frequently required scores above 500. A 475 cutoff reflects the fact that the pool was limited to healthcare workers, many of whom may not have top-tier language scores or Canadian work experience, but whose occupational skills are in high demand.

To be eligible for this draw, you had to meet three conditions. First, within the previous three years, you must have worked at least one full year in one of the 37 qualifying NOC unit groups. Second, during that work you must have performed the actions in the lead statement for your occupation under the National Occupational Classification system. Third, you must have performed a substantial number of the main duties for your role, including all essential duties.

Invitations in this draw could go to candidates across three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). So whether you built your eligibility through overseas experience or Canadian work history, you could have received an ITA from this draw, as long as you had the right occupation and cleared 475 points.

If your CRS score was 475 or above, and you had an active Express Entry profile in the healthcare category pool before May 21, 2026 at 12:14:09 UTC, you may have received an invitation today.

Which Occupations Qualified for Draw #422

This draw covered 37 NOC unit groups spanning a wide range of healthcare and social services roles. The list includes doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, but it also extends to many allied health and support roles that are equally in demand.

Here is a breakdown of the occupations included, grouped broadly by type:

The full list of 37 occupations also includes audiologists, speech-language pathologists, cardiology technologists, chiropractors, dietitians, massage therapists, medical radiation technologists, medical sonographers, nurse aides, pharmacy technicians, respiratory therapists, and therapists in counselling. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 32104) are also on the list, which shows that the category extends beyond human medicine into allied animal health roles.

Note one important restriction: unauthorized work in Canada does not count toward the one-year experience requirement. Only legitimate, authorized work periods are included in the calculation.

What Does a CRS Score of 475 Mean?

A score of 475 is achievable for many mid-career healthcare professionals. It does not require perfect language scores or a Canadian job offer. Here is a sample profile that could reach 475 or above:

This sample profile has no job offer and no Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination. It gets to 484 on core human capital factors alone. That is above the 475 cutoff in today's draw.

If you are slightly younger (say, 25 to 30), have strong English or French scores, and have at least one year of Canadian work experience in a qualifying healthcare role, you are likely in the competitive range for future healthcare draws. Even without Canadian experience, a strong language score and a master's degree can push a profile well past 475.

If your score sits between 450 and 474, you are not far off. Adding points through a second language, improving a CLB band in one skill, or gaining Canadian work experience could close that gap. IRCC has run multiple healthcare draws in 2026, and they may continue to do so. Each new draw resets the pool, so improving your score before the next draw matters.

What This Means For You

If your CRS score is 475 or above and you work in one of the 37 qualifying healthcare occupations, check your IRCC secure account right now. ITAs are delivered there, not by email. You have exactly 60 days from the date the invitation was issued to submit a complete permanent residence application. That deadline does not move.

If your score is close to 475, say between 460 and 474, do not treat this draw as a final answer. Healthcare category draws have happened multiple times in 2026. The cutoff can shift between draws depending on how many candidates are in the pool and how many invitations IRCC decides to issue. A small CRS boost from retaking a language test or gaining additional Canadian work experience could put you above the line for the next round.

If you are well below 475, focus on the structural improvements first. Boosting your CLB score from 7 to 9 in all four skills adds significant points. Completing a one-year Canadian credential can add education points. And if your province has a stream that aligns with your occupation, a PNP nomination adds 600 points instantly, making your score effectively irrelevant for a general draw.

If you are not in one of the 37 qualifying occupations, this specific draw did not apply to you. But IRCC also runs general all-program draws and other category draws covering French-language proficiency, agriculture, STEM occupations, and trade workers. Keep your profile active and updated so you remain eligible when the right draw comes.

✅ If You Got an ITA, What To Do Now

Congratulations. Receiving an ITA is a major milestone. Now the clock starts. You have 60 days to submit your complete permanent residence application through your IRCC secure account. Here is what to do immediately.

1. Confirm your ITA in your IRCC account: Log in to your secure IRCC account and accept the invitation. Note the exact 60-day deadline on your calendar and set reminders at the 30-day and 14-day marks.
2. Order your police certificates immediately: Police certificates from every country where you have lived for six months or more since age 18 are required. These can take weeks. Start the requests today, even before you gather other documents.
3. Book your immigration medical exam: You need a medical exam from a designated physician. Find a panel physician approved by IRCC and book as soon as possible. Results are valid for 12 months, but processing takes time.
4. Gather employment documents: You need a reference letter from your employer confirming your job title, duties, salary, hours per week, and the dates you worked. It should be on company letterhead and signed by your supervisor or HR department. This confirms your one year of qualifying healthcare experience.
5. Collect your language test results: Make sure your test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF) are still valid. IRCC accepts results that are less than two years old at the time of application submission.
6. Prepare your educational credential assessment (ECA): If you claimed foreign education points, your ECA from a designated organization must be included. Check that it matches the degree listed in your Express Entry profile.
7. Do not quit your job or change employers suddenly: IRCC may verify that you still meet the work experience criteria when they process your application. Maintain your employment situation as closely as possible to what you declared in your profile.
8. Pay the permanent residence fees: The right of permanent residence fee and processing fees are due when you submit your application. Have your payment method ready. These fees are set by IRCC and must be paid online through your secure account.
9. Submit before the deadline, not on it: Technical issues happen. Submit your application at least two to three days before the 60-day deadline to avoid any last-minute problems with uploads or the IRCC portal.

After submission, IRCC will review your application and may request additional documents through what is called an Acknowledgement of Receipt or a procedural fairness letter. Respond to any requests promptly. Processing times for Express Entry applications vary, but IRCC publishes current estimates on their website.

📈 If You Didn't Get Invited

Not getting an invitation today does not mean permanent residence is out of reach. It means you need a plan. Here are the most effective approaches for healthcare and social services workers who did not clear the 475 cutoff.

First, look at your language score. Language is the single biggest lever most candidates can pull. If you scored CLB 7 in any of the four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking), moving to CLB 9 across the board can add 30 to 50 or more points to your CRS score, depending on your profile. Book a retake of your IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF. Even a one-band improvement in a single skill can push your total over the threshold for the next healthcare draw.

Second, look at the Provincial Nominee Program. Many provinces have health authority streams or employer-driven streams specifically designed for healthcare workers. Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan all have active immigration streams that align with many of the 37 NOC codes in this draw. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score and effectively guarantees an ITA in the next general draw. Contact the immigration office of the province where you live or work to find out which streams are open.

Third, consider French. Candidates who can demonstrate proficiency in French receive significant bonus points under the CRS. If you already speak some French, taking the TEF Canada or TCF Canada test and achieving strong results can boost your score by dozens of points. IRCC also runs dedicated French-language draws where the cutoff is often lower than in healthcare or general draws.

Fourth, be patient and keep your profile active. IRCC has already run three healthcare category draws in 2026, with this being Version 3. Each draw is a new opportunity. Make sure your profile does not expire, keep your information current, and re-enter the pool immediately if your profile lapses. Expired profiles are not considered in any draw.

You can monitor upcoming draws and stay informed through the IRCC Help Centre, which publishes results and category announcements as they happen.

FAQ

Why was the CRS cutoff only 475 in this draw?

This was a category-based draw limited to healthcare and social services workers. The pool was smaller and more specific than a general all-program draw. With fewer candidates competing, the score needed to reach the top 4,000 was lower than in a typical general draw. A lower cutoff does not mean the bar was easy, it means the competition was among a specialized group.

I work in healthcare but my NOC code is not on the list. Was I eligible?

No. Only the 37 specific NOC unit group codes listed in the ministerial instructions were eligible for Draw #422. If your occupation is not among them, you were not in this category pool. You may still be eligible for general draws or other category-based draws, depending on your profile and occupation.

What does the tie-breaking rule mean for me?

If multiple candidates had a CRS score of exactly 475, IRCC used the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles as a tiebreaker. Only candidates who submitted their profile before May 21, 2026 at 12:14:09 UTC were invited if they were tied at 475. Anyone who submitted after that timestamp and also had a score of 475 was not invited in this round.

Can I apply through both the CEC and FSWP in the same draw?

You do not choose which program your ITA comes from, IRCC assigns it based on your eligibility. If you meet the requirements for more than one program, IRCC will use the one that best fits your profile. What matters is that you meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Will IRCC run more healthcare draws in 2026?

Draw #422 is the third healthcare and social services category draw of 2026, labelled Version 3 in the ministerial instructions. IRCC does not announce future draws in advance, but the pattern in 2026 shows that healthcare draws have been held multiple times this year. Keeping your Express Entry profile active and up to date is the best way to stay ready for the next one.

Sources: Government of Canada (canada.ca), IRCC Help Centre. Last verified: June 25, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult IRCC or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.

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