Canada Holds First Express Entry Draw for Healthcare Professionals

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through a category-based Express Entry draw focused on healthcare and social services occupations.

To qualify for this draw, candidates needed:

• A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 510
• An Express Entry profile created before 4:31 a.m. (UTC) on July 21, 2024

Latest Draw Details 

• Draw Date: May 2, 2025
• Draw Type: Healthcare and social services
• Number of Invitations: 500
• Minimum CRS Score Required: 510

Express Entry Draws List

This draw marks the first time healthcare candidates have been selected since February 2025, when several social services jobs were added to this category. It also had the highest CRS score ever required for a healthcare-focused draw.

More details about the updated eligibility criteria for this category are available on IRCC’s official website.

So far in 2025, IRCC has conducted three Express Entry draws this week alone:

• A healthcare and social services draw (this one)
• The first-ever draw focused on education occupations (May 1)
• A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw (April 28)
  

As of now, 33,429 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system in 2025.

This year’s Express Entry draws have largely concentrated on PNP candidates, followed by Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants and those in priority occupation categories such as healthcare, STEM, and trades.

How Long Does Express Entry Take?

An Express Entry profile stays active for 12 months. If a candidate receives an ITA during this period, IRCC aims to process their permanent residence application within six months.

The six-month timeline begins once a complete application is submitted. If an ITA isn’t received within a year, candidates may submit a new profile provided they still meet the eligibility requirements.

Compared to other immigration routes, Express Entry typically offers faster processing times. Other options like base PNP streams or regional immigration programs may take longer because IRCC still needs to approve candidates even after provincial or territorial nomination.

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