Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a targeted Express Entry draw focused on healthcare and social services professionals. A total of 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued on October 15, 2025. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472 to receive an invitation—slightly higher than the last healthcare-themed draw in August, which also saw 2,500 ITAs issued.
This round specifically targeted candidates with experience in a wide range of healthcare and allied health occupations. Eligible professions included registered nurses, physicians, pharmacists, paramedics, medical technologists, social workers, and veterinarians, among many others. The draw reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its healthcare system amid growing demand for skilled professionals.
The latest draw was the 43rd of 2025 and the 373rd overall since the inception of the Express Entry system. The tie-breaking rule for this round was applied to candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before May 12, 2025, at 7:17 p.m. EST.
So far in 2025, Canada has conducted a diverse set of Express Entry invitation rounds: 19 for candidates nominated under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), 10 targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants, six for French-language proficiency, five healthcare-focused draws, two targeting education occupations, and one focused on skilled trades. These draws align with Canada’s strategic use of category-based selection to target labour market gaps.
To date, IRCC has issued 73,216 ITAs through Express Entry in 2025, a pace that suggests the year could end below the 98,903 ITAs issued in 2024. Previous years saw 110,266 ITAs in 2023 and a record-breaking 114,431 in 2021—highlighting Canada’s sustained use of Express Entry to meet immigration and workforce objectives.
Candidates successful in this draw now have 60 days to submit their permanent residence applications. IRCC aims to process most of these within the six-month service standard. Applicants can strengthen their chances of future invitations by securing a valid job offer or provincial nomination, both of which boost CRS scores significantly.
This healthcare-specific draw underscores the increasing reliance on immigration to meet Canada’s critical labour shortages, especially in sectors essential to public well-being.
Employers looking to fill skill gaps can support prospective immigrants through Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) or by nominating them under provincial programs. Doing so not only helps address immediate staffing needs but also facilitates long-term talent retention.
Maple News will continue to cover updates on Express Entry draws, trends in skilled migration, and Canada’s evolving immigration policies.