Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first category-based Express Entry draw for healthcare and social services professionals in 2025, marking a significant development in Canada’s targeted immigration strategy.
In this latest draw, held on May 2, IRCC issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively to candidates with healthcare and social services occupations. To qualify, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 510 and had to create their Express Entry profile before 4:31 a.m. UTC on July 21, 2024. This draw reflects the highest CRS cut-off for a healthcare-focused Express Entry round to date.
This marks the first healthcare draw since February 2025, when IRCC expanded the category to include several additional social services roles. The expansion aligns with Canada’s ongoing effort to address persistent labour shortages in critical sectors, such as nursing, mental health services, and community support professions.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued a total of 33,429 ITAs through various Express Entry draws. These include selections based on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), French-language proficiency, and new category-based streams such as education and healthcare.
The healthcare and social services category is one of six priority groups selected by IRCC to meet Canada’s evolving labour market needs. Other key categories for this year include STEM occupations, trades, transport, agriculture, and French-speaking candidates. These targeted draws are designed to ensure immigrants are arriving with the skills most in demand across the country.
May has been an active month for Express Entry, featuring multiple back-to-back draws. The May 2 healthcare draw followed a milestone education-category selection on May 1 and a PNP draw on April 28, showcasing IRCC’s renewed momentum in category-based invitations under Express Entry.
Canada’s category-based selection approach, introduced in 2023 and refined in 2025, reflects a shift towards more strategic immigration planning. It allows the federal government to fine-tune worker intake based on immediate economic needs while maintaining Canada’s reputation as a top destination for skilled immigrants.
Maple News will continue to monitor IRCC’s draw patterns to provide timely updates for prospective immigrants seeking a pathway to permanent residency through the Express Entry system.