Canada Invites 3,500 Healthcare and Social Services Workers to Apply for Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in a targeted Express Entry draw for Healthcare and Social Services occupations.

Draw Results and Minimum CRS Threshold

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this category-based selection was 475 points.

This cut-off demonstrates a notable advantage over general and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, where thresholds have consistently ranged between 517 and 523 points in 2026. The lower score requirement offers a competitive pathway for foreign-trained and Canadian-experienced healthcare professionals alike.

Eligibility Criteria for the Category

To qualify for a healthcare and social services category-based draw under Express Entry, candidates must:

• Meet the underlying eligibility of an Express Entry program (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades).

• Possess a minimum of 6 months of continuous qualifying work experience within an eligible healthcare or social service NOC occupation over the preceding three years.

Continued Focus on Healthcare Recruitment

This invitation round brings the total number of ITAs issued under the Healthcare and Social Services stream in 2026 to 11,500. As healthcare staffing pressures persist nationwide, category-based selection remains a pivotal tool in Canada’s economic immigration strategy.