IRCC issues 4,000 Express Entry invitations for healthcare workers
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw focused on healthcare and social services occupations. The February 20, 2026, round saw 4,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) issued to eligible candidates under the category-based selection stream.
This marks the first healthcare-focused draw of 2026 and reflects the federal government’s continued efforts to address ongoing labour shortages in Canada’s health and social care sectors.
- 4,000 invitations issued under the healthcare and social services category
- Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required: 467
- Candidates needed to have submitted profiles before December 9, 2025, at 6:22 p.m. UTC
- Tenth Express Entry draw conducted in 2026
- Third category-based draw of the year
- Total of 34,848 ITAs issued across all categories so far in 2026
Overview of the latest Express Entry draw
The February 20 draw targeted healthcare and social services professionals through IRCC’s category-based selection process. Candidates with a minimum CRS score of 467 who submitted their profiles before December 9, 2025, were eligible for consideration. This initiative is part of Canada’s broader strategy to fill high-demand positions within the healthcare sector.
Express Entry activity in 2026
Since the start of 2026, IRCC has held ten Express Entry draws across multiple selection categories. These include the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), French-language proficiency, and other category-based rounds focused on specific occupations.
The February 20 draw follows a series of recent selections, including a February 19 draw for physicians with Canadian work experience, which invited 391 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 169, and a February 17 draw for the Canadian Experience Class that issued 6,000 invitations with a CRS score of 508.
Summary of Express Entry draws in 2026
IRCC data show that category-based and program-specific draws have dominated early 2026. The four Provincial Nominee Program draws to date have recorded CRS cut-offs ranging between 711 and 789, while Canadian Experience Class draws have required scores from 508 to 511.
The largest draw of the year remains the February 6 French-language proficiency round, which issued 8,500 invitations with a CRS score of 400.
Category-based selection focus
Category-based draws were introduced to prioritize candidates with experience in sectors facing critical labour shortages, such as healthcare, STEM, transport, and trades. The healthcare and social services category reflects IRCC’s emphasis on addressing workforce gaps, particularly in provinces reporting high demand for nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals.
Provincial programs, including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), also play a role in supporting regional healthcare recruitment through aligned nomination streams.
Distribution of invitations in 2026
As of February 20, a total of 34,848 invitations have been distributed among five main draw types. The Canadian Experience Class leads with 20,000 invitations, followed by French-language proficiency with 8,500. Healthcare and social services candidates have received 4,000, while the Provincial Nominee Program and physicians with Canadian work experience have received 1,534 and 391 invitations, respectively.
Labour market context
Canada continues to face a shortage of healthcare professionals across urban and rural regions. The federal government has identified this sector as a top priority in its immigration levels plan, aligning Express Entry selections with national workforce needs.
IRCC’s category-based approach is designed to complement federal and provincial immigration pathways, ensuring that essential sectors such as healthcare remain supported through a steady inflow of skilled workers.
Public significance
The healthcare-focused selection is expected to contribute to the long-term stability of Canada’s health system by attracting foreign-trained professionals with relevant credentials and experience. It also supports the federal commitment to balanced immigration distribution across economic sectors.
Ongoing Express Entry trends
With multiple draws already conducted in 2026, IRCC’s approach shows continued prioritization of candidates who are already in Canada or who have provincial nominations. This trend aligns with efforts to streamline transitions from temporary to permanent residence for individuals contributing to critical industries.
Future rounds are expected to maintain a combination of program-specific and category-based selections as part of the department’s ongoing management of Express Entry intake.
Summary
The February 20 draw underscores IRCC’s continued emphasis on healthcare recruitment through immigration. As of late February 2026, the department has issued tens of thousands of invitations across diverse categories, reflecting evolving priorities within Canada’s immigration system.
Further updates on Express Entry draws and related immigration programs are expected as IRCC continues its regular rounds of invitations throughout the year.