Canada Express Entry: 2,500 ITAs for Healthcare Jobs
IRCC Issues 2,500 ITAs in October Express Entry Draw for Healthcare and Social Services
- IRCC invited 2,500 candidates in the latest Express Entry draw for healthcare and social services.
- Minimum CRS score required was 472; candidates needed to have submitted their profile by May 12, 2025.
- This is the fifth healthcare-targeted draw of the year and the second-largest in size.
- Over 73,000 total ITAs have been issued in 2025, with healthcare professionals receiving nearly 10,000.
- October has already seen four draws across different Express Entry categories.
- French-speaking and Canadian Experience Class candidates continue to receive the most invitations overall.
Another Boost for Healthcare Workers in Canada’s Express Entry System
In a welcome update for aspiring immigrants in the healthcare field, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Express Entry system’s healthcare and social services category. The draw, held mid-October 2025, focused on skilled professionals who can help fill critical labour shortages across Canada’s healthcare sector.
To be eligible for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472. Additionally, they had to have created their Express Entry profile before 11:17 p.m. UTC on May 12, 2025.
This draw stands out as one of the largest in this category so far this year, tying with a similar event in August. It’s second only to July’s draw, which invited 4,000 healthcare professionals.
Why This Matters for Canadian Immigration
Canada’s Express Entry system has become increasingly focused on category-based selection, allowing IRCC to target candidates with skills that align with national economic needs. In particular, the healthcare and social services category has played a key role in filling urgent job vacancies across the country — especially in provinces facing aging populations and healthcare staffing shortages.
So far in 2025, healthcare draws have resulted in 9,792 ITAs, making this stream the third-largest among all Express Entry categories. For those in the healthcare industry looking to make Canada home, this trend offers a promising pathway.
October’s Express Entry Activity: A Busy Month So Far
This most recent healthcare draw is actually the fourth Express Entry draw of October. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happened this month:
- October 1: 1,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates were invited, with a CRS cut-off of 534.
- October 6: 4,500 candidates were invited under the French language proficiency stream (cut-off: 432).
- October 14: 345 candidates invited through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream (cut-off: 778).
- October 15: 2,500 healthcare and social services professionals invited (cut-off: 472).
As you can see, IRCC is actively using a range of draw types to meet Canada’s evolving immigration needs.
Express Entry in 2025: By the Numbers
Since January, the Express Entry system has been busy. Let’s break down what’s happened so far this year:
- Total ITAs issued: 73,183
- Top categories by number of invitations:
| Draw Type | Number of ITAs |
|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 30,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 21,850 |
| Healthcare and social services | 9,792 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 6,947 |
| Education | 3,500 |
| Trade | 1,250 |
In terms of draw frequency, here’s how many times each stream has been featured so far in 2025:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 19 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 10 |
| French-language proficiency | 6 |
| Healthcare and social services | 5 |
| Education | 2 |
| Trade | 1 |
What This Means for You
If you’re a healthcare or social services professional dreaming of settling in Canada, now’s a great time to build or update your Express Entry profile. With nearly 10,000 ITAs already issued in this category alone, you could be next in line.
Even if your CRS score isn’t quite at 472, don’t be discouraged. IRCC often adjusts scores based on draw type and labour needs. Plus, you might be eligible for additional points through provincial nomination — such as through the Manitoba PNP — or by improving your language test results.
Final Thoughts
Canada continues to welcome skilled newcomers through a balanced and targeted approach. Whether you’re a nurse, social worker, or another healthcare professional, Express Entry is proving to be a strong immigration pathway in 2025. The system’s evolving focus on category-based selection means that your in-demand skills could be exactly what Canada is looking for.
Want to know where you stand? Check your Express Entry profile score and see how you compare with recent draws.
Need help navigating your options? Our immigration experts are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started.
