Healthcare & Social Services Top Express Entry 2025 Draw
Express Entry 2025: Healthcare and Social Services Workers See Boost in Permanent Residency Opportunities
There’s exciting news for professionals in healthcare and social services who dream of making Canada their new home. In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially labelled healthcare and social services as a priority category under Express Entry. That means if you’re working in these fields, you’ve got a stronger shot at receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency this year.
This strategic focus comes with real momentum—IRCC has already issued 5,000 ITAs in this category in 2025 alone. With a recent Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off of 475, many skilled workers are seeing their Canadian dreams move closer to reality.
Key Highlights
- Healthcare and social services are priority categories under Express Entry in 2025.
- 5,000 ITAs have already been issued to eligible candidates in this sector.
- The most recent CRS cut-off score was 475, making it more accessible than some general draws.
- Fictional examples show how varied pathways—Canadian education, foreign experience, or language skills—can lead to success.
- To qualify, you need at least six months of continuous full-time experience in a relevant occupation.
- Candidates must still meet general requirements under Express Entry, including language proficiency and educational credentials.
Who’s Getting Invited? Realistic Profiles That Qualified
To help paint a clearer picture of how diverse applicants can succeed, let’s take a look at some fictional profiles that would have received an ITA in the latest draw focused on healthcare and social services.
1. Kasun from Sri Lanka — Skilled Social Worker with Foreign Experience
Kasun Perera is a 28-year-old social worker from Sri Lanka. He holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s in psychology. With three years of experience at a community agency back home and excellent English skills (CLB 10), Kasun is a strong candidate.
Despite having no Canadian experience or education, his CRS score came out to 481—above the latest category draw cut-off.
Note: Social work is regulated provincially in Canada. For instance, if Kasun wished to work in Ontario, he would need to register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
CRS Breakdown:
- Age: 110 points
- Education (Master’s): 135 points
- English Language (CLB 10): 136 points
- Education + Language combo: 50 points
- Foreign work experience + language: 50 points
- Total: 481 points
2. Camille from the UK — Canadian Graduate with Local Experience
Camille Holmes, 26, moved from the UK to Ontario to study massage therapy. After completing a two-year diploma, she worked for two years in a wellness clinic on a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Her English is strong (CLB 9), and though she has no French, her Canadian education and work experience play a major role in her profile strength.
Her CRS score hit 500, easily clearing the draw threshold.
CRS Breakdown:
- Age: 110 points
- Two-year diploma: 98 points
- English Language (CLB 9): 124 points
- Canadian work experience (2 years): 53 points
- Transferability: 50 + 50 points
- Studied in Canada: 15 points
- Total: 500 points
3. Salma from Algeria — PSW with Bilingual Skills and Family Support
Salma Tatar, 27, came to Canada on a spousal open work permit and later pursued an eight-month Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. After graduating, she worked for two years as a nurse aide. Her English is at CLB 8, and she also speaks French (NCLC 7), which earned her valuable extra points.
Her husband’s Canadian education and work experience also contributed to their joint Express Entry profile, leading to a strong CRS score of 499.
CRS Breakdown (including spousal points):
- Age: 100 points
- PSW Certificate: 84 points
- Languages: 100 points
- Canadian work experience: 46 points
- Transferability: 38 + 38 points
- Studied in Canada: 15 points
- French language bonus: 50 points
- Spouse: 28 points (education, language, and experience)
- Total: 499 points
How to Qualify for a Healthcare and Social Services Category Draw
To be considered for a category-based draw under Express Entry, here’s what you’ll need:
- At least 6 months of continuous, full-time work experience in a single eligible healthcare or social services occupation.
- This work experience must have been completed in the past three years, either in Canada or abroad.
- Meet all baseline Express Entry eligibility criteria, including language proficiency, education, and proof of funds (if needed).
- You can also qualify with the equivalent amount of part-time work experience over a longer period.
The recent trend of lower CRS cut-offs for in-demand categories is great news—especially for folks working in valuable, but historically underrepresented, sectors like healthcare support work, social services, and personal care.
Final Thoughts: Now Might Be Your Best Chance
If you work in healthcare or social services and have been considering applying through Express Entry, 2025 could be your year. With thousands of ITAs already issued and relatively accessible CRS cut-offs, the opportunity has never looked brighter.
Whether you’re a social worker abroad like Kasun, a Canadian-trained therapist like Camille, or a PSW with French skills like Salma, there’s more than one pathway to success.
Take the next step towards your Canadian future. Wondering where you stand? It’s easy to check your eligibility and calculate your potential CRS score.
Assess Your Express Entry Eligibility
And if you’re exploring provincial options too, don’t forget to check out the Manitoba PNP—another great route for healthcare professionals.
