Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another major Express Entry draw, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Healthcare and Social Services occupational category.
To be eligible for this draw, candidates were required to:
- Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 475
- Submit their Express Entry profile before 1:08 p.m. UTC on March 13, 2025
Express Entry Draw Activity in 2025
So far this year, IRCC has issued a total of 49,403 ITAs through multiple categories, with the latest draw on July 22 specifically targeting healthcare and social services professionals.
Here’s a quick snapshot of some key draws in 2025:
|
Date |
Draw Type |
Number of ITAs |
CRS Cut-off |
|
July 22 |
Healthcare & Social Services |
4,000 |
475 |
|
July 21 |
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
202 |
788 |
|
July 8 |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
3,000 |
518 |
|
June 4 |
Healthcare & Social Services |
500 |
504 |
|
May 2 |
Healthcare & Social Services |
500 |
510 |
|
March 21 |
French-Language Proficiency |
7,500 |
379 |
The July 22 draw marks the fourth Express Entry round in July, following a series of PNP and CEC draws earlier in the month.
Draw Trends in 2025
IRCC has largely focused on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws this year, alongside targeted draws for:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- French-speaking candidates
- Priority occupation categories such as healthcare, education, and social services
Breakdown of draws in 2025 so far:
|
Draw Type |
Number of Draws |
|
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) |
13 |
|
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
7 |
|
French-language Proficiency |
3 |
|
Healthcare and Social Services |
3 |
|
Education |
1 |
Since June 10, IRCC has followed a predictable schedule, alternating PNP and CEC draws every two weeks.
Category-Based Selection: A Key Opportunity for Lower CRS Scores
For candidates with CRS scores below 500, Express Entry’s category-based draws have become an important route to Canadian permanent residence.
To qualify under these targeted streams, candidates must:
- Have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience
- Be employed in an occupation listed under one of the designated Express Entry categories
This experience can be gained either in Canada or abroad.
Canada’s category-based immigration system aims to meet labor market demands while providing skilled professionals — particularly in healthcare — with a streamlined pathway to settle in the country.
For more details about eligibility, job codes, or how to apply, visit IRCC’s official website or consult a licensed immigration expert.
