Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department (IRCC) recently issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through the Express Entry system, specifically targeting candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services category. This draw, which took place on August 19, 2025, marks the second-largest healthcare-focused draw of the year, following a draw in July where 4,000 ITAs were issued.

Key Details:

– Minimum CRS Score: 470
– Invitations Issued: 2,500
– Eligible Profiles: Candidates with Express Entry profiles created before April 23, 2025, 8:08 p.m. UTC

What’s Behind This Draw?

Canada’s healthcare sector continues to face significant labor shortages, particularly with an aging population requiring more medical professionals. This draw reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to address these shortages by inviting skilled healthcare workers to apply for permanent residency ¹.

Express Entry Draws: A Busy Month

August has been a busy month for Express Entry draws, with five draws taking place so far:
– Healthcare and Social Services: 2,500 ITAs (CRS 470)
– Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 192 ITAs (CRS 800)
– French Language Proficiency:* 2,500 ITAs (CRS 481)
– Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 1,000 ITAs (CRS 534)
– PNP: 225 ITAs (CRS 739)

What This Means for Applicants

For healthcare professionals, this draw presents a promising opportunity to immigrate to Canada. With a relatively lower CRS score requirement compared to PNP draws, which often demand scores in the high 700s or 800s, this draw is more accessible to many applicants