Express Entry Healthcare Draw Invites 4,000 Candidates with CRS 475 on June 25 | ImmigraCan

4,000 invitations for healthcare and social services professionals

On June 25, 2026, IRCC held a new targeted Express Entry draw for candidates in occupations classified as Healthcare and Social Services. 4,000 invitations (ITAs) were issued with a CRS cutoff of 475 — the highest since the category was created.

This was the first healthcare draw since February 20, 2026, when the same number of invitations had been sent with a cutoff of CRS 467. The gap of over four months and the 8-point increase in the score point to a stronger, denser pool of eligible candidates.

Who was invited

The draw covered candidates with an active profile in the Express Entry pool whose primary occupation is on the Healthcare and Social Services occupations list published by IRCC, which includes, among others:

• Registered nurses and nurse practitioners
• Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists
• Pharmacists and pharmacy assistants
• Social workers and psychologists
• Medical laboratory technicians
• Specialized caregivers and paramedics
• Dentists and dental hygienists

Tie-break cutoff date: candidates with exactly CRS 475 needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before May 21, 2026 at 12:14:09 p.m. UTC.

Why did the score rise by 8 points?

There are three main explanations for the higher cutoff:

1. A more competitive pool: four months without a healthcare draw built up a stock of candidates with higher scores, including professionals who improved their English or gained Canadian experience in the meantime.
2. Concentration of strong profiles: nurses and pharmacists with CLB 9 and a master's degree tend to cluster at the top of the pool.
3. IRCC strategy: keeping the volume at 4,000 while raising the score signals that the government currently prefers quality over volume at this stage of the 2026–2028 plan.

How to prepare for the next healthcare draw

If you're a healthcare professional and aren't in the pool yet, or your score is below 475, here are practical steps:

1. Check whether your occupation is on the list

Confirm the 2021 NOC code for your profession and whether it's among those classified as Healthcare and Social Services. Use our NOC search tool to find the correct code.

2. Validate your credentials

Each province has its own regulatory body for healthcare professions (for example, CNO in Ontario for nursing). Many recognition processes take 6 to 18 months, so start early.

3. Raise your language CLB

Going from CLB 7 to CLB 9 in English can add 30 to 50 points to your CRS. Model different scenarios with our scenario simulator.

4. Consider job offers

An approved LMIA or a valid job offer in Canada can add 50 to 200 points to your CRS, depending on the NOC.

5. Keep an eye on healthcare PNPs

Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Manitoba have specific streams for healthcare professionals that offer provincial nomination, adding 600 points to your CRS.

What to expect from upcoming draws

The pace of Express Entry draws in 2026 has been roughly one draw every 10 days, alternating between general draws, CEC, French and specific categories. Analysts expect the next healthcare round to happen in August or September 2026, but IRCC doesn't announce dates in advance.

If you're in the pool with a score between 460 and 475, keep your profile updated and consider short-term actions to boost your score — retaking your language test tends to be the fastest gain.

Conclusion

The June 25 draw reinforces Canada's strategic priority of attracting qualified healthcare professionals. The higher cutoff is a clear sign that competition is intensifying, but also that real opportunity exists for those who arrive well-prepared.

Start your assessment now: calculate your CRS and take the eligibility quiz to find out which programs make the most sense for your profile.

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*This content is informational and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or IRCC. Always confirm official data at canada.ca and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or lawyer.*