New 2025 Update to Canadian Express Entry Pathway for Healthcare & Social Services Professionals
Canada’s Express Entry system recently received a major refresh, and now healthcare and social services professionals may have a clearer path to permanent residence. Here's what you need to know.
In February 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced updates to the category-based draws, expanding the Healthcare & Social Services Occupations category. The expansion added new in-demand roles like dental hygienists, pharmacists, social workers, and more, increasing the eligibility scope.
2025 has already seen several draws targeting this group of applicants. On May 2, 2025, 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued after the Comprehensive Ranking System recorded the cut-off score as 510. On July 22, 2025, 4,000 ITAs were issued after the CRS recorded the cut-off score as 475.
Eligible Occupations
To participate in these draws, your occupation must be on the updated list and match one of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. Recent additions include (but are not limited to):
Social workers (NOC 41300)
Social and community service workers (NOC 42201)
Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
Dental hygienists/therapists (NOC 32111)
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for the Healthcare & Social Services draw:
Have an Express Entry profile and qualify under at least one Express Entry program (FSWP, FSTP, or CEC)
Have at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a single eligible occupation within the last 3 years—either in Canada or abroad
How The Draw Works?
When a category-based draw occurs:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) selects only those in the Express Entry pool who meet the healthcare & social services criteria;
Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are issued based on CRS score rankings, often with lower cut-offs than general draws
Why You Should Act Now?
Category-based draws provide a strategic pathway for healthcare and social services workers, even with moderate CRS* scores, to secure permanent residency. Given the competitive advantages these draws offer, early assessment can increase your chances significantly.
(*) CRS Score: The comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score is a points-based system used by IRCC to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool for permanent residence in Canada. Each candidate is assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and additional points for a job offer, provincial nomination, or having a sibling in Canada. The IRCC conducts draws approximately every two weeks, issuing invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the highest-ranking candidates based on their CRS score.
✅ Need Help Navigating Express Entry?
Whether you're verifying your NOC code, understanding CRS points, or preparing your PR application, Ayodele Law Professional Corporation is here to help. Contact us for tailored support.
