Canada held a new Healthcare Express Entry Draw Feb 20, 2026, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Healthcare and Social Services category. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required in this targeted round was 467.
This draw reflects Canada’s continued prioritization of healthcare professionals in response to nationwide labour shortages.
Official Details – Healthcare Express Entry Draw February 20, 2026
- Program Type: Category-Based Selection (Healthcare & Social Services)
- Date: February 20, 2026
- Invitations Issued: 4,000
- Minimum CRS Score: 467
- Tie-Breaking Rule: December 9, 2025
This marks one of the largest healthcare-targeted Express Entry draws of the year so far.
Comparison With Previous Healthcare Draw
To better understand the trend, here is how the February 20, 2026 healthcare draw compares with the previous healthcare-focused round held.
| Draw Date | Invitations Issued | Minimum CRS Score | Change in ITAs | Change in CRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 Healthcare Draw | 1,000 | 476 | — | — |
| February 20, 2026 Healthcare Draw | 4,000 | 467 | +3000 | -9 |
Key Observations:
✔ Invitations increased by 3000
✔ CRS score dropped by 9 points
✔ More candidates in the mid-460s range became competitive
The increase in invitations combined with a slight CRS decrease suggests strong demand and active clearing of eligible healthcare profiles.
What the Drop to CRS 467 Indicates
A reduction from 476 to 467 signals:
- Increased selection volume
- Larger clearing of mid-range CRS candidates
- Continued sector prioritization
Candidates scoring between 460–470 now remain strongly positioned for future healthcare draws.
Eligible Occupations Under Healthcare Category
The Healthcare and Social Services category includes occupations such as:
- Registered nurses
- Licensed practical nurses
- Nurse practitioners
- Physicians
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Healthcare aides
- Social workers
Candidates must have at least one year of recent skilled work experience in an eligible occupation to qualify. For a complete list of occupations please visit the Official GOVT site here.
Express Entry Pool Impact Analysis
Most Express Entry candidates fall within:
- 401–450 CRS range
- 451–500 CRS range
With the CRS cutoff set at 467, IRCC likely selected a significant number of candidates in the upper 460s bracket.
The increase in ITAs suggests that IRCC is actively reducing healthcare-related profiles from the competitive mid-range CRS pool.
Why Healthcare Remains a Priority Sector
Canada continues to face shortages in:
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Community health services
- Rural and remote regions
Healthcare workers remain among the most in-demand professionals nationwide, and category-based selection allows IRCC to directly address workforce gaps.
Outlook for Upcoming Healthcare Draws in 2026
Given:
- The high increase in invitations
- The drop in CRS score
- Ongoing healthcare shortages
Further healthcare-targeted draws are likely throughout 2026.
If draw sizes continue increasing, CRS scores may remain stable or fluctuate slightly in the 460–470 range.
Candidates close to this threshold should ensure their profiles are updated and language scores optimized.
