Canada has conducted another major Express Entry draw, inviting 1,000 healthcare and social services workers to apply for permanent residence, marking the first category-based draw for this group in December.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 476 and an Express Entry profile created before November 26, 2025 at 7:44 a.m. UTC to be eligible.
A High-Demand Draw During One of Canada’s Busiest ITA Months
This is the third Express Entry draw of December, following the largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of the year on December 11 and a major PNP draw on December 8. IRCC has been issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) at an accelerated pace, signalling strong momentum in Canada’s 2025 and 2026 immigration strategy.
So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 106,599 ITAs through Express Entry—making this one of the most active years for skilled immigration.
Healthcare and Social Services: A Priority Immigration Category
This latest draw reinforces the importance of Canada’s Healthcare and Social Services Occupations Category, which has already accounted for 13,500 ITAs in 2025. These specialized Express Entry draws are designed to address staffing shortages across Canada’s hospitals, clinics, long-term care homes, and community support programs.
The occupations typically invited under this category include:
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- Licensed practical nurses
- Nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacist technicians
- Pharmacist assistants
- Medical technicians and technologists
These workers are critical to maintaining a functioning healthcare ecosystem—particularly as Canada continues to face increasing demand due to an aging population.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2025
IRCC’s category-based draws continue to diversify Canada’s immigration intake. So far this year, ITAs have been distributed across a variety of targeted streams:
- French-language proficiency: 42,000 ITAs
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 30,850 ITAs
- Healthcare & Social Services: 13,500 ITAs
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 9,376 ITAs
- Education Category: 3,500 ITAs
- Trade Occupations: 1,250 ITAs
This data reflects Canada’s ongoing shift toward a more skills-driven immigration system, prioritizing candidates who can fill labour shortages immediately.
Predicted Future CRS Cut-Offs
| Draw Type | Predicted CRS Range |
|---|---|
| CEC | 520–540 |
| Healthcare / Social Services Category | 460–480 |
| French Language Proficiency Category | 400–430 |
| PNP Specific Draws | 700–750+ |
| General All-Program (if held) | 540–560 |
