Canada has held another targeted Express Entry invitation round, this time focusing on candidates with experience in healthcare and social services occupations. The September 4, 2026 round issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, making it one of the larger category-based draws in recent months.
The latest round had a minimum CRS score of 475, giving eligible healthcare and social services professionals an opportunity to receive an invitation with a score below the thresholds typically seen in general Express Entry selections. Category-based draws allow Canada to prioritise candidates whose skills and experience align with specific economic and labour-market needs.
Express Entry Draw #441: Key Details
✅ Invitation Round: #441
✅ Date of Round: September 4, 2026
✅ Type of Draw: Healthcare and social services
✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 3,500
✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 475
Healthcare and Social Services Category
Healthcare and social services is one of Canada's current Express Entry categories. The category covers a broad range of occupations, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, physiotherapists, social workers, medical laboratory technologists, dental professionals and other healthcare and social service workers.
For the renewed 2026 category, candidates generally need at least 12 months of eligible full-time work experience, or an equivalent amount of part-time experience, within the previous three years. The experience can have been gained in Canada or abroad, provided the candidate meets the other Express Entry requirements.
Details of the September 4 Round
Draw #441 selected 3,500 candidates from the healthcare and social services category. The lowest-ranked candidate invited had a CRS score of 475.
The draw is part of Canada's category-based selection system, through which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can prioritise candidates with experience in occupations linked to identified economic objectives. Candidates must first qualify for one of the three programs managed under Express Entry before they can be considered for a category-based invitation.
Candidates receiving an ITA can proceed with their permanent residence applications and must provide the required supporting documentation while continuing to meet the applicable eligibility requirements.
Impact on Canadian Immigration
The latest draw highlights Canada's continued focus on strengthening its healthcare and social services workforce. Inviting 3,500 candidates in a single round creates a substantial opportunity for qualified professionals seeking permanent residence.
The 475 CRS cut-off is also significant because category-based selection can provide opportunities to candidates who may not rank high enough in a general draw. For healthcare and social services professionals, relevant work experience can therefore play an important role in their Canadian immigration strategy.
The draw also reflects Canada's broader approach of using Express Entry to respond to labour-market requirements. By prioritising professionals in essential sectors, Canada can support workforce needs while providing skilled workers with pathways toward permanent residence.
Overall, Draw #441 reinforces the importance of healthcare and social services occupations within Canada's 2026 immigration priorities and provides another major opportunity for eligible professionals to move toward Canadian permanent residence.
Canada Express Entry Draw List 2026
Total ITAs issued in 2026: 126156