Canada’s immigration authorities held a targeted Express Entry draw on 20 February 2026, focusing exclusively on skilled workers in the Healthcare and Social Services sector. In this round, 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to eligible candidates, with a minimum CRS score of 467. The draw reflects Canada’s continued commitment to attracting professionals where shortages are most critical.
This round highlights a growing trend in Canada’s immigration system: prioritising category-based draws to respond to specific labour market needs rather than relying solely on general CRS rankings. Skilled healthcare and social services professionals already contributing to Canada’s workforce were given a faster path to permanent residency.
Details of the Draw
✅ Invitation Round: #398
✅ Date of Round: February 20, 2026
✅ Type of Draw: Healthcare and social services occupations
✅ Number of ITAs Issued: 4,000
✅ CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 467
✅ Tie-Breaking Rule: Profile created before 6:22 p.m. UTC on December 9, 2025
Purpose and Overview of the Draw
The primary purpose was to alleviate workforce shortages in hospitals, clinics, long‑term care facilities, and community support services where demand remains high.
By prioritising these occupations, Canada aimed to expedite permanent residency for professionals already contributing to the healthcare system.
Healthcare and social services draws were introduced in 2025 and have been repeatedly used in 2026 to bring in nurses, allied health workers, and care specialists.
The mid‑year physician‑specific draw and this broader healthcare round show how targeted rounds are now central to immigration planning.
Impact on Immigration
This draw gives thousands of skilled professionals a faster pathway to permanent residency, increasing retention of trained workers already in Canada.
Employers benefit from a more predictable pipeline of foreign‑trained talent transitioning from temporary work status to permanent residency.
The use of category‑based draws reduces emphasis on very high CRS scores in general draws, allowing broader access for those in high‑demand fields.
It also supports regional workforce needs, especially in provinces with acute shortages such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
About Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
Healthcare roles include registered nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals.
These professionals work in hospitals, specialised clinics, diagnostic centres, rehabilitation facilities, and public health units.
Social services occupations include social workers, community support workers, counsellors, and case managers focused on vulnerable and high‑need populations.
Together, these workers provide direct patient care, rehabilitative support, mental health services, and community‑based assistance programs, forming the backbone of Canada’s essential services.
Labour Market Context
Recent government reports indicate that vacancies in healthcare and social service roles remain significantly above pre‑pandemic levels, driving the need for targeted immigration measures.
Policy updates for 2026 have increased the work experience requirement for most category‑based draws to 12 months, tightening eligibility and improving candidate quality.
This means candidates must now demonstrate at least one year of relevant work experience in eligible occupations within the last three years.
Analysts believe these reforms, paired with targeted draws, will help lower CRS cut‑offs in future rounds, making Canada more accessible to qualified professionals in critical sectors.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2026
Total ITAs issued in 2026: 34,848