In one of the most significant category-based draws of 2025, Canada issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on July 22 under the Healthcare and Social Services category. The minimum CRS score was 475, making this the lowest cutoff of the year for this stream.
This marks the largest healthcare-focused draw since the introduction of category-based selections, sending a clear signal that Canada is prioritizing skilled professionals in its most critical frontline sectors.
Details of The Latest Express Entry draw:
Draw #357
Stream: Category-Based (Healthcare & Social Services)
Invitations Issued: 4,000
CRS Cutoff: 475
Date: July 22, 2025
Tie-break Rule: March 13, 2025 at 13:08:29 UTC
Overview of The Draw
Canada’s growing dependence on foreign-trained professionals to fill deep labour shortages in healthcare is no longer subtle. By issuing 4,000 invitations, IRCC has doubled down on its commitment to stabilize an overburdened care system and close staffing gaps across provinces.
Lowest CRS So Far in 2025
The cutoff of 475 is a massive relief for thousands of eligible candidates stuck below the 500 mark. With healthcare-specific draws continuing to show lower thresholds than general rounds, applicants in this field now hold a real competitive edge.
Healthcare Is The Frontline of Immigration
From doctors and nurses to personal support workers and social service professionals, this draw captured a wide scope of NOC codes under TEER 0 to 3. It’s not just about hospitals anymore — it’s about community care, mental health, and long-term support systems.
Critical Takeaways for Candidates in Healthcare
Ensure your NOC aligns with the 35 eligible codes
Boost your CRS with language tests, education assessments, or Canadian experience
Stay ready for the next round — another healthcare draw could arrive within weeks
Impact on Immigration
Category-based targeting is now driving the system — Prioritizing occupations that align with immediate labour market demands over merely high-scoring profiles.
Lower CRS scores are becoming more common for high-demand roles, especially in healthcare and social services.
Immigrants with the right NOC codes now have a faster, clearer pathway — without having to compete in general draws.
Provincial and federal goals are syncing up — and Express Entry is being retooled to feed into labour shortages directly.
Future-proofing your application now means matching labour market priorities, not just boosting CRS scores.
Healthcare and social services are setting the pace — and other essential categories are expected to follow.
