Canada’s immigration department has conducted its first Healthcare-targeted Express Entry draw of 2025, inviting 500 candidates to apply for permanent residency.

This draw is especially targeted at individuals with a minimum of six months of work experience in one of 37 eligible occupations within the healthcare and social services sector.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cutoff rose to 510, which is higher than the previous healthcare draw, which had a cutoff of 463.

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With ongoing labour deficiencies and an aging population, this targeted draw underlines Canada’s continued adherence to bolstering its healthcare sector through strategic immigration. Let us take a look at the breakdown of the Express Entry draw, including the complete list of qualified occupations under this round of invitations.

Details of The Express Entry Draw

Category: Healthcare and social services occupations
Date and time: May 2, 2025
CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited: 510
Number of invitations issued: 500
Rank needed: 500 or above

37 eligible occupations for the healthcare and social service category

Below is the list of occupations sorted alphabetically by occupation, with the 2021 NOC code:

Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
Audiologists and speech language pathologists (31112)
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
Chiropractors (31201)
Dental hygienists and dental therapists (32111)
Dentists (31110)
Dieticians and nutritionists (31121)
General practitioners and family physicians (31102)
Licensed practical nurses (32101)
Massage therapists (32201)
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
Medical radiation technologists (32121)
Medical sonographers (32122)
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (33102)
Nurse practitioners (31302)
Nursing coordinators and supervisors (31300)
Occupational therapists (31203)
Optometrists (31111)
Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
Other professional occupations in health, diagnosing and treating (31209)
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
Paramedical occupations (32102)
Pharmacists (31120)
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (33103)
Pharmacy technicians (32124)
Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals (31303)
Physiotherapists (31202)
Psychologists (31200)
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (31301)
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)
Social and community service workers (42201)
Social workers (41300)
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
Specialists in surgery (31101)
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (41301)
Veterinarians (31103)

What can you expect for Express Entry in 2025?

IRCC is set to prioritize healthcare, CEC, and PNP draws, which is going to focus on domestic candidates, to address the shortages in labour.

Education and trade draws will gain traction with the introduction of new categories, with Francophone draws continuing to support French-speaking communities. However, certain uncertainties were created due to the pause in draws since March 21st, due to the elections and system updates. Despite this, IRCC’s commitment to 395,000 PR admissions guarantees more opportunities.

The Express Entry pool is always competitive, with around 246,673 candidates eyeing limited spots, and higher CRS cutoffs mean the need for strategic planning. Those professionals who have experience in rural or even Francophone communities can find fast pathways with PNPs.

The ongoing labor shortages in Canada, with almost 20% population over 65, give a clear indication of high demand for healthcare professionals. Hence, the first healthcare of 2025 is of major importance as it’s a big opportunity for healthcare professionals all across the globe. With 500 ITAs at CRS of 510, it indicates Canada’s need for more skilled workers in the healthcare system.