IRCC Express Entry Draw: Healthcare and Social Services Workers Invited at CRS 475 in June 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 4,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a targeted Express Entry draw focused on healthcare and social services workers. The draw took place on June 25, 2026, marking the second category-based selection round for this occupational group in 2026.

To qualify for consideration, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 475 and had to have created their Express Entry profile before 12:14 p.m. UTC on May 21, 2026. The cut-off score represents an increase from the first healthcare and social services draw held on February 20, 2026, which had a CRS threshold of 467.

Express Entry Healthcare Draw Details and Cut-Off Score Analysis

The June 25, 2026 Express Entry draw for healthcare and social services workers issued exactly 4,000 invitations to apply (ITA). The CRS cut-off score of 475 is notably higher than the February healthcare draw, which stood at 467 — a difference of 8 points. This upward trend suggests increasing competition within this occupational category as more candidates with healthcare backgrounds enter the Express Entry pool.

The requirement for candidates to have created their profile before May 21, 2026 means that only those who had registered at least six weeks before the draw were eligible. This timeline is consistent with IRCC’s standard practice of giving candidates adequate notice between profile registration and category-based draws.

For reference, the February healthcare draw had issued 4,000 ITAs at a CRS score of 467. The June draw’s higher threshold indicates that the pool of healthcare and social services candidates has become more competitive over the past four months, with a greater concentration of high-scoring applicants.

Complete 2026 Express Entry Draw Summary Table

The June 25 draw was the 34th Express Entry selection round of 2026. Here is the full summary of all Express Entry draws held in 2026 to date:

June 25 — Healthcare and Social Services: CRS 475, 4,000 ITAs
June 24 — Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: CRS 223, 271 ITAs
June 23 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 516, 4,000 ITAs
June 22 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 730, 955 ITAs
May 28 — French-Language Proficiency: CRS 409, 4,500 ITAs
May 27 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 518, 3,000 ITAs
May 25 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 805, 334 ITAs
May 11 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 798, 380 ITAs
April 29 — French-Language Proficiency: CRS 400, 4,000 ITAs
April 28 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 514, 2,000 ITAs
April 27 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 795, 473 ITAs
April 15 — French-Language Proficiency: CRS 419, 4,000 ITAs
April 14 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 515, 2,000 ITAs
April 13 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 786, 324 ITAs
April 2 — Trades: CRS 477, 3,000 ITAs
March 31 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 509, 2,250 ITAs
March 30 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 802, 356 ITAs
March 18 — French-Language Proficiency: CRS 393, 4,000 ITAs
March 17 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 507, 4,000 ITAs
March 16 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 742, 362 ITAs
March 5 — Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: CRS 429, 250 ITAs
March 4 — French-Language Proficiency: CRS 397, 5,500 ITAs
March 3 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 508, 4,000 ITAs
March 2 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 710, 264 ITAs
February 20 — Healthcare and Social Services: CRS 467, 4,000 ITAs
February 19 — Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: CRS 169, 391 ITAs
February 17 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 508, 6,000 ITAs
February 16 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 789, 279 ITAs
February 6 — French-Language Proficiency: CRS 400, 8,500 ITAs
February 3 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 749, 423 ITAs
January 21 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 509, 6,000 ITAs
January 20 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 746, 681 ITAs
January 7 — Canadian Experience Class: CRS 511, 8,000 ITAs
January 5 — Provincial Nominee Program: CRS 711, 574 ITAs

Total ITAs Issued by Draw Type in 2026

Across all 34 Express Entry draws held so far in 2026, IRCC has issued a total of 89,067 invitations to apply for permanent residence. The breakdown by draw type is as follows:

Canadian Experience Class: 41,250 ITAs (the largest category by volume)
French-Language Proficiency: 30,500 ITAs
Healthcare and Social Services: 8,000 ITAs (across two draws)
Provincial Nominee Program: 5,405 ITAs
Trades: 3,000 ITAs (one draw on April 2)
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: 662 ITAs (two draws)
Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience: 250 ITAs (one draw)

The Canadian Experience Class continues to dominate the Express Entry landscape in 2026, accounting for nearly half of all ITAs issued. French-language proficiency draws have also been a major channel, with 30,500 invitations distributed across six separate draws. The combined healthcare and social services category has issued 8,000 ITAs through two draws — one in February and the June 25 round discussed here.

Draw Frequency Analysis: What IRCC’s 2026 Pattern Reveals

The distribution of draw types in 2026 reveals IRCC’s clear prioritization strategy. Provincial Nominee Program draws lead with 12 separate rounds, followed by Canadian Experience Class at 10 draws. French-language proficiency has been targeted in six draws, while healthcare and social services have had two draws each for physicians and general healthcare workers.

The frequency of category-based draws — as opposed to comprehensive ranking system-only draws — demonstrates IRCC’s ongoing commitment to addressing specific labour market needs. Healthcare workers, French-language speakers, and Canadian experience holders remain the primary targets of this strategy.

The trades category draw on April 2 was a notable addition, issuing 3,000 ITAs at a CRS score of 477. This represents IRCC’s expansion into new occupational categories beyond the traditional Express Entry streams.

How to Check Your Express Entry Profile Competitiveness

If you are an Express Entry candidate wondering whether your CRS score makes you competitive for upcoming healthcare or social services draws, there are several steps you can take to assess your position.

First, log into your Express Entry account on the Government of Canada website to verify your current CRS score. Scores can change if you receive new language test results, educational credential assessments, or additional work experience entries.

For candidates in the healthcare and social services pool specifically, a CRS score above 475 gives you a reasonable chance of receiving an invitation in future category-based draws. However, given the upward trend from 467 to 475 between February and June, candidates should prepare for the possibility that cut-off scores could continue to rise.

Candidates with scores below 475 should consider strategies to improve their CRS ranking, such as retaking language tests for higher scores, obtaining additional credential assessments, or exploring provincial nominee program pathways that could add 600 points to their profile.

Tips for Healthcare Workers Applying Through Express Entry

Healthcare and social services workers looking to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry should follow these practical steps to maximize their chances of receiving an invitation.

Ensure your Express Entry profile is current and accurately reflects all work experience in healthcare roles. This includes positions as registered nurses, personal support workers, medical lab technicians, social workers, and other allied health professions that fall under the healthcare and social services occupational category.

Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for any foreign degrees or diplomas before submitting your Express Entry profile. Without an ECA, you cannot enter the pool and be considered for healthcare-specific draws.

Take your language tests (IELTS or CELPIP for English, TEF or TCF for French) as early as possible. Language scores make up a significant portion of your CRS ranking, and improving them by even one band can add substantial points to your total.

Consider applying through both healthcare category-based draws and French-language proficiency streams if you qualify. The dual approach increases your chances of receiving an invitation, as these draws operate independently with separate cut-off scores.

Keep your profile active by responding promptly to any requests from IRCC and updating your information. Candidates who created their profiles before the May 21, 2026 cutoff were eligible for the June 25 healthcare draw — staying ahead of future registration deadlines is critical.

What This Means for Canada’s Healthcare Immigration Goals

The June 25 Express Entry draw underscores the federal government’s continued focus on healthcare immigration as a cornerstone of Canada’s broader immigration strategy. With 8,000 ITAs issued to healthcare and social services workers across two draws in just six months, the government is clearly prioritizing this sector.

The increase in CRS cut-off scores from 467 to 475 between the February and June healthcare draws suggests that IRCC is becoming more selective within this category. This could reflect either a larger pool of qualified healthcare candidates or a deliberate strategy to target higher-scoring applicants who are likely to integrate more successfully into the Canadian labour market.

For prospective immigrants in healthcare professions, the message is clear: act early. The window of opportunity for lower-scoring candidates within this category may be narrowing as competition intensifies and cut-off scores continue their upward trajectory.