Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to recruiting skilled healthcare workers from abroad. The IRCC is running targeted Express Entry draws for five priority professions under the Healthcare and Social Services Occupations category. These professions include nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, and social workers. All five fall under TEER Category 1 of the National Occupational Classification system.
The five prioritized professions are among 37 eligible occupations within the broader healthcare and social services draw category. This category also covers registered nurses, physicians, and physiotherapists, among others. In the most recent healthcare draw held on September 4, 2026, IRCC issued 3,500 invitations to apply at a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 475. This cut-off was 46 points lower than a comparable Canadian Experience Class draw conducted in the same period.
The category-based selection system allows IRCC to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates whose skills match identified labour gaps. This system offers qualified health professionals an advantage over general draws. Canada is looking for skilled healthcare and social service professionals to complement its workforce and provide essential services to Canadians. The IRCC encourages foreigners with the training, credentials, and experience in healthcare and social services to explore immigration pathways and build their future in Canada.
A significant policy change took effect in 2026, increasing the minimum work experience required for category-based draws from six months to one full year. Applicants must now show at least 12 months of full-time work, or its part-time equivalent, in an eligible occupation within the previous three years. This experience may have been gained either in Canada or overseas. To enter the pool, foreign nationals must first create an Express Entry profile and qualify for at least one of three federal economic immigration programmes.
Beyond the general healthcare category, IRCC introduced a distinct draw stream exclusively for physicians with Canadian work experience. Its inaugural draw in early 2026 recorded an exceptionally low CRS cut-off of 169, reflecting the acute demand for doctors specifically. This stream operates under separate eligibility criteria and is distinct from the broader healthcare and social services draw.
Canada's broader immigration strategy for 2026 marks a deliberate pivot away from high-volume general intake towards targeted selection tied directly to labour shortages in critical sectors. Healthcare remains among the country's most pressing priorities. The IRCC recently revealed the latest Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw, which issued 2,000 invitations to candidates seeking permanent residence.
The draw set the CRS cut-off at 519 points, marking the third consecutive decline from the 2026 peak. Competition remained intense at the cutoff, with a tie-breaking timestamp dating back to March 26, 2026. Candidates who scored exactly 519 points needed to have submitted their profiles before that date to receive an invitation. Foreigners invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence can now explore opportunities in the country's healthcare sector.
Key points
- Canada prioritizes five healthcare professions in Express Entry draws.
- The minimum work experience required for category-based draws increased to one full year.
- Canada's immigration strategy focuses on targeted selection tied to labour shortages in critical sectors.
