Great news for healthcare and social service workers!
In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue to prioritize healthcare and social service occupations under the Express Entry system. This year alone, 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have already been issued under this category.
The latest draw had a CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) cut-off score of 475, giving many skilled workers in this sector a strong chance at Canadian permanent residence.
Why Healthcare and Social Services Are a Priority
Canada is facing an ongoing demand for healthcare professionals and social service workers. By creating a special category-based draw for these occupations, IRCC is:
- Filling urgent gaps in hospitals, clinics, and community care.
- Supporting Canada’s aging population and growing healthcare needs.
- Providing faster pathways for qualified foreign workers in these fields.
What Canada Prefers in Healthcare & Social Service Applicants
From these examples, it’s clear that Canada highly values applicants who can bring:
- Relevant Work Experience – At least 6 months of continuous full-time experience in a healthcare or social service role.
- Education in Healthcare/Social Work – Diplomas, degrees, or certifications related to the field.
- Strong Language Skills – High scores in English (CLB 9–10) and/or French (NCLC 7+) add major points.
- Canadian Education & Experience – Completing a program or gaining work experience in Canada greatly boosts CRS points.
- Spousal Factors – If your spouse has education, work experience, or good language skills, it increases your total score.
Key Takeaway
With the CRS cut-off at 475, many skilled workers in healthcare and social services now have a much better chance of being invited for Canadian permanent residence.
If you are a nurse, social worker, personal support worker, therapist, or other healthcare/social service professional, now is the best time to apply under Express Entry.
Make sure your work experience is continuous for at least six months in one eligible occupation, and focus on improving language scores for higher CRS points. For further assistance contact Asif Consulting.
