In an effort to alleviate labour shortages within its healthcare sector, Canada has recently conducted a healthcare-focused Express Entry draw. On November 20, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency specifically targeting healthcare professionals. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was set at 463.
Healthcare Roles Targeted in the Draw
This special draw aimed to attract candidates holding various healthcare positions such as:
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- General practitioners and family physicians
- Dentists
- Physiotherapists
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Licensed practical nurses
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
The initiative underscores Canada’s commitment to strengthening its healthcare workforce amid persistent labour shortages.
Steps for Healthcare Professionals Applying through Express Entry
Foreign nationals aspiring to secure Canadian permanent residency via this pathway must navigate a multi-staged process.
- Before receiving an ITA:
Prospective candidates must create an accurate and detailed Express Entry profile. This includes documenting educational background, work experience, language proficiency scores, and any provincial nominations. The profile is entered into the Express Entry pool and ranked using the CRS. No fee is required at this initial stage.
- After Receiving an ITA:
Successful candidates must submit a comprehensive permanent residency application within 60 days of receiving an ITA. This involves paying associated fees and providing necessary supporting documentation such as police certificates, medical examinations, and proof of financial capability.
Express Entry draws typically take place biweekly; however, the precise timing and number of ITAs issued may vary depending on government announcements.
Recent Developments in Express Entry Draws
This targeted healthcare draw follows a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on November 19 and a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on November 18, marking a busy period for Canada’s immigration activities. Over the past two weeks, IRCC has issued a cumulative total of 1,933 ITAs across CEC, PNP, and French-language proficiency categories.
Canada’s 2025 Immigration Targets
As part of the latest Immigration Levels Plan, Canada plans to increase its federal immigration targets for 2025. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to admit a total of 124,680 candidates through the Express Entry system.
The government will reserve over 82,000 spots for a new category called the “In-Canada Focus.” This category prioritizes candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) but also considers individuals from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and those aligned with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Express Entry streams.
The government has allocated the remaining 41,700 permanent residence admissions to the “Federal Economic Priorities” category. This category focuses on attracting candidates with expertise in occupations currently in high demand within Canada.
Express Entry
Express Entry serves as Canada’s online application management system for economic immigration programs. It encompasses the following programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks candidates based on various factors such as age, language proficiency, education, work experience, and adaptability. Candidates can earn additional points by having a sibling in Canada, applying with a spouse or partner, or combining Canadian education and work experience with foreign credentials.
Furthermore, obtaining a provincial nomination through enhanced PNP streams grants an additional 600 CRS points, significantly enhancing a candidate’s likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
November 2024 Express Entry Draws
Recent Express Entry draw results exemplify the system’s functioning:
- On November 20: A draw focusing on healthcare occupations led to 3,000 ITAs being issued with a CRS cutoff of 463.
- On November 19: The Canadian Experience Class draw saw 400 ITAs issued with a CRS score requirement of 539.
- On November 18: Provincial Nominee Program candidates received 174 ITAs requiring CRS scores of 816.
- On November 15: Proficiency in French was spotlighted with 800 ITAs issued at a CRS cutoff of 478.
- On November 13: A second Canadian Experience Class draw for the month resulted in another set of 400 ITAs with a higher CRS threshold of 547.
- On November 12: An earlier PNP focused draw provided 733 ITAs necessitating CRS scores of at least 812.
