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Canada Invites 4,000 Healthcare and Social Service Workers for Permanent Residency
Canada is making it easier for foreign healthcare and social service workers to come and stay in the country. On July 22, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through the Express Entry system — the biggest draw of its kind so far this year.
What’s New?
The invitation targeted 37 jobs that are in high demand in healthcare and social services. The minimum CRS score needed to qualify dropped to 475, which is 29 points lower than the last similar draw in June.
This lower score means more people in these fields have a better chance of getting permanent residency.
Who Got the Invitation? Key Occupations Included:
- Registered nurses & psychiatric nurses
- General practitioners, family physicians
- Dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists
- Psychologists, social workers, counsellors
- Licensed practical nurses, medical technicians
- Paramedics, massage therapists, chiropractors
- Dietitians, audiologists, optometrists
- Pharmacy and therapy assistants
- Veterinary technicians and veterinarians
- Nurse aides and patient service associates
A full list of the 37 eligible NOC codes is available on the IRCC website.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered in this draw, applicants had to:
- Have an active Express Entry profile created before 1:08 p.m. UTC on March 13, 2025
- Have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience
- Have worked in one of the 37 targeted jobs, either in Canada or another country
Express Entry in July 2025: Quick Facts
This was the fourth Express Entry draw in July. Other draws were:
- July 21: 202 ITAs through the Provincial Nominee Program (CRS: 788)
- July 8: 3,000 ITAs through the Canadian Experience Class (CRS: 518)
- July 7: 356 ITAs through another PNP stream (CRS: 750)
Total ITAs issued in 2025 so far: 49,403
Total people in the pool as of July 20: 256,914
Why It Matters
Category-based draws provide people with lower CRS scores a genuine opportunity, particularly in critical fields such as healthcare and social services. Now, scores below 500 can be sufficient, making it easier for these professionals to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
What is the PNP?
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) enables provinces and territories (excluding Quebec and Nunavut) to select skilled workers who meet their specific job requirements. It’s another way to obtain permanent residency, often used in conjunction with the Express Entry program.
Final Thoughts
This change indicates that Canada is making an effort to address shortages in healthcare and community jobs. For qualified workers around the world, entering Canada is now easier — but it’s essential to act quickly and be prepared.