Canada Issues 500 Permanent Residency Invitations to Healthcare and Social Services Workers

Canada has invited 500 foreign nationals to apply for permanent residency under the Healthcare and Social Services Occupations category in the most recent Express Entry draw, held on June 4, 2025. This marks the second draw in this specific category, following the initial one conducted on May 2, 2025.

The draw, officially known as Express Entry Draw No. 349, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504, a slight decrease from the 510-point cutoff seen in the previous draw. The invitations were issued at 13:54:24 UTC, and the tie-breaking rule was applied for profiles submitted before March 31, 2025, at 06:47:23 UTC. This means only candidates with a CRS score of 504 or higher and who submitted their profiles before that time were invited to apply.

The Healthcare and Social Services Occupations category is part of Canada’s ongoing efforts to attract skilled professionals in critical sectors through category-based Express Entry draws. Eligible candidates must have:

• At least six months of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a relevant occupation within the last three years;
• Performed the actions described in the lead statement of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for the job;
• Completed a substantial number of the main duties, including all essential duties, as outlined in the NOC.

This draw reflects Canada's broader strategy to align immigration with labor market needs, especially in sectors facing workforce shortages.

Express Entry System Updates
The Express Entry system, a flagship pathway for skilled immigration to Canada, underwent significant changes in February 2025. A new “Education Occupation” category was introduced, and candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream—those with work experience in Canada—were given greater priority.

Additionally, on March 25, 2025, Canada removed job offer points from the CRS calculation for most candidates. This change applies to both current and future applicants, except those in Major Group 00 of the NOC (senior management roles eligible for 200 points) and certain skilled occupations (eligible for 50 points).

With the latest draw, Canada continues to demonstrate its commitment to streamlining immigration for professionals in essential services, addressing critical labor shortages, and adapting policy to ensure fair and efficient selection processes.

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