3,500 ITAs Issued in Third Healthcare Express Entry Draw of 2026

Key Takeaways

• Type of draw: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations 

• Invitations issued: 3,500 

• Minimum CRS score: 475 

• Tie-breaking rule: May 26, 2026 at 00:26:14 UTC 

• Prediction for next draw: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), September 14, 2026. Check our dedicated page for more on when we’re expecting the next Express Entry draw. 

Our Analysis of this Express Entry Draw 

Today’s draw is the third Healthcare and Social Services draw of 2026. IRCC invited 3,500 candidates with qualifying healthcare or social services experience to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum CRS score of 475.  

The CRS score cut off of 475 points was exactly the same as the June draw. The first healthcare and social services draw of 2026 in February had seen a slightly lower cut-off at 467. 

Both of 2026’s previous healthcare draws issued 4,000 ITAs – a record-high number for this category. Today’s draw saw that number fall slightly to 3,500 ITAs.  

So far in 2026, IRCC has invited a total of 11,500 healthcare candidates. For historical context, in 2025, 14,500 total invitations were issued in this category across the entire year. Draw sizes in 2025 ranged from 500 to 4,000 and cut-offs stayed between 462 and 510. 

One notable change for 2026 is the introduction of a new draw category for physicians with Canadian work experience. This runs as a separate category, pulling some candidates out of the broader healthcare pool. 

So far, IRCC has conducted three dedicated draws for physicians with Canadian experience — including one that was held yesterday. In all, 891 ITAs have been issued through the physicians category. 

What’s Next for Healthcare and Social Services Draws 

The healthcare and social services category targets a wide range of occupations, including registered nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dental hygienists, and medical laboratory technologists, among others. 

Healthcare draws don’t occur on a regular schedule, making them difficult to predict. In 2025, IRCC conducted seven separate healthcare draws. However, in 2024, only three healthcare draws took place.  

Since healthcare draws were introduced in 2023, the annual number of ITAs has increased each year: 5,600 in 2023, 10,250 in 2024, and 14,500 in 2025. If this trend continues, we can expect at least one more healthcare draw, as only 11,500 ITAs have been issued so far in 2026. That being said, it’s not guaranteed that ITA’s will continue increasing. 

CRS score cut-offs for healthcare and social services draws have also been pretty stable recently. [In the past seven healthcare draws, all cut-offs have landed between 462 and 475]. The highest ever CRS cut-off for the healthcare category was 510, in May 2025. The lowest was 422, in February 2024.  

As we inch closer to the end of the year, it’s possible Express Entry draws could slow down. The first half of 2026 set a record for the highest number of ITAs issued in the first six months of the year – nearly 90,000. It’s possible that IRCC will slow draws in the second half as they build enough processing inventory for 2026-2027. Keep an eye on the Moving2Canada feed to get a sense of the trends for the rest of the year.  

What This Means for You 

If you received an ITA today, you have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. 

If you did not receive an ITA and your score is near the cut-off, today’s result gives you a useful benchmark. The most important thing you can do while waiting is to make sure your profile is up to date and that you keep meeting the work experience requirement. 

To be eligible for healthcare and social services draws, your primary qualifying occupation for your Express Entry program (FSW, FST, or CEC) does not need to be in healthcare. You just need at least one year of healthcare or social services experience within the required timeframe. 

If your score is below the recent cut-offs, you may want to consider ways to increase your chances of immigration. For Express Entry, this might include options like pursuing a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or learning French to qualify for French-language draws. You may also want to consider alternatives to Express Entry.  

If you want help building a personalized immigration plan, consider booking a consultation with Moving2Canada’s in-house immigration consultant.  

Further Resources for Express Entry Candidates 

• Learn more about Healthcare and Social Services category draws 

• See the latest Express Entry draw results 

• Check the current state of the Express Entry pool 

• Use our CRS score calculator to see where you stand