Canada’s immigration department has issued 3,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in healthcare and social services occupations through the Express Entry system.
Details of the September 4, 2026 draw
- Draw type: Healthcare and social services
- CRS cut‑off score: 475
- ITAs issued: 3,500
- Eligibility window: Candidates had to create an Express Entry profile before 12:26 a.m. UTC on May 26, 2026.
How the draw fits into 2026’s Express Entry activity
- This was the 53rd Express Entry draw of the year.
- Across all draw types, IRRC has issued 121,156 ITAs in 2026, broken down as follows:
| Draw type | ITAs issued (2026) |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class | 51,250 |
| French‑Language proficiency | 50,500 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 7,961 |
| Healthcare and social services | 11,500 |
| Trades | 3,000 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 891 |
| Senior Managers with Canadian work experience | 750 |
| Skilled Military Recruits | 4 |
- Healthcare and social services draws have occurred three times this year (June 25, February 20, and September 4), cumulatively issuing 11,500 ITAs.
Practical considerations for prospective applicants
- CRS score: A minimum of 475 was required for this draw; scores below this threshold were not eligible.
- Profile deadline: The profile creation deadline was May 26, 2026 (12:26 UTC). Late profiles are ineligible for this round.
- Occupation eligibility: Only candidates whose NOC (National Occupational Classification) codes fall under the healthcare and social services categories qualify.
- Competition: The CRS cut‑off reflects the level of competition among eligible candidates; higher scores improve the chance of receiving an ITA in future draws.
Outlook
Canada continues to prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience or provincial nominations, as reflected by the high volume of ITAs in those categories. Applicants in the healthcare and social services sector should monitor upcoming draws, maintain or improve their CRS score, and ensure their Express Entry profiles are up to date and submitted before any announced deadlines.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
