CRS Falls Below 500 in IRCC’s Major Healthcare Draw for Canada
Canada has recently conducted an exciting Express Entry draw on July 22, offering 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) targeted at healthcare and social services occupations. This time, the minimum score required on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) dropped to 475, which is a significant decrease of 29 points from the previous healthcare-focused draw held on June 4, 2025.
Prior to this draw, on July 21, Canada issued 202 ITAs through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where the minimum CRS score stood at 788. The PNP is a pathway that allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who want to settle in their regions based on local labour market needs.
Recent Draws Overview
This year has seen quite a variety in draws. Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s happened so far in 2025:
- 13 PNP draws
- Seven Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws
- Three draws aimed at those with French language skills
- One draw focused on education professions
- Three healthcare and social services draws
In 2024, Canada held the following draws:
- Nine all-program draws
- 11 draws tailored for French speakers
- One draw for transport jobs
- One for agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Three draws for healthcare roles
- One for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) occupations
- 14 PNP draws
- 10 CEC draws
- Two for trade occupations
In total, Canada has issued 49,403 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025 alone, following an impressive 98,903 in 2024. In fact, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has consistently increased the number of ITAs issued in recent years, showing an encouraging trend for prospective immigrants.
The latest draw also utilized a tie-breaking rule implemented on March 13, 2025, at 9:08 AM EST. If multiple candidates held the same minimum CRS score, only those who submitted their profiles before that cutoff received invitations.
Opportunities for Employers
For Canadian employers looking to recruit international talent, securing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a nomination through the PNP is essential. The LMIA demonstrates that the hiring of a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian job market, which is vital for securing skilled employees.
At VisaJobsCanada.com, we focus specifically on connecting Canadian employers with qualified candidates from abroad. Through our services, employers can seamlessly navigate the recruitment process, ensuring they meet both their staffing and immigration needs.
Steps for Candidates
If you are an international job seeker dreaming of moving to Canada, having a valid job offer can greatly enhance your chances of receiving an ITA in upcoming draws. Consider researching employers who are open to sponsorship. Our website at VisaJobsCanada.com features job listings that explicitly mention visa support, making it easier for you to find opportunities that align with your career goals.
To get started, why not check if you qualify for Canada by completing our free online evaluation? Within just a day or two, you’ll receive your results, helping you gauge your options for working and living in Canada.
What do you think?
Have a question about this topic or your own plans to move to Canada? Scroll down and leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you.
