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On February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its fourth Express Entry draw of the week, marking a significant milestone by issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This brings the total number of ITAs issued across four draws in the week of February 16-20, 2026, to an extraordinary 10,670.
The focus of this particular draw was on healthcare and social services occupations, underscoring Canada’s continuous efforts to meet labor market demands, especially in the healthcare sector. If you are a healthcare professional looking to immigrate to Canada, this draw could be a game-changing opportunity.
Key Draw Details:
- Draw Date: February 20, 2026
- Number of ITAs Issued: 4,000
- Minimum CRS Score: 467
- Tie-Breaking Rule: December 9, 2025, at 18:22:06 UTC
Canada has taken a proactive approach to address its critical labor shortages, particularly in the healthcare sector, with this latest Express Entry draw. By issuing 10,670 ITAs this week alone, it demonstrates the government’s aggressive push to bring skilled professionals to fill essential positions.
Express Entry Draw Breakdown:
This week’s draws targeted different categories of candidates:
- February 16: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – 279 ITAs, CRS 789
- February 17: Canadian Experience Class – 6,000 ITAs, CRS 508
- February 19: Physicians (Canadian Experience) – 391 ITAs, CRS 169
- February 20: Healthcare & Social Services – 4,000 ITAs, CRS 467
This diverse approach across various categories ensures that candidates with different CRS scores have a chance to receive an ITA, increasing the inclusivity of the process.
Eligibility for Healthcare Draw
Candidates invited in the February 20th draw were required to meet specific criteria in addition to having a minimum CRS score of 467. Candidates must have had at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in one of the 37 eligible healthcare or social services occupations over the past 3 years. This experience can be from work completed either in Canada or abroad.
However, there have been some reports of candidates with only 6 months of experience in an eligible occupation receiving ITAs. While this is an unusual occurrence and could be a result of internal errors, it is essential to understand the eligibility criteria for this specific draw.
Healthcare Occupations Eligible for the Draw
The occupations targeted in the February 20th healthcare draw included a range of roles across TEER 1, TEER 2, and TEER 3 categories, including:
TEER 1 (Professional):
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- General practitioners, family physicians, and veterinarians
- Dentists, optometrists, and pharmacists
- Dietitians, nutritionists, psychologists
- Nurses, nurse practitioners, and social workers
TEER 2 (Technical):
- Licensed practical nurses
- Paramedical occupations, respiratory therapists
- Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- Medical laboratory technologists, dental hygienists
- Social service workers
TEER 3 (Support):
- Medical lab assistants
- Nurse aides and pharmacy assistants
What Happens After Receiving an ITA?
Once a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA), they must submit a complete permanent residence application within 60 days through their IRCC online account. It is crucial to meet this deadline; otherwise, the ITA will expire, and the candidate will need to re-enter the Express Entry pool.
The application will require extensive documentation, including:
- Proof of work experience in a healthcare or social services occupation
- Language test results
- Educational credential assessments
- Police certificates
- Medical examinations
- Proof of funds
Candidates in healthcare professions should also consider researching provincial licensing requirements, as these vary across Canadian provinces and professions.
Final Thoughts
The February 20th Express Entry draw is a powerful reminder of Canada’s ongoing commitment to welcoming skilled professionals, particularly in the healthcare sector, to meet its evolving labor market needs. If you meet the eligibility criteria and have received an ITA, now is the time to act and begin your application process.
As always, candidates looking to immigrate to Canada should ensure they meet all necessary requirements and stay up-to-date with the latest changes in Canada’s immigration policies.
