Targeted Express Entry Draw: IRCC Invited 1,500 Healthcare Professionals on July 6, 2023

Candidates who applied under the Express Entry program have received invites from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In the latest draw, invitations were exclusively issued to candidates who were eligible for category-based selection in healthcare occupations. A total of 1,500 candidates received this invitation. To qualify, candidates had to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 463. It is interesting that among all the Express Entry invitation rounds held in 2023, this CRS score requirement is the least one.

As previously anticipated, the recent draw targeting healthcare professionals in the Express Entry program was in line with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) announcement from last week. The IRCC had officially confirmed that a round of invitations would be held this week specifically for 1,500 healthcare workers. This draw comes after the initial category-based draw on June 28, where 500 healthcare workers with a minimum CRS score of 476 were fortunate to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

In Canada, the contribution of immigrants to key healthcare professions is remarkable. Among registered nurses, immigrants comprise 23% of the workforce, while in the case of registered physicians, they account for 36%. Moreover, an impressive 54% of dental technologists are immigrants. These statistics highlight the significant reliance on immigration to address critical labor shortages in the country’s healthcare sector.

Overview of Previous Category–Based Draws

Continuing the trend of targeted draws, today’s invitations mark another significant milestone. These draws come right after the historic issuance of invitations to candidates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) on July 5. In the previous round, a total of 500  STEM candidates, with a minimum CRS score of 486, were selected to receive coveted Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an all-program draw on July 4, and issued invitations to 700 candidates. To qualify for this particular draw, candidates were required to possess a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511.