On September 4, 2026, IRCC invited 3,500 healthcare and social services workers to apply for permanent residence. The CRS cut-off was 475, and it was the third healthcare draw of 2026 (IRCC, Sept 2026).
This post covers who got in and why some people at exactly 475 still missed out. Then it lays out what to do if you scored lower, including the provincial routes that changed a lot this year.
Key takeaways
- IRCC invited 3,500 healthcare workers on September 4, 2026 at a CRS cut-off of 475. That was 500 fewer than in June, and the score did not move.
- Candidates at exactly 475 were invited only if their profile was created before May 26, 2026, at 00:26:14 UTC. Your profile date matters as much as your score.
- IRCC publishes no draw schedule. The 2026 gaps were 125 days and 71 days, so do not plan around a date.
- If you are more than 10 to 15 points under 475, waiting is the weakest plan. Raise your language score, add French, or pursue a provincial nomination (+600 CRS points).
- Provincial routes changed this year. Ontario closed its old streams in June 2026, and Alberta and Nova Scotia prioritize healthcare workers.
What happened in the September 4, 2026 healthcare draw?
IRCC held Express Entry Draw #441 on September 4, 2026, and invited 3,500 candidates in the healthcare and social services category. The cut-off was CRS 475, unchanged from June. Candidates had to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades program (IRCC, Sept 2026).
The draw came at the end of a busy week. IRCC also ran a provincial nominee draw on August 31, a Canadian Experience Class draw on September 1 and a physicians draw on September 3.
What was the CRS cut-off and how many ITAs were issued?
IRCC issued 3,500 ITAs at a minimum CRS score of 475 on September 4, 2026. It was Draw #441 (2026 Version 3) and the third healthcare and social services draw of the year. Every invited candidate needed at least 12 months of experience in one of the 37 eligible NOC codes (IRCC, Sept 2026).
That is 500 fewer invitations than in June, and the score did not move. If you were hoping a smaller draw would push the cut-off up, it did not.
Why did some candidates at CRS 475 miss out?
IRCC used a tie-break rule for candidates who scored exactly 475. Only those who created their Express Entry profile before May 26, 2026, at 00:26:14 UTC received an ITA. Candidates at 475 with a later profile date were not invited (Immigration.ca, Sept 2026).
That date is about 101 days before the draw, so there were more people sitting at 475 than there were invitations. Immigration.ca reports that IRCC’s August 30 pool snapshot showed 16,981 profiles in the 471 to 480 range. If you are at 475 or just below it, your profile date matters as much as your score.
How does this draw compare with February and June?
The September draw kept the cut-off at 475, the same as June, while inviting 500 fewer candidates. The gap between draws was 71 days, down from 125 days between February and June. Across all three 2026 draws, IRCC has invited 11,500 healthcare candidates (IRCC, Sept 2026).
| Draw | Date | ITAs | CRS cut-off | Days since previous draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #398 | February 20, 2026 | 4,000 | 467 | Not applicable |
| #422 | June 25, 2026 | 4,000 | 475 | 125 |
| #441 | September 4, 2026 | 3,500 | 475 | 71 |
timeline
title 2026 healthcare and social services draws
February 20 : Draw 398 : 4,000 ITAs : CRS 467
June 25 : Draw 422 : 4,000 ITAs : CRS 475
September 4 : Draw 441 : 3,500 ITAs : CRS 475
The cut-off has stayed in a tight band this year, between 467 and 475. That is good news if you sit close to the line. It is a real problem if you are 30 points short and hoping the number drops.
Who qualifies for the healthcare and social services category?
The healthcare and social services category is open to Express Entry candidates with 12 months of experience in one of 37 listed occupations. You must also qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades program. IRCC last updated the category page on June 22, 2026 (IRCC, June 2026).
If you are wondering whether your job counts, the answer comes down to three things: your NOC code, your dates and your program.
What are the eligibility requirements?
You need at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or an equal amount of part-time, in one eligible occupation within the past 3 years. The experience can come from Canada or abroad, and it does not need to be continuous.
You must also be eligible for the FSW, CEC or FST program before IRCC will rank you in this category (IRCC, June 2026).
Here is the checklist:
- 12 months of full-time work, or equal part-time, in the past 3 years
- All 12 months in a single occupation on the list
- An active Express Entry profile
- Eligibility for FSW, CEC or FST
The “single occupation” rule catches people out. You cannot add 6 months as a nurse to 6 months as a lab technologist. IRCC also says the occupation does not have to be your main job, as long as you have the hours in the past 3 years.
Each round has its own instructions on top of these rules, and that is where extras like the profile creation date come from. If you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your application (IRCC, June 2026).
Which NOC codes qualify for Express Entry healthcare and social services category?
IRCC lists 37 occupations in the healthcare and social services category, from physicians and nurses to pharmacy technicians and social workers. The list uses 2021 NOC codes across TEER 1, 2 and 3. If your occupation is not on it, you cannot be invited in this category, but you stay eligible for other rounds.
| Occupation | 2021 NOC code |
|---|---|
| Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 |
| Specialists in surgery | 31101 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 |
| Veterinarians | 31103 |
| Dentists | 31110 |
| Optometrists | 31111 |
| Audiologists and speech-language pathologists | 31112 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Dietitians and nutritionists | 31121 |
| Psychologists | 31200 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 |
| Physiotherapists | 31202 |
| Occupational therapists | 31203 |
| Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating | 31209 |
| Nursing coordinators and supervisors | 31300 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 |
| Nurse practitioners | 31302 |
| Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals | 31303 |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
| Paramedical occupations | 32102 |
| Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 |
| Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 |
| Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment | 32109 |
| Dental hygienists and dental therapists | 32111 |
| Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 |
| Medical radiation technologists | 32121 |
| Medical sonographers | 32122 |
| Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 32124 |
| Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 |
| Massage therapists | 32201 |
| Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
| Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants | 33103 |
| Social workers | 41300 |
| Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies | 41301 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 |
Match your NOC code by your duties, not your job title. Home support workers (NOC 44101) are not on the list. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102) are, so check which code fits what you actually do.
How is the physicians category different?
Physicians with Canadian work experience is a separate category for three NOC codes: 31100, 31101 and 31102. It requires 12 months of full-time Canadian experience in the past 3 years. The September 3, 2026 draw issued 229 ITAs at CRS 198 (IRCC, Sept 2026).
Those same three codes are also on the healthcare list. A physician with Canadian experience is eligible for both categories, and you can only be invited once. The first round that reaches your score is the one that counts.
A physician with only foreign experience cannot use the physicians category, but can still be ranked in healthcare draws at CRS 475.
| Criteria | Healthcare and social services | Physicians |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible NOC codes | 37 | 3 (31100, 31101, 31102) |
| Where experience counts | Canada or abroad | Canada only |
| 2026 draws | 3 | 3 |
| 2026 ITAs | 11,500 | 891 |
| 2026 CRS range | 467 to 475 | 169 to 223 |
What should you do if your CRS is below 475?
If you scored under 475, you have three levers: raise your CRS, get a provincial nomination, or qualify for the French-language draws. Waiting on the next healthcare draw is the weakest option. Which one fits depends on how many points you are short and what you already have.
Start with the math, and use our CRS calculator to check your own score. Then pick the lever that closes your gap fastest.
How can you raise your CRS score?
You can raise your CRS by improving your English score, adding French, gaining Canadian work experience, or claiming points already on your profile. The biggest jump for most people is reaching CLB 9 in all four English abilities.
The points below are for candidates without a spouse or partner, and they run slightly lower with one (IRCC, June 2026).
Step 1: Retake your English test to reach CLB 9 in all four abilities. Going from CLB 8 to CLB 9 adds 8 points per ability, or 32 in total. It can also add up to 50 more in skill transferability points.
Going from CLB 9 to CLB 10 adds only 3 points per ability, or 12 in total.
Step 2: Take a French test and aim for NCLC 7 in all four abilities. It adds 50 points if your English is CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities, and 25 points if your English is CLB 4 or lower or untested. It also makes you eligible for the French-language draws.
Step 3: Add Canadian work experience if you are working in Canada. The second year adds 13 points and the third year adds 11 more.
Step 4: Check your profile for points you may have missed. A brother or sister who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada adds 15. A Canadian post-secondary credential adds 15 for one or two years of study and 30 for three years or more.
Step 5: Apply for a provincial nomination. It adds 600 points, so an ITA follows in the next federal PNP draw (IRCC, June 2026). The provincial routes for healthcare workers are covered in the next section. Our Canada PNP guide has more detail.
Here is one example, with the math shown. Say you are single, hold a bachelor’s degree and have 3 years of foreign work experience. You score CLB 8 in all four abilities and retest at CLB 9.
- Language points: 4 abilities × (31 minus 23) = 32
- Education plus language transferability: 13 up to 25 = 12
- Foreign experience plus language transferability: 25 up to 50 = 25
- Total: 32 + 12 + 25 = 69 points
One more thing. A job offer no longer adds CRS points. IRCC removed them on March 25, 2025 (IRCC, March 2025).
Should you wait for the next healthcare draw?
If you are more than 10 to 15 points under 475, waiting is a weak plan. IRCC publishes no schedule for healthcare draws, and the gaps in 2026 were 125 days and then 71 days. Across the past seven healthcare draws, every cut-off landed between 462 and 475 (Moving2Canada, Sept 2026).
That range is tight, but it is not a promise. The highest healthcare cut-off ever was 510 in May 2025, and the lowest was 422 in February 2024 (Moving2Canada, Sept 2026). One tracker guesses the next draw will come around November. Nobody outside IRCC knows.
Here is what we tell clients:
- Within 10 to 15 points: retake your language test first. It may close the gap before the next draw.
- Further away: start a French or provincial plan now, and keep your profile active while you work on it.
Are French-language draws a faster route?
For most healthcare workers who can qualify, yes. IRCC has held 10 French-language draws in 2026 and invited 50,500 candidates. The lowest cut-off was 382 on August 19 (IRCC, Aug 2026).
You need NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities. The August 19 draw invited 5,000 candidates at 382, which is 93 points below the healthcare cut-off of 475 on September 4. If you already speak French, or your home country uses it, it deserves a serious look before the next healthcare cycle.
If you are starting from zero, it is a long road, so weigh it against a provincial nomination.
A score gap of 20 or 30 points can feel impossible, but it often has a fix. A short assessment can show you the fastest one for your profile.
Which provinces nominate healthcare workers in 2026?
At least six provinces have a clear healthcare route in 2026: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. A nomination linked to an Express Entry profile adds 600 CRS points. Each province sets its own rules, and several redesigned their programs this year.
The right route depends on where you work now and whether you have a job offer.
| Province | Healthcare route | Latest activity checked |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Dedicated Health Care Pathway and Express Entry Stream health care draws | Sept 18: 100 invitations at score 62. Sept 9: 51 at score 60 |
| British Columbia | Health Authority stream and targeted Care invitations | Program page updated June 17, 2026 |
| Manitoba | MPNP health occupations draws | Sept 10: 233 health invitations |
| Nova Scotia | Top priority level for healthcare | Priorities set April 27, 2026 |
| Ontario | Ontario Workforce Priority stream (job offer needed) | Application portal opened Aug 4 |
| Saskatchewan | Healthcare is a priority sector | 2026 sector-based allocation |
The scores in the Alberta row are Alberta’s own expression of interest scores, not CRS scores.
flowchart TD
A[Where are you working now?] --> B{In Canada or abroad?}
B -->|Abroad| C[Nova Scotia top priority level
Saskatchewan Occupation In-Demand
Manitoba recruitment invitation]
B -->|In Canada| D{Which province?}
D -->|Ontario| E[Workforce Priority stream
job offer needed]
D -->|Alberta| F[Dedicated Health Care Pathway
or health care sector draws]
D -->|British Columbia| G[Health Authority stream
or targeted Care invitations]
D -->|Manitoba| H[MPNP health occupations draws]
D -->|Nova Scotia| I[Top priority level for healthcare]
D -->|Saskatchewan| J[Priority sector: healthcare]
Is Ontario still an option after the OINP redesign?
Yes, but mostly through an employer. Ontario closed all eight of its old streams in June 2026 and replaced them with the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, which needs a full-time, permanent job offer for most applicants. Self-employed physicians are the exception (Ontario.ca, Aug 2026).
The job-offer pathways work like this:
- TEER 0 to 3: CLB 6 (CLB 5 for certain occupations), plus a post-secondary degree or diploma.
- TEER 4 to 5: CLB 4, 9 months of experience in the last 2 years, and a Canadian secondary school diploma.
Self-employed physicians need no job offer. They must be in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, hold an eligible certificate of registration and be able to bill OHIP. Ontario opened the new stream’s expression of interest portal on August 4.
Its update page, last changed that day, lists no invitation rounds under the stream yet.
The old system was more healthcare-friendly. On April 8, 2026, Ontario invited 1,635 candidates in healthcare and early childhood education occupations. Those streams are closed now. Law firms report that a Priority Healthcare stream is planned for a second phase, but I found no official rules or dates for it.
Ontario also closed its three Express Entry streams, and its page does not say whether new nominations link to an Express Entry profile. Confirm that before you plan around the 600 points.
How does Alberta’s Dedicated Health Care Pathway work?
Alberta runs a Dedicated Health Care Pathway with separate draws for Express Entry and non-Express Entry candidates. Nominees through the Express Entry version receive 600 CRS points. The latest Express Entry round, on September 9, invited 51 candidates at a minimum score of 60 (Alberta.ca and Immigration.ca, Sept 2026).
Alberta also holds Express Entry Stream draws for the health care priority sector. The September 18 round invited 100 candidates at a score of 62, and an August 4 round invited 50 at 66. Alberta says a score is not the only factor and does not publish its draw parameters.
Space is tightening. Alberta has issued 5,221 of its 6,603 nominations for 2026. The health care pathways have 518 nominations allocated and 187 left. Practice-ready physicians (NOC 31100, 31101 and 31102) and French speakers with NCLC 5 in all four abilities may be nominated through extra federal spaces that do not count toward Alberta’s allocation.
How does Saskatchewan treat healthcare workers?
Healthcare is one of seven priority sectors in Saskatchewan’s 2026 program, and at least 50 percent of all nominations are reserved for those sectors. Healthcare workers can apply through the International Skilled Worker category, which includes an Occupation In-Demand sub-category that does not require a job offer.
Saskatchewan scores candidates on its own SINP points grid, not on your CRS (Saskatchewan.ca and Immigration.ca, 2026).
The other priority sectors are agriculture, skilled trades, energy, mining and minerals, manufacturing and technology. Saskatchewan also reserves at least 750 nominations for graduates of its own post-secondary institutions who have a priority-sector job offer. Check your NOC code on the SINP site before you file an expression of interest.
What are British Columbia’s healthcare routes?
BC has two healthcare routes: the Health Authority stream and targeted Care invitations for health occupations. Neither uses your CRS score, and both follow BC’s own rules.
If your job is nurse aide, orderly or patient service associate (NOC 33102), you must be on the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry to receive a targeted invitation (WelcomeBC, June 2026).
The Health Authority stream is for healthcare workers employed by a BC health authority. Its eligible list runs from physicians and nurses to lab technologists, pharmacy technicians and social workers. Two occupations carry conditions.
Dental assistants (NOC 33100) must hold a BC licence, and social and community service workers (NOC 42201) need a diploma or degree in social services or community health services.
How does Nova Scotia prioritize healthcare workers?
Nova Scotia puts healthcare workers at its top priority level for 2026. It is the only level open to both international applicants and temporary residents already in the province, and it covers healthcare occupations in TEER 0 to 4.
The province selects candidates from an expression of interest pool and sends Letters of Interest (CIC News and Immigration.ca, 2026).
Nova Scotia announced these priorities on April 27, 2026. Most other sectors are limited to people already living and working in the province, and TEER 5 occupations are not prioritized. If you are overseas and in healthcare, this is one of the more direct provincial routes.
Does Manitoba nominate healthcare workers?
Yes, but the health draws target people already working in Manitoba. On September 10, 2026, the MPNP sent 233 Letters of Advice to Apply to candidates employed in Manitoba in health occupations, out of 793 in that draw.
The 41 invitations for Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas profiles went to candidates tied to strategic recruitment initiatives (Manitoba Immigration, Sept 2026).
Manitoba changes its focus from draw to draw. Draw #279 covered health occupations, and draw #280 on September 24 issued only one invitation to a family physician among its larger occupational groups. If you are overseas, a direct invitation from Manitoba’s recruitment team is the realistic way in.
Not sure which route fits your score? For personalized guidance on your healthcare profile, use the button below to reach Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319.
Frequently asked questions about the September 2026 healthcare draw
When is the next healthcare Express Entry draw?
IRCC has not announced the next healthcare draw, and it does not publish a schedule. The gaps between 2026 healthcare draws were 125 days and then 71 days. If the 71-day gap repeated, the next draw would land in mid-November, but that is arithmetic, not a forecast (IRCC, Sept 2026).
One tracker also expects the next round around November. Nobody outside IRCC knows the date, the size or the cut-off. The best use of the wait is to raise your score, not to guess.
What NOC codes are included in the healthcare and social services category?
IRCC lists 37 occupations in the healthcare and social services category, all in TEER 1, 2 or 3. They include registered nurses (31301), licensed practical nurses (32101), physicians (31100 to 31102), pharmacists (31120), medical laboratory technologists (32120) and social workers (41300). The full table is earlier in this post (IRCC, June 2026).
Match your code by your duties, not your job title. If your NOC is not on the list, you can still be invited in other rounds.
Does a provincial nomination guarantee an ITA?
A nomination linked to your Express Entry profile adds 600 points, which makes an ITA very likely, but it is not a formal guarantee. Provincial nominee draws in 2026 ran between CRS 697 and 805, and IRCC decides the timing and size of each round. Your base score still matters (IRCC, Sept 2026).
Here is the math. The lowest 2026 cut-off was 697, so 697 minus 600 = 97. The highest was 805, so 805 minus 600 = 205. A nominee with a base score of 205 or more would have cleared every provincial nominee draw this year.
A nominee at 100 (700 with the bonus) would have cleared only the August 31 draw.
IRCC has held these draws about every two weeks. Some provincial streams are not linked to Express Entry at all. Those nominees apply directly to IRCC and get no CRS points. Alberta, for example, runs both Express Entry and non-Express Entry versions of its health pathway.
Can I apply if I am not yet working in Canada?
Yes. Work experience from abroad counts for the healthcare category, as long as you meet the Federal Skilled Worker requirements.
Those include at least 1 year of continuous paid skilled work, or 1,560 hours, in the last 10 years, language at CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities, and a score of at least 67 on the FSW selection grid (IRCC, Sept 2026).
There are three more points to check:
- Foreign education needs an Educational Credential Assessment.
- You must show proof of funds, unless you can legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer.
- The healthcare category itself counts 12 months in one listed occupation within the past 3 years, and it does not need to be continuous.
If you already work in Canada on a work permit, the Canadian Experience Class may fit better than the FSW.
Why did the CRS cut-off stay at 475?
IRCC does not explain its cut-offs. The pool data helps, though. A snapshot dated August 30 showed 16,981 profiles between 471 and 480, so a lot of candidates sit right around 475.
When the invitations run out inside a dense band, IRCC uses profile creation date as the tie-break, which is what happened on September 4 (Immigration.ca, Sept 2026).
The pattern is steady. Across the past seven healthcare draws, every cut-off has landed between 462 and 475 (Moving2Canada, Sept 2026). Fewer invitations in September did not move the number. It only made the tie-break matter.
Every profile is different. For personalized guidance on your next step, contact Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319.
Sources
- IRCC, Express Entry rounds of invitations
- IRCC, Category-based selection
- IRCC, Who can apply for Express Entry
- Ontario.ca, 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program updates
- Alberta.ca, Alberta Advantage Immigration Program processing information
- WelcomeBC, BC Provincial Nominee Program
Related reading
- Express Entry draws 2026: full results tracker
- Express Entry healthcare draws 2026: full CRS breakdown
- Express Entry category-based selection explained
This article is general information, not legal advice. Draw data was checked on September 25, 2026. IRCC and provincial rules can change without notice.
