Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made significant updates to the Express Entry system, opening new opportunities for healthcare and social service professionals to obtain Canadian permanent residence (PR). As of February 27, 2025, pharmacists, social workers, dental hygienists, and many other professionals can now qualify for category-based draws, improving their chances of selection.
Key Changes in Express Entry Categories
IRCC has:
- Introduced a new Education category
- Removed the Transport category
- Expanded the Healthcare category to include Social Services professions
This change reflects Canada’s growing need for healthcare and social service workers, creating more pathways for professionals in these fields to immigrate.
Eligible Healthcare and Social Service Professions
Canada classifies occupations using the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system, which assigns codes based on job roles. Below is a table listing all occupations eligible under the updated Healthcare and Social Services Category:
| Job Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 |
| Audiologists and speech-language pathologists | 31112 |
| Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 |
| Dental hygienists and dental therapists | 32111 |
| Dentists | 31110 |
| Dieticians and nutritionists | 31121 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
| Massage therapists | 32201 |
| Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 |
| Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 |
| Medical radiation technologists | 32121 |
| Medical sonographers | 32122 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates | 33102 |
| Nurse practitioners | 31302 |
| Nursing coordinators and supervisors | 31300 |
| Occupational therapists | 31203 |
| Optometrists | 31111 |
| Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 |
| Paramedical occupations | 32102 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 32124 |
| Physiotherapists | 31202 |
| Psychologists | 31200 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 |
| Respiratory therapists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 |
| Social workers | 41300 |
| Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 |
| Specialists in surgery | 31101 |
| Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies | 41301 |
| Veterinarians | 31103 |
Steps to Determine Your Eligibility
To qualify under the Healthcare and Social Services Category, you must have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in one of the above-listed occupations within the past three years.
How to Check Your NOC Code
- Visit the Government of Canada’s NOC website – Use the search bar to find your job title and corresponding NOC code.
- Verify on the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website – Check if your job duties match those listed under your NOC code.
- Confirm your eligibility on the Express Entry category-based selection page – Ensure your NOC is listed under Healthcare and Social Services.
Why Category-Based Express Entry Increases Your Chances
Category-based draws allow candidates with in-demand skills to be selected at lower CRS scores than in general draws.
For example, in 2024:
- General Express Entry draws required CRS scores between 524 and 549.
- Healthcare category draws had CRS cut-offs between 422 and 463.
This means professionals in healthcare and social services have a greater chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) even with lower CRS scores.
Express Entry: How It Works
Canada’s Express Entry system is used to manage immigration applications for three main programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates submit a profile and are ranked based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Those with the highest scores receive an ITA for permanent residence.
Different Types of Express Entry Draws
IRCC conducts different types of Express Entry draws:
| Type of Draw | Description |
| General Draw | Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited |
| Program-Specific Draw | Focuses on CEC, FSWP, or FSTP candidates |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw | Invites candidates nominated by a province |
| Category-Based Draw | Targets candidates with specific occupations or skills |
Current Express Entry Categories (2025)
The Immigration Professional notes that this year, IRCC has established six Express Entry categories:
| Express Entry Category | Focus |
| Healthcare and Social Services | Medical professionals, nurses, therapists, and social workers |
| Education | Teachers and education-related professionals |
| STEM | Science, technology, engineering, and math occupations |
| Trade | Skilled trade workers |
| Agriculture & Agri-Food | Farming, agriculture, and food production roles |
| French-Language Proficiency | Candidates with strong French skills |
With these updates, professionals in healthcare and social services have a better pathway to securing Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry.
Need Help with Your Immigration Process?
If you’re interested in applying for Express Entry under the Healthcare and Social Services category, get expert guidance from The Immigration Professional.
