Exciting news for healthcare and social service professionals! Canada has expanded its Express Entry category-based draws, increasing opportunities for pharmacists, social workers, dental hygienists, and many other professionals to secure permanent residency (PR).
On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced major changes to Express Entry, including:
✅ A new Express Entry category (Education)
✅ The removal of the Transport category
✅ Significant updates to the occupations eligible under existing categories
One of the biggest changes? The Healthcare category now includes Social Services occupations, giving more professionals a direct pathway to Canadian PR.
Updated List: Eligible Occupations Under the Healthcare and Social Services Category
Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to categorize jobs based on duties and responsibilities. Below is the updated list of Healthcare and Social Services occupations eligible for Express Entry category-based draws in 2025.
If your occupation appears on this list, you may be eligible for Express Entry category-based draws and have a higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR!
How to Check If Your Work Experience Qualifies for Express Entry Healthcare & Social Services Category
To qualify for this Express Entry category, you must have at least six months of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in one of the listed NOC occupations within the last three years.
Step-by-Step Guide to Determine Your Eligibility:
Step 1: Find Your NOC Code
Visit the Government of Canada’s NOC page
Enter your job title in the search bar
If you don’t find a match, try synonyms (e.g., “counselor” instead of “therapist”)
Take note of the NOC code and TEER level
Step 2: Verify Your NOC Duties
Visit the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website
Search by NOC code and read the main duties section
Ensure your work experience aligns with the lead statement and that you’ve performed a substantial number of main duties
Step 3: Check Express Entry Category Eligibility
Visit the Express Entry category-based selection page
Select “Healthcare and Social Service Occupations“
If your NOC code is listed, you may qualify for category-based draws!
Why Category-Based Express Entry Draws Give You a Better Chance at PR
Category-based draws increase your chances of getting an ITA for PR because:
✅ You compete only with applicants in your category (not all Express Entry candidates)
✅ The CRS score cut-off is usually lower than general draws
✅ More ITAs are issued to candidates in in-demand professions
For example, in 2024:
📌 General Express Entry CRS cut-off: 524 – 549
📌 Healthcare Express Entry CRS cut-off: 422 – 463
If your CRS score is below the general cut-off, you still have a strong chance of receiving an ITA through category-based selection!
How Does Express Entry Work?
Express Entry is Canada’s primary system for selecting skilled workers for PR. It manages three programs:
1️⃣ Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
2️⃣ Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
3️⃣ Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates submit a profile and receive a CRS score based on age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
There are four types of Express Entry draws:
🔹 General Draws (Highest CRS scores overall)
🔹 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws
🔹 Program-Specific Draws (CEC, FSWP, or FSTP)
🔹 Category-Specific Draws (Based on work experience or language skills)
New Express Entry Categories for 2025:
✅ Healthcare & Social Services
✅ Education
✅ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
✅ Trades
✅ Agriculture & Agri-Food
✅ French-Language Proficiency
Need Help Applying? Contact NextGen Overseas & AAR Overseas Today!
If you’re a healthcare or social service professional aiming to move to Canada, NextGen Overseas and AAR Overseas offer end-to-end guidance—from profile creation to ITA support and final PR filing.
✅ Free Profile Assessment
✅ CRS Optimization
✅ Job Matching & NOC Verification
✅ Documentation & Submission Support
📞 Book Your Free Consultation Now
🌐 Visit: www.nextgenoverseas.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
About Us
Meet Us
3A-156, Ground Floor, Near DAV College, K.L. Mehta Road, Faridabad – 121001, INDIA
Call Us
+91 9811318899
Write Us
Sign in to leave a comment.