Express Entry Just Got Easier for Healthcare and Social Service Professionals

Good news for pharmacists, social workers, dental hygienists, and other healthcare professionals! You now have a better chance of getting Canadian permanent residency (PR) through category-based Express Entry draws.

On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made several changes to Express Entry categories, making it easier for certain occupations to qualify.

Let’s break it all down so you can check if you’re eligible.

What’s New in Express Entry?

IRCC has:

• Added a new category for Education occupations
• Removed the Transport category
• Expanded the Healthcare category to include Social Service occupations
  
  

This means professionals like pharmacists, dental hygienists, and social workers are now eligible for targeted Express Entry draws.

What Jobs Qualify Under the Updated Healthcare and Social Service Category?

Canada uses the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to group jobs based on duties and responsibilities.

Here are some of the jobs that now qualify under this updated category:

• Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
• Social Workers (NOC 41300)
• Dental Hygienists (NOC 32111)
• Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
• Veterinarians and Vet Technicians
• Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
• Community and Social Service Workers
• Psychologists and Counsellors
  
  

To see the full list of eligible NOC codes, visit IRCC’s official website.

How to Check if You’re Eligible

To qualify under the Healthcare and Social Services category, you must have:

1. At least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time).
2. Work experience within the last 3 years.
3. A job that matches one of the eligible NOC codes.

Follow these steps to confirm your eligibility:

Step 1: Find Your NOC Code
Go to the Government of Canada NOC website.
Search for your job title or related keywords.

Step 2: Match Your Job Duties
Click on the NOC code and read the job description.
Make sure your past work experience aligns with the main and essential duties listed.

Step 3: Visit the Express Entry Category-Based Selection Page
Check if your NOC code appears under the “Healthcare and Social Services” category.

Why Category-Based Draws Matter

If you qualify for a category-based draw, you may get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR with a lower CRS score.

·         For example:
In 2024, general draws had CRS cut-offs between 524 and 549,
but healthcare draws had lower cut-offs between 422 and 463.

So even if your CRS score isn’t high enough for a general draw, being in an in-demand profession could still get you invited!

How Express Entry Works

Express Entry is Canada’s system for managing PR applications under three programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
   
   

You must first meet the eligibility for one of these programs and create a profile.
Then, you're ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors like age, education, language skills, and work experience.

There are four types of Express Entry draws:

• General draws
• Program-specific draws
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws
• Category-based draws (like healthcare or STEM)
  
  

What Are the Express Entry Categories in 2025?

This year, IRCC is focusing on these six categories for targeted draws:

1. Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
2. Education Occupations
3. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Occupations
4. Trade Occupations
5. Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations
6. French-Language Proficiency

If your job falls into one of these categories, you may have a faster, easier path to permanent residency in Canada.