Canada has just issued draws under two brand-new Express Entry categories:

• Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026 – Version 3 (Draw #398, February 20, 2026)
• Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026 – Version 1 (Draw #397, February 19, 2026)

If you're an internationally trained nurse, doctor, or medical student in Canada — these draws are directly relevant to your PR pathway.

Why Did Canada Launch These Healthcare-Specific Draws?

Canada doesn't hold targeted draws without a reason. The healthcare system is under measurable strain — and immigration is now the primary policy response.

Here's the data behind the urgency:

• 42,045 nursing vacancies were recorded in Q2 2024 — a 147% increase over five years
• Canada has just 2.8 physicians per 1,000 people — well below the OECD average of 3.7
• In 2024, roughly 5.7 million Canadian adults reported not having a regular healthcare provider
• About 500,000 healthcare workers in Canada are projected to retire within the next decade
• Immigrants already account for 25% of registered nurses, 37% of physicians, and 43% of pharmacists in the country

Emergency rooms in Ontario and Alberta have faced closures due to staffing shortages. The Canadian Medical Association, provincial health ministries, and the federal government are all aligned: Canada cannot train enough healthcare workers domestically to close this gap. Immigration is the mechanism.

Category-based Express Entry draws were introduced specifically to pull qualified professionals from the pool at CRS scores far below what a general draw requires — and healthcare has been a priority category since 2023. The 2026 draws continue and deepen that approach.

Draw 1: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations, 2026 – Version 3

Draw Date: February 20, 2026

Draw Number: #398

ITAs Issued: 4,000

Minimum CRS Score: 467

Tie-Breaker Date: December 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM UTC

This is the largest healthcare draw in the past 12 months and the first of 2026. The CRS cut-off of 467 is 9 points lower than the previous healthcare draw (476), making it more accessible to mid-range profiles.

For context: the general CEC draw in the same week ran at CRS 508. Category-based draws consistently clear 40–80 points lower than general draws. That gap is your advantage as a healthcare professional.

What Changed in Version 3 vs Version 2?

The most significant change is the work experience threshold: Version 3 increased the minimum qualifying work experience from 6 continuous months to 12 months (full-time or part-time equivalent). This is a stricter standard, but IRCC still issued 4,000 ITAs — the largest draw volume in the category's history. The message is clear: Canada wants experienced healthcare workers, not just anyone with a few months in the field.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for this draw, you must:

1. Have an active Express Entry profile under FSW, CEC, or FST
2. Have at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience within the past 3 years in a single eligible healthcare or social services occupation
3. Meet the minimum CRS score at the time of the draw
4. This experience can be gained in Canada or abroad

Eligible Occupations (37 NOC Codes)

This category covers a broad range of healthcare and social services roles, including:

• Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (NOC 31301)
• Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)
• Nurse Practitioners (NOC 31302)
• Physicians — general, family, surgical, clinical/lab specialists
• Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
• Physiotherapists (NOC 31202)
• Occupational Therapists (NOC 31203)
• Dentists (NOC 31110)
• Medical Laboratory Technologists (NOC 32120)
• Personal Support Workers / Home Health Aides (NOC 44101)
• Social Workers (NOC 41300)
• Social and Community Service Workers (NOC 42201)
• Psychologists (NOC 31200)
• Paramedics (NOC 32102)

Always verify your specific NOC code against the official IRCC eligible occupations list — your job duties must match the NOC description, not just the title.

Draw 2: Physicians with Canadian Work Experience, 2026 – Version 1

Draw Date: February 19, 2026

Draw Number: #397

ITAs Issued: 391

Minimum CRS Score: 169 — the lowest in Express Entry history

Tie-Breaker Date: January 3, 2026

This is a physicians-only draw — and that CRS score of 169 is not a typo.

It is the lowest cut-off ever recorded in any Express Entry draw. Ever.

Why Is the CRS Score So Low?

The eligible pool is small. This draw requires 12 months of Canadian work experience as a physician, which rules out the vast majority of foreign-trained doctors who haven't yet worked in Canada. When IRCC ran this draw, they essentially invited every qualifying physician already in the pool.

A CRS of 169 means a doctor in their early 40s with average language scores and no Canadian education can qualify. Factors that typically hurt CRS scores — age deductions, missing Canadian education — matter almost nothing in this category.

Eligible Occupations (Physicians Only)

This is a narrow, targeted draw. Three NOC codes qualify:

• NOC 31100 — Specialists in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine
• NOC 31101 — Specialists in Surgery
• NOC 31102 — General Practitioners and Family Physicians

This draw does NOT include nurses, pharmacists, or allied health professionals. Those occupations fall under the Healthcare and Social Services draw above.

What the Government Said

This category was announced on December 8, 2025, by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, with the explicit goal of creating a clear PR pathway for foreign doctors already working in Canada on temporary permits. The government also reserved 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces to nominate licensed doctors with qualifying job offers, and confirmed that provincially nominated physicians qualify for expedited work permit processing within 14 days.

What This Means for International Nurses and Medical Students

If You're an Internationally Educated Nurse

You are eligible for the Healthcare and Social Services draw if you have 12 months of qualifying Canadian or foreign work experience as a registered nurse, practical nurse, or nurse practitioner. Your path:

1. Get your credentials assessed (NNAS for nurses — National Nursing Assessment Service)
2. Apply for provincial licensure (each province has its own regulatory body: CNO in Ontario, CRNBC in BC, etc.)
3. Begin working on a valid work permit (PGWP if you studied in Canada, or an employer-specific permit)
4. Once you have 12 months of eligible work experience, create or update your Express Entry profile
5. Watch for healthcare category draws — they have run every 1–3 months historically

CRS scores in this category have ranged from 422 to 481 since 2023. If your CRS is below 467 right now, improving your language score is the single most effective lever — even moving from CLB 8 to CLB 9 across all four abilities can add 20–30 CRS points.

If You're a Medical Student (or Recent Medical Graduate) Planning to Stay in Canada

If you're completing medical school or residency in Canada, here's your timeline:

• Complete your degree → Apply for PGWP
• Begin residency or clinical work → this counts toward the 12-month requirement
• Once you have 12 months of qualifying physician experience in Canada → you're eligible for the Physicians category draw
• With a CRS score as low as 169 clearing the first draw, your chance of getting an ITA is exceptionally high once you hit eligibility

The key constraint is provincial licensure. You must hold a valid medical license in the province where you work — provisional or full — to have your experience count. Work with your provincial medical regulatory body early.

If You're Working in Healthcare But Not Yet at the 12-Month Mark

Get your Express Entry profile created now, not later. The tie-breaker rule uses the date your profile was submitted. A profile created today positions you ahead of someone who creates theirs in three months, all else being equal. You don't need to be eligible yet — create the profile, update it when you hit 12 months.

Key Differences Between the Two Draws

Conclusion

Canada's healthcare system needs workers — and immigration policy now directly reflects that. The CRS of 467 for nurses and allied health professionals, and the historic 169 for physicians, signal that if you work in healthcare and are in Canada, PR is more accessible right now than at almost any point in the program's history.

The two actions that matter most: create your Express Entry profile today, and get your 12 months of qualifying experience as quickly as possible.

If you're unsure whether your NOC code qualifies, your CRS score is strong enough, or how to position your profile for the next draw, speak with a licensed RCIC before making decisions.