New Opportunities for Healthcare and Social Service Workers to Get Canadian PR
Exciting Changes to Express Entry Categories
On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made significant updates to the Express Entry system, opening new doors for various professionals. Pharmacists, social workers, and dental hygienists now have better chances to secure Canadian permanent residence (PR) through category-based draws. These changes also introduced a new category for Education occupations and removed the Transport category, providing more targeted pathways for skilled workers.
How the Healthcare and Social Service Category Has Expanded
The healthcare category has now been broadened to include social service occupations as well. This means that more professionals in these fields, including social workers, can qualify for PR under Express Entry. As part of these updates, IRCC also refined the list of eligible occupations under the existing categories. This article will explain:
- Which occupations qualify under the new healthcare and social service category
- How to determine if your work experience makes you eligible
- A list of newly eligible jobs with examples
- How these changes increase your chances of receiving PR
What Occupations Qualify for the Updated Healthcare and Social Service Category?
Canada uses the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to categorize jobs. Under the updated rules, healthcare and social service occupations now include a broader range of roles, expanding opportunities for many professionals.
Table
Increased Chances of Receiving PR with Category-Based Draws
If you qualify for a category-based draw, your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR increase significantly. This is because these draws are less competitive than general draws. For example, in 2024, the CRS score cut-off for general draws ranged between 524 and 549, while the healthcare occupations’ cut-off was between 422 and 463. This means professionals in in-demand fields like healthcare have a much higher chance of receiving an ITA, even with a lower CRS score.
How Express Entry Works
Under the Express Entry system, foreign nationals cannot apply for PR directly. They must first create an Express Entry profile, meet the eligibility criteria for one of the federal immigration programs (Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program), and be invited to apply through an ITA. Candidates are ranked based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which considers factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Express Entry draws happen regularly, and those with the highest CRS scores who meet eligibility criteria are invited to apply for PR. After receiving an ITA, candidates have 60 days to submit their complete PR application.
Types of Express Entry Draws
Express Entry draws can be:
- General
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Program-Specific
- Category-Specific
Category-based draws are designed to focus on individuals with specific skills or experience that match Canada’s economic needs.
How to Determine if Your Work Experience Qualifies
To be eligible for the healthcare and social service category, you need at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or the equivalent part-time) in a qualifying occupation within the last three years. Here’s how you can check if your work experience meets the requirements:
- Visit the NOC page: Find your occupation and its corresponding NOC code.
- Check your duties: Make sure your experience matches the main duties listed in the NOC.
- Confirm eligibility: Visit the Express Entry category-based selection page and check if your occupation is listed under the healthcare and social services category.
How Can Express Entry Categories Increase Your Chances?
Category-based draws make it easier for candidates in specific occupations to receive an ITA. With a lower CRS cut-off, these draws are much less competitive, so professionals in healthcare, social services, and other in-demand fields have a better chance of applying for PR even with a lower CRS score.
Conclusion
The recent updates to Express Entry categories have made it easier for skilled professionals, especially in healthcare and social services, to apply for Canadian PR. With targeted draws, more people now have an opportunity to qualify, even if their CRS score is not as high as required for general draws. So, if you’re a pharmacist, social worker, or dental hygienist, these changes could significantly improve your chances of moving to Canada.
