Canada Holds fifth Express Entry draw of August Second of the Week, Marks Second-Largest Healthcare Round of 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its fifth Express Entry draw of August—and second draw of the week—issuing a substantial number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) targeting the healthcare and social services sector. The move reflects a clear strategic emphasis on filling critical roles amidst evolving immigration priorities.
A Specialized Focus on Healthcare
On August 19, 2025, IRCC completed its second healthcare and social services–specific Express Entry draw of the week—the second-largest such category-based selection in 2025. This draw invited 2,500 candidates, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470.
Candidates were required to have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 1:08 p.m. UTC on March 13, 2025.
August’s Busy Draw Schedule
This draw marks one of four Express Entry rounds held in August:
- August 6: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw – 225 ITAs, CRS minimum 739
- August 7: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw – 1,000 ITAs, CRS cut-off 534
- August 8: French language proficiency draw – 2,500 ITAs, CRS cut-off 481
- August 19: Latest healthcare and social services draw – 2,500 ITAs, CRS cut-off 470
Just a day earlier, on August 18, IRCC held a PNP-specific draw, inviting 192 candidates, with a notably high CRS requirement of 800—the second-highest of the year.
So far in 2025, the total number of ITAs issued through Express Entry stands at approximately 55,820.
2025 Draw Trends: A Strategic Orientation
Data tracking indicates that Express Entry draws this year have heavily favored PNP candidates, followed by selections targeting CEC, French-language proficiency, and priority occupational categories (including healthcare and education). The tally of draw types thus far:
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 15 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 8 |
| French-language proficiency | 4 |
| Healthcare & social services | 4 |
| Education | 1 |
This heightened focus on healthcare reflects Canada’s demand for skilled professionals in critical sectors, as well as a departure from the earlier discretionary emphasis on general draws seen in previous years.
Why These Draws Matter
Healthcare professionals—ranging from nurses and therapists to social workers—remain among Canada’s most critical immigration priorities. The CRS cut-off of 470, while still competitive, is relatively accessible compared to PNP draws, suggesting a deliberate policy orientation toward attracting qualified healthcare workers at scale.
For PNP candidates, the threshold of 800 underscores both the value of provincial nomination and the intense competition for such invites. These high-CRS draws reward strong human capital characteristics combined with provincial endorsement.
Meanwhile, CEC and French-language draws continue to provide important avenues for other categories of candidates, aligning with IRCC’s overall goals of diversifying and strengthening the economic class pool.
Looking Ahead
August’s biweekly draw pattern appears firmly established, with IRCC delivering multiple targeted rounds across different categories—including healthcare, PNP, CEC, and language proficiency.
The cumulative 55,820 ITAs issued in 2025 suggest IRCC remains on pace to meet annual immigration targets. For context, Canada’s 2025 permanent residence goal is under 410,000—a figure derived from the latest Immigration Levels Plan.
Candidates still awaiting an ITA are advised to monitor draw trends closely:
- Healthcare-focused draws are likely to recur, especially given recent patterns.
- PNP draws, while highly competitive, remain a reliable path for province-specific applicants.
- CEC and language-based draws continue to alternate in frequency.
Optimizing a profile—through improving CRS (via language tests, education, or work experience), securing a provincial nomination, or targeting specific occupational draws—remains key.
Canada’s latest Express Entry draw, the second of the week and largest healthcare selection of 2025, offered 2,500 ITAs to applicants in high-demand social services and healthcare roles. The CRS cut-off of 470 provided an entry point for many qualified professionals.
With IRCC orchestrating a steady cadence of category-specific draws throughout August—and the cumulative ITA count inching toward key immigration targets—2025 continues to be a dynamic year for Express Entry hopefuls aiming to turn their Canadian dream into reality.
