Express Entry
Latest Express Entry Draw #362 Invites 2,500 Healthcare & Social Services at 470 CRS
Canada pressed ahead with targeted selection this week. In Express Entry draw #362, IRCC issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with eligible healthcare and social services work experience. The CRS cut-off was 470, with a tie-break of April 23, 2025, at 20:08:53 UTC. If you work in care, diagnostics, therapy, community services, or clinical practice, this round offered a clear path to permanent residence.
What Happened in Express Entry Draw #362
| Item | Detail |
| Draw date | August 19, 2025 |
| Round type | Category-based: Healthcare & Social Services |
| ITAs issued | 2,500 |
| CRS cut-off | 470 |
| Tie-break | Apr 23, 2025 – 20:08:53 UTC |
This was the lowest CRS for a healthcare-focused round in 2025 so far, signaling strong space for qualified care professionals in the 470–475 band.
Who Qualified in This Round
To receive an ITA, candidates had to:
- Be eligible for FSW, FST, or CEC.
- Meet the draw’s CRS cut-off and tie-break.
- Hold 6+ months of continuous work experience (full-time or equivalent) in one eligible occupation within healthcare or social services.
Typical NOCs in scope include registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, pharmacists, medical technologists, sonographers, respiratory therapists, psychologists, occupational/physio therapists, social workers, and social/community service workers.
Why This Matters for Care Professionals
Canada’s 2025 plan continues to favor labor market results. Health systems, community agencies, and long-term care need talent. This Express Entry draw Canada delivered a lower threshold than many general or PNP-only rounds, giving well-prepared care workers a faster route to PR.
Trend Watch: More Health Rounds, Smaller Batches
Since May, healthcare rounds have appeared monthly. Volumes per draw are moderate, while French-language rounds have been larger on average. The signal is consistent: IRCC is using targeted selection to align intake with real vacancies, rather than inflating pool size with broad general draws.
If you’re close to 470:
- A small language boost (one CLB level) can push you over the line.
- Recheck your NOC: your duties must match the chosen code.
- If you also have French, add TEF/TCF—bilingual points move profiles.
If you’re below 470:
- Consider employer-led PNP streams in provinces facing care gaps.
- Add an ECA for a spouse’s education if it raises your CRS.
- Bank new Canadian work months—CEC points compound with time.
Express Entry Next Draw Prediction: What to Expect
The August cadence so far: PNP (Aug 6), CEC (Aug 7), French (Aug 8), PNP (Aug 18), Healthcare (Aug 19). A short-window express entry next draw could still appear as CEC or a trades-focused round, depending on intake targets for the month. Plan as if an invite could arrive on short notice.
Practical Prep Now
- Keep language tests valid and recent.
- Order police certificates early.
- Maintain proof of funds (where required) with clean, traceable records.
- Store all PDFs (work letters, ECAs, passports) in a tidy folder for same-week submission after ITA.
CRS Moves That Work in Weeks (Not Months)
- Retake IELTS/CELPIP or TEF/TCF for a targeted bump.
- Correct NOC alignment to match documented duties.
- Add spouse ECA/language if it yields net CRS gain.
- Update work history the day you cross a new month.
Will Category-Based Healthcare Rounds Continue?
Yes. Canada’s demographic needs and vacancy data point the same way. Expect recurring health-focused selections, steady use of French rounds, and regular PNP activity. General CEC draws will likely appear, but the biggest wins right now sit in priority categories—healthcare chief among them. This express entry draw #362 showed clear momentum for care workers at 470. If you’re close, tighten documents and chase quick CRS wins.
If you’re further out, explore PNP fits tied to hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community agencies. Keep one eye on IRCC’s rhythm and the other on your files so you can hit submit the same week an ITA lands—our Express Entry next draw prediction is that targeted rounds will keep leading the way through the fall. Stay tuned with Canada Immigration News for the upcoming Express Entry draw updates.
