On June 4, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted this month's second, and the year's second, targeted Express Entry draw for healthcare and social service occupations through its immigration selection system.

Latest Draw Details: Continued Focus on the Healthcare Sector

According to official data released by IRCC, 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to eligible candidates in this round. To be invited, candidates had to meet two core requirements:

• A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of no less than 504.
• An Express Entry profile created and submitted before 6:47 a.m. UTC on March 31, 2025.

The latter is IRCC’s "tie-breaking rule," meaning that among candidates with a CRS score of 504, only those who entered the pool before this specific time and date received an invitation. This rule underscores a 'first-come, first-served' principle for tied scores and encourages applicants to plan and submit their profiles early.

2025 Express Entry Draws: A Review and Analysis

This draw follows a series of other significant invitation rounds, including a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on June 2, a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on May 13, and another PNP draw on May 12.

Reviewing the draws in 2025 so far, the strategic priorities of the immigration department become clear. Out of a total of 35,217 ITAs issued, the distribution by draw type is as follows:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 9 draws
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 4 draws
• French-language proficiency: 3 draws
• Healthcare and social services: 2 draws
• Education: 1 draw

The data shows that the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) remains the pathway for the largest number of invitations, indicating strong collaboration between the federal and provincial governments to attract immigrants who meet local economic needs. Meanwhile, targeted draws for candidates with French-language proficiency, healthcare, and education backgrounds precisely address the urgent national demand for specific skilled labor.

Understanding Key Timelines in the Express Entry Process

For applicants intending to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, understanding the process and its timelines is crucial.

First, a successful Express Entry profile is valid for a maximum of one year. If a candidate does not receive an ITA within that year, their profile will expire. Provided they still meet the eligibility criteria, they can submit a new profile. It is important to note that a resubmitted profile will have a new submission time, which could affect its ranking under the tie-breaking rule.

Once a candidate receives an ITA, they have 60 days to prepare and submit a complete application for permanent residence (PR).

After receiving a complete application, the Canadian government’s processing standard is six months. This processing period begins when the department receives all required documents and information and ends when a final decision is made. Therefore, applicants must submit accurate and complete materials within the specified timeframe to avoid delays.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2025