Canada Healthcare and Social Services Occupations in Demand: Express Entry Draw #385 Issues 1,000 ITAs
December 15, 2025
Canada keeps enhancing its healthcare and social services occupations with highly skilled professionals migrating into the country. A recent big migration update includes Express Entry Draw #385, which once again underscores the rising relevance of healthcare and social services professionals migrating into Canada, inviting 1,000 Invitation To Apply letters for permanent residence. The reason for holding an exclusive draw relates to enhancing permanent residence opportunities for immigration aspirants in core sectors with labor shortages.
Express Entry Draw #385: Key Highlights
The most recent Express Entry draw invited only candidates working in healthcare and social services occupations. A cut-off score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 476, it was an opportunity to include professionals who might struggle to compete in general rounds of Express Entry.
Key highlights of Express Entry Draw #385 include:
- Number of ITAs issued: 1,000
- Target category: Healthcare and social services occupations
- CRS cut-off score: 476
- Program system: Express Entry
This draw signals a clear priority shift toward occupation-based immigration, and it therefore presents an ideal time for healthcare professionals to look toward Canada as their long-term destination.
Why Canada Healthcare and Social Services Occupations Are in High Demand?
Currently, there is a shortage of healthcare and social service professionals in Canada because of an aging population and rising healthcare demands. To mitigate these factors, immigration is a strategy adopted by the government of Canada, and Canada healthcare and social services are among its immigration priorities.
Some of these occupations include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, personal support workers, social workers, physiotherapists, medical laboratory technologists, and early childhood educators. It can be seen that these are priorities because, with Express Entry, these occupations are targeted so that indispensable services are maintained at an optimal level.
Targeted Express Entry Draws: A Game Changer for Skilled Workers
Category-based Express Entry draws have been a game-changer for Canada’s immigration system, where instead of being in a competitive race with all applicants, candidates in a high-demand field have a better chance of receiving an ITA even with a moderate CRS score.
This approach greatly enhances the success rate for professionals in the healthcare and social services occupations in Canada. Draw #385 illustrates selection with occupation in focus that accelerates the permanent residency for skilled workers who are directly contributing to Canada’s economic and social well-being.
Who Can Benefit from This Draw?
This draw is especially beneficial for:
- Health professionals with relevant work experience either in Canada or abroad
- Social service workers for community development and care
- International graduates in health-related programs
- Candidates whose scores are below the usual general draw cut-offs
If your occupation falls under healthcare or social services and you meet Express Entry requirements, this might be one of the most promising pathways to permanent residence in Canada.
Canada’s Long-Term Immigration Strategy for Healthcare Professionals
The immigration plan for Canada clearly reflects an ongoing need for healthcare and social service professionals. The next rounds of Express Entry will probably include these occupations once again and offer regular opportunities for international skilled professionals.
Moreover, this strategy not only benefits the healthcare system in Canada but is also an advantage for new immigrants as it assures them job security and career advancement opportunities as well as access to “the world’s most admired permanent resident program.”
Express Entry Draw 385 Confirms Healthcare and Social Services as Canada’s Top Immigration Priority
Express Entry Draw Number 385: A stark reminder that it is no surprise that it is once again healthcare and social services occupations that remain at the very core of immigration efforts within Canada. By issuing 1,000 invitations, it goes without saying that it is no surprise that it is these occupations that remain at the core.
As someone who works within the health and social services sector and would like to bring your skills and experience to a career within the healthcare and social services sector within Canada, it is an excellent time to make your move. A well-structured Express Entry profile and some professional advice will make all the difference.
Which is the fastest PR pathway in Canada?
Among immigration hopefuls, the quickest way to obtain permanent residence in Canada is via Express Entry, especially when there are draws targeting specific categories of jobs such as Healthcare and social services. The rationale behind these targeted draws is to fill Canada’s critical labor shortages and, in most cases, they have lower cut-off points and processing time compared to non-targeted draws. Professionals such as nurses, medical technologists, personal support worker PSWs, and social service specialists can gain an ITA in a matter of weeks if they satisfy the requirements.
After an application has been lodged, IRCC targets processing Express Entry apps in six months at most, making it one of the quickest ways to gain permanent residence in Canada. For immigration hopefuls with credentials in healthcare and social services, this remains the quickest way to a permanent life in Canada.
Which occupations qualify for OINP?
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) aims at a broad set of in-demand occupations, which correspond with the labor requirements in the province of Ontario, although healthcare and social service occupations have remained among the most in-demand for years. Occupations qualified for application under OINP are usually associated with Employer Job Offer Streams and Express Entry Streams in Ontario, with identification based on Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
In the healthcare and social service field, jobs such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, personal support workers, social workers, early childhood educators, medical laboratory technologists, and other allied health professionals are usually eligible, provided they possess an offered job, educational requirements, licenses, and work experience. However, an applicant must check if their occupation is in demand in the list of in-demand occupations in Ontario.
Need Professional Immigration Assistance?
Category-based draws make Express Entry complex to navigate. Experienced immigration professionals can work with you to assess your eligibility, improve your CRS score to the maximum level, and select the very best pathway to permanent residence in Canada.
If you want to know more details about “Canada Healthcare and Social Services Occupations in Demand: Express Entry Draw #385 Issues 1,000 ITAs“ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at Gunness & Associates.
Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.
For Honest And Straightforward Advice, Contact The Experts
Get a Free Assessment
All rights reserved ©2025 Gunness & Associates
