Summary: On February 20th 2026, Canada Issued 4,000 Invitations in the category "Healthcare and Social Services" of Express Entry
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February 20, 2026 – Continuing an exceptionally high-volume week for Canadian immigration, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a targeted Express Entry draw today, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services sector.
This round (Draw #398) marks the first major category-based selection for healthcare professionals in 2026, reinforcing Canada's strategy to utilize immigration as a solution for critical labor shortages in the medical field.
Express Entry Draw #398: Key Statistics
Today’s draw targeted 37 specific healthcare and social services occupations under the 2026-Version 3 category list.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Draw Date | February 20, 2026 |
| Round Number | #398 |
| Category | Healthcare and Social Services (2026-V3) |
| Invitations Issued (ITAs) | 4,000 |
| Minimum CRS Score | 467 |
| Tie-breaking Rule | December 09, 2025, at 18:22:06 UTC |
Analysis: A Record-Breaking Week for Express Entry
The February 20 draw capped off one of the busiest invitation periods in the history of the Express Entry system. Between February 16 and February 20, IRCC conducted four distinct draws, issuing a total of 10,670 ITAs.
- Diverse Targeting: The week included a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw, a large Canadian Experience Class (CEC) round, a niche draw for Physicians, and today’s broad healthcare round.
- Accessible CRS Scores: The healthcare cut-off of 467 is notably lower than the general CEC cut-off (508) earlier this week, offering a significant advantage to medical professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians.
Eligibility and "Version 3" Requirements
Under the new 2026 guidelines, candidates invited today must demonstrate at least 12 months of continuous full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) within the last three years in one of the 37 targeted NOC codes.
List of 37 profesionnal occupations in the Healthcare and Social Worker category
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 |
| Audiologists and speech-language pathologists | 31112 |
| Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 |
| Dental hygienists and dental therapists | 32111 |
| Dentists | 31110 |
| Dietitians and nutritionists | 31121 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
| Massage therapists | 32201 |
| Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 |
| Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 |
| Medical radiation technologists | 32121 |
| Medical sonographers | 32122 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
| Nurse practitioners | 31302 |
| Nursing coordinators and supervisors | 31300 |
| Occupational therapists | 31203 |
| Optometrists | 31111 |
| Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 |
| Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating | 31209 |
| Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment | 32109 |
| Paramedical occupations | 32102 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants | 33103 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 32124 |
| Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals | 31303 |
| Physiotherapists | 31202 |
| Psychologists | 31200 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 |
| Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 |
| Social workers | 41300 |
| Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 |
| Specialists in surgery | 31101 |
| Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies | 41301 |
| Veterinarians | 31103 |
See the details of this round directly on the Canadian Government website.
Conclusion
As the 2026 immigration landscape continues to evolve, staying informed on these bi-weekly draws is essential for a successful application.
Contact our professional consulting team today for a personalized assessment of your eligibility or to discuss your Express Entry profile.
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