IRCC Issues 1,000 ITAs in Category-Based Draw for Healthcare and Social Service Workers with Minimum CRS Score of 476

By Vicky

December 12, 2025 | 3 min read

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held Express Entry Draw 385, inviting 1,000 candidates from the Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (Version 2) category to apply for Canadian permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 476.This round is part of IRCC’s category-based selection strategy, designed to target specific occupations that address critical labor market needs. Candidates eligible for this draw were ranked based on their CRS scores and had to have qualifying work experience in one of the healthcare or social service occupations listed under the Version 2 category.

Key Points from Express Entry Draw 385

Draw Number: 385
Date: December 11, 2025
Category: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (Version 2)
Invitations Issued: 1,000
Minimum CRS Score: 476
Tie-Breaker Rule: Profiles submitted before November 26, 2025 at 07:44:30 UTC were prioritized at the CRS cutoff.

Precision-Based Selection

This round operated under the Healthcare and Social Services Occupations – Version 2 category. To qualify, candidates needed at least six months of continuous experience, gained within the last three years. In one of the 37 eligible NOC unit groups — a list that includes registered nurses, family physicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, psychologists, and several allied health roles.

A tie-breaking timestamp of November 26, 2025, at 07:44:30 UTC was applied, meaning that candidates with a CRS of 476 were invited only if their profiles were submitted before that time

How This Express Entry Draw 385 Fits the 2025 Pattern

The year 2025 has seen multiple healthcare-focused draws with varying volumes:

Compared to these large rounds, the 1,000 ITAs in the December 11 draw signal a smaller, year-end allocation, a strategic top-up rather than a broad intake.

What It Means for Applicants

A CRS cutoff of 476 keeps the competition tight but still favourable compared with many all-program draws. For candidates in healthcare and social services, this is a strong indication that targeted selection will remain a key feature of Express Entry as Canada continues to rely on category-based rounds to fill essential roles.

Applicants aiming for future draws should ensure:

Accurate NOC selection
Verifiable six-month continuous experience
Eligibility under FSWP, CEC, or FSTP
Strong CRS inputs, especially language scores and educational credentials

Need More Information?

For detailed program rules, eligibility criteria, and the latest Express Entry updates, candidates can refer directly to the official IRCC website.

If you need assistance with profile creation, CRS improvement, or preparing for upcoming category-based draws. You can connect with CanApprove, who can guide you through every step of your Canada immigration process with expert support.