IRCC Issues 4,000 ITAs in Category-Based Draw for Healthcare and Social Service Workers with Minimum CRS Score of 467

By Vicky

Feb 21, 2026 | 2 min read

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted Express Entry Draw 398, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the category-based selection for Healthcare and Social Services occupations. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 467.This draw, held on February 20, 2026, marks the first Healthcare and Social Services category-based round of the year and highlights Canada’s continued priority to address workforce shortages in essential care sectors.Notably, this draw follows yesterday’s specialized category-based draw ( Express entry draw 397) targeting physicians with Canadian work experience, further emphasizing Canada’s urgent need for medical professionals across the country.

Key Highlights Of Express Entry Draw 398

Date of Draw: February 20, 2026
Draw Type: Category-based — Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
Invitations Issued: 4,000 ITAs
CRS Score Cut-Off: 467
Tie-Breaking Rule: December 09, 2025 at 18:22:06 UTC

Focus on Healthcare and Social Services

Canada is actively targeting professionals in healthcare and social support fields due to ongoing labour shortages across provinces. Category-based draws allow IRCC to invite candidates with relevant work experience even if their CRS scores are lower than typical all-program draws.

This round is among the largest Healthcare category draws since category-based selection was introduced in June 2023.

CRS Score Trends

The cutoff score of 467 is lower than the average scores seen in similar draws during 2025, indicating increased opportunities for eligible candidates early in 2026. Historically, CRS requirements tend to be slightly lower at the beginning of the year.

Occupations That Benefit

Candidates with experience in the following occupations are most likely to benefit:

Registered nurses
Doctors and specialists
Pharmacists
Physiotherapists
Medical laboratory technologists
Social workers
Personal support workers

What This Means for Applicants

Healthcare and social service professionals now have an excellent opportunity to secure Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry in 2026. Immigration experts expect more targeted draws for priority sectors as Canada continues to address labour market gaps.