Express Entry Healthcare Category: Eligible NOCs & Cutoffs (2026)
To address healthcare staffing shortages across all provinces, IRCC conducts regular healthcare category rounds for nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and medical lab technologists.
How to Qualify for Healthcare Category Draws
- ✓At least 6 months of continuous paid work experience in an eligible healthcare NOC within the past 3 years.
- ✓Active Express Entry profile meeting general criteria (minimum 67 FSW points or 1 year CEC experience).
- ✓Language benchmark of at least CLB 7 in English (IELTS 6.0 in all bands) or French (NCLC 7).
- ✓Experience completed in foreign hospitals, clinics, or laboratories is 100% recognized.
Canadian Medical Licensing vs. Express Entry ITA
A Canadian nursing or medical license is NOT required to receive an Express Entry ITA or become a Permanent Resident. IRCC evaluates your foreign work experience and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Provincial licensing (such as NNAS or provincial colleges) is completed after receiving PR.
Post-Landing Licensing Journey & US NCLEX Reciprocity
Healthcare is one of the lowest-cutoff Express Entry streams (CRS 440s–470s). Here is how international medical professionals navigate the journey:
The 4-Stage Nurse Licensing Journey
Stage 1: Get Educational Credential Assessment (WES). Stage 2: Receive Express Entry ITA with low healthcare cutoffs (445–475). Stage 3: Initiate NNAS (National Nursing Assessment Service) credential evaluation. Stage 4: Pass NCLEX-RN and register with a provincial nursing regulatory body upon arrival in Canada.
Direct US NCLEX-RN Reciprocity (Ontario & Alberta)
Foreign nurses who have already passed the US NCLEX-RN exam can qualify for expedited clinical registration in Ontario (College of Nurses of Ontario - CNO) or Alberta without re-sitting the examination.
Regulated Clinicians vs Non-Regulated Allied Health
While Registered Nurses (NOC 31301) and Doctors (NOC 31100) require post-landing licensing, allied healthcare roles like Medical Laboratory Assistants (NOC 33101) and Pharmacy Technicians (NOC 32124) can start working with much simpler certification.
Top 3 Application Strategies for Healthcare
Take Advantage of the 445–475 Cutoffs
Healthcare cutoffs are consistently 50 to 80 points lower than General draws, making this one of Canada’s most accessible routes to Permanent Residency for qualified medical professionals.
Include Patient Care Duties in Letters
Ensure your hospital or clinic reference letters clearly describe your daily clinical responsibilities, patient assessments, medication administration, or diagnostic procedures.
Check Dedicated Healthcare PNP Streams
Provinces like British Columbia (BC PNP Healthcare Priority) and Nova Scotia frequently issue provincial nominations with even lower CRS points for international nurses.
All Eligible Occupations (34)
Search by NOC code or job title to check duties, wage benchmarks, and TEER levels.
Recent Draw History for This Category
Historical cutoff scores and invitations issued for this stream.
| Draw # | Date | Invitations | Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| #441 | 2026-09-04 | 3,500 | CRS 475 |
| #440Physicians | 2026-09-03 | 229 | CRS 198 |
| #422 | 2026-06-25 | 4,000 | CRS 475 |
| #421Physicians | 2026-06-24 | 271 | CRS 223 |
| #398 | 2026-02-20 | 4,000 | CRS 467 |
| #397Physicians | 2026-02-19 | 391 | CRS 169 |
| #385 | 2025-12-11 | 1,000 | CRS 476 |
| #379 | 2025-11-14 | 3,500 | CRS 462 |
| #373 | 2025-10-15 | 2,500 | CRS 472 |
| #362 | 2025-08-19 | 2,500 | CRS 470 |
See how close you are to the Healthcare cutoff (475).
Review invitation sizes and historical cutoff drops since 2023.
Check prevailing wage medians across Ontario, BC, and Alberta.
Explore Healthcare, Trades, STEM, Transport & French streams.
Healthcare Category FAQ
Common questions about eligibility, foreign experience, licensing, and draw cutoffs.