Entry system #373: Healthcare and social services occupations
Today, KeyApply is sending you an immigration news bulletin, recently released by the Canadian Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship - IRCC on October 15, 2025.
This is the 373rd invitation round in the Express Entry system – Canada's federal skilled worker immigration program. What's special this time is that Canada has focused on the healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2).
In this article, we will help you understand:
- Specifically, what's new in invitation round #373?
- Who was invited?
- What does the score of 472 represent?
- Which professions are included in this list?
- And how can you prepare to achieve that score?
📊 SUMMARY OF INVITATION ROUND RESULTS
First, let's look at the official figures released by IRCC:
- Invitation Title: Ministerial Instructions #373
- Date and time of invitation: October 15, 2025, at 15:55:18 UTC
- Invited occupations: Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (Version 2)
- Number of invitations issued: 2,500
- Minimum CRS score required to be invited: 472 points
- Required ranking: You must be among the top 2,500 highest-scoring profiles.
- Tie-breaking rule: If multiple people have the same score of 472, priority will be given to the person who submitted their application earlier, specifically before 23:17:30 on May 12, 2025 (UTC).
Programs that apply: The Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program may all be invited to this round.
This means:
➡️ Within the Express Entry pool of health and social services profiles, IRCC selected the 2,500 individuals with the highest CRS scores.
➡️ The person ranked 2,500th has 472 points - that's the cut-off score.
➡️ If you have 472 points or more, you are invited (ITA);
➡️ If your score is lower, you'll have to wait for the next round.
💡 DETAILED EXPLANATION OF “MINIMUM RATING OF 2,500 OR HIGHER”
Many people ask: "What does a minimum ranking of 2,500 mean?" It's very simple:
- When IRCC opens an invitation round, they rank all eligible applications within that subject group from highest to lowest score.
- Then, they selected the first 2,500 people.
- The last person on that list has a CRS score of 472.
In other words:
- You must be among the top 2,500 candidates based on your CRS score in the health and social occupations category to receive an invitation to immigrate.
- If your score is 472 or higher, even if you don't know your specific rank, you're still in a safe zone.
- If it's lower, you're close to the threshold and could be called in the next round if IRCC expands the number or cuts the cut-off point.
🧭 WHAT KIND OF PROFILE CAN EARN 472 POINTS?
472 points is quite high, but entirely achievable if you have a good foundation. We will describe a typical profile that achieves around 472 CRS points:
| Element | Describe |
|---|---|
| Year old | 28-32 years old: this is the golden age to achieve maximum points for age. |
| Education | Master's degree or equivalent, accredited by ECA. |
| English | IELTS General achieved CLB 9 (Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0) |
| Work experience | 3-5 years of relevant experience, either in Canada or overseas. |
| Marital status | Single or without dependents |
| No Letter of Offer (LMIA) or PNP required. | Since this is an industry-specific invitation round, no invitation or nomination is required. |
| No relatives in Canada | You still get 472, but if you have relatives, the score will be even higher. |
🩺 LIST OF PROFESSIONALS INVITED
Now for the most important part: What specific occupations has IRCC selected in the Healthcare & Social Services group (Version 2)?
According to the 2021 NOC list, this is the detailed list:
| NOC Code | Job |
|---|---|
| 31100 | Internal medicine specialists, clinical laboratory doctors ( Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine ) |
| 31101 | Surgeons ( Specialists in surgery ) |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31111 | Ophthalmologist ( Optometrist ) |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31201 | Chiropractors |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31209 | Other medical specialties ( Other diagnosing and treating health professionals ) |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychopharmacology nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Emergency medical personnel, paramedics ( Paramedical occupations ) |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists |
| 32104 | Veterinary technicians |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 32201 | Massage therapists |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates |
| 41300 | Social workers |
| 41301 | Counseling therapists ( Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies ) |
| 42201 | Social and community service workers |
💬 New professions added in “Version 2” include:
- Pharmacists (31120)
- Social workers (41300)
- Social and community service workers (42201)
- Therapists in counseling (41301)
This indicates that IRCC is expanding its priorities not only in the health sector but also in social support, mental health, and community welfare.
⚙️ HOW TO PREPARE AND OPTIMIZE YOUR APPLICATION
- Check your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code: Visit the official Government of Canada website and look up the code for your occupation. If your occupation is on the list, you are eligible for priority consideration.
- Optimize your English/French skills: Every 0.5 point increase in IELTS can boost your CRS score by 10-20 points.
- Update your profile early: Update your Express Entry profile as soon as you are eligible, as the timing of submission will be crucial in tie-breaking situations.
- Academic Accreditation (ECA): If studying outside of Canada, an ECA assessment must be submitted to receive academic credit.
- If you have work experience in Canada, be sure to mention it as it adds up significantly (35-40 points).
- If you know French, achieving a Club 7 or higher will earn you an additional 25-50 points.
💬 CONCLUSION
“Express Entry Invitation Round #373 shows that Canada continues to prioritize healthcare and community workers – those who bring real value to society.”
With 2,500 invitations and 472 cut-off points, opportunities are open to thousands of professionals in the fields of health, social work, and community welfare around the world.
If you work in this occupational group – whether you're a nurse, laboratory technician, social worker, or pharmacist – then 2025 is the perfect time to start preparing your application for Canadian permanent residency.”
Please ensure your profile is in good condition:
- All the necessary documents are available.
- Having relevant professional experience,
- And most importantly, register for Express Entry as early as possible.
🎯 KeyApply, specializing in Start-Up Visa & Express Entry program consulting, wishes everyone a day full of energy! If you need assistance calculating your CRS score or checking if your profession is on the list, please schedule a consultation using the schedule below!
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