IRCC issued 3,500 ITAs on September 4, 2026 in a Healthcare and Social Services draw at a CRS cutoff of 475 — the largest Express Entry round since August 19 and the fourth draw in a four-day cluster.
On September 4, 2026, IRCC issued 3,500 ITAs in a Healthcare and Social Services draw at a CRS cutoff of 475 — the largest Express Entry round since the August 19 French-language draw, and the fourth draw in a four-day cluster that started with a PNP round on August 31. If you work in healthcare and your CRS score clears 475, this was your invitation. If it doesn't, here's what the last two healthcare rounds tell you about where the bar is settling.
IRCC issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services category, at a minimum CRS score of 475. Candidates needed an Express Entry profile created before 12:26 a.m. UTC on May 26, 2026 to be included. This was the 53rd Express Entry round of 2026, and it capped an unusually busy four-day stretch: a PNP draw at CRS 697 on August 31, a CEC draw at CRS 521 on September 1, a Physicians category draw at CRS 198 on September 3, and this healthcare round on September 4.
At 3,500 ITAs, this is the biggest Express Entry round since the 5,000-invitation French-language draw on August 19, and the largest occupation-based (non-language) round in the past two months. It's also the third Healthcare and Social Services draw of 2026, and the cutoff has now held essentially flat across the last two:
| Date | ITAs issued | CRS cutoff |
|---|
| February 20, 2026 | 4,000 | 467 |
| June 25, 2026 | 4,000 | 475 |
| September 4, 2026 | 3,500 | 475 |
That's the story worth paying attention to: IRCC trimmed the invitation count by 500 compared to June, yet the cutoff didn't move at all. When a smaller draw produces the same cutoff as a larger one, it usually means more candidates have stacked up at that score since the last round — the pool at 475 is deeper now than it was in June, not thinner.
Healthcare and Social Services has now delivered 11,500 ITAs across three rounds in 2026, out of roughly 126,156 total Express Entry invitations issued so far this year across all categories.
If your CRS score is 475 or higher and you're eligible under Healthcare and Social Services: you should have received an ITA in this round, provided your profile was in the pool before May 26. Eligible occupations span nursing, medicine, paramedical work, social work, and other TEER 0–3 health and social-service roles — check that your NOC code and work history are accurately reflected in your profile if you qualified but weren't invited.
If your score is in the 450s to low 470s: the cutoff held at 475 for a second straight healthcare round despite a smaller draw size. Don't assume a future round will dip back toward 467 just because it's happened before — plan around 475 as the number to beat right now. A CLB retest or additional Canadian work experience are the fastest ways to close a gap of this size; see our guide to improving your CRS score.
If you're not healthcare-eligible: this cluster is a reminder of how much of 2026's invitation volume is running through category-based draws rather than general rounds. French-language proficiency remains the highest-volume category by far (50,500 ITAs so far in 2026), with cutoffs in the 380s–420s — far more accessible than CEC or healthcare if you hold a qualifying French test result. See our category-based draws explainer for the full list of active categories.
Tip
Two healthcare draws in a row at the same 475 cutoff, with a smaller invitation count the second time, is a sign the pool at that score is filling up faster than IRCC is clearing it. If you're a few points under 475, don't wait for a bigger draw to bail you out — the trend this year has been shrinking draw sizes with flat or rising cutoffs, not the reverse.
You have 60 days from September 4 — until around November 3, 2026 — to submit a complete permanent residence application. Gather your language test results, an ECA for any foreign education, police certificates from every country you've lived in for 6+ months since age 18, an immigration medical exam, and proof of funds (unless you're exempt as a CEC applicant).
This closes out one of the longer draw clusters of the year — four rounds in four business days. Category-based draws for French-language proficiency, trades, or transport are plausible candidates for the next round, alongside the usual alternating CEC and PNP rhythm. IRCC doesn't publish a draw calendar, so treat any pattern as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Where do you stand? CRS Calculator | All Express Entry Draws | How to Improve Your CRS Score | Healthcare Workers' Guide to Canadian Immigration
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.