Canada continues to strengthen its immigration strategy by focusing on sectors that directly support national development, and the latest Express Entry Draw #398 reflects this approach clearly. In this recent round held on February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada invited 4,000 healthcare and social service professionals to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score requirement of 467.

This targeted draw highlights Canada’s ongoing need for healthcare talent and its proactive approach to maintaining high-quality medical services across provinces. For many professionals working in healthcare or social services, this draw represents a meaningful opportunity to transition toward permanent residence while contributing to Canada’s well-established healthcare system and strong community support networks.

Key Details and Insights From Express Entry Draw #398

The results of Express Entry Draw #398 demonstrate both competitiveness and opportunity for skilled professionals considering immigration to Canada. With 4,000 invitations issued and a CRS cut-off score of 467, the draw shows a favourable balance between candidate demand and labour market requirements. The tie-breaking rule applied to profiles submitted before December 9, 2025, which highlights the importance of early profile submission and careful preparation. Compared with the previous healthcare-specific draw conducted in December 2025, this round issued a higher number of invitations while slightly lowering the CRS threshold. Such trends often indicate sustained demand for healthcare professionals and suggest that Canada intends to continue prioritizing occupations that support essential public services, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres, and community care institutions.

Growing Healthcare Needs Continue to Shape Immigration Policy

Canada’s demographic changes, including an aging population and expanding healthcare infrastructure, have created steady demand for qualified professionals across medical and social service sectors. Physicians, nurses, allied health specialists, therapists, nutrition experts, and technical healthcare workers all play vital roles in maintaining quality care standards nationwide.

Immigration remains an essential pathway for addressing workforce shortages, particularly in regions where local recruitment alone may not meet service requirements. Through category-based Express Entry draws such as Draw 398, Canada is aligning immigration selection with real workforce needs, ensuring that newcomers can integrate successfully while supporting long-term economic stability and community well-being.

Eligible Occupations Reflect Broad Healthcare Workforce Demand

The healthcare and social services category within Express Entry covers a wide range of occupations that contribute to patient care, preventive health services, and social support systems.

Eligible roles include dentists, chiropractors, dieticians, nutritionists, audiologists, speech language pathologists, and cardiology technologists, among others. These professions require specialized training, professional licensing, and strong communication skills, which are all factors considered during the immigration assessment process. Canada values internationally trained professionals who can integrate into its healthcare framework, and many provinces actively support credential recognition initiatives to help newcomers enter the workforce smoothly and contribute effectively.

Understanding How Express Entry Supports Permanent Residence

The Express Entry system remains one of Canada’s primary pathways for skilled immigration. Candidates first create an online profile, submit language test results, education credential assessments, and work experience details, after which they receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score.

Invitations to apply for permanent residence are issued periodically based on CRS rankings and category-based selection priorities. After receiving an invitation, candidates submit a complete application including documentation such as police clearances, medical examinations, and employment references. This structured process ensures transparency while maintaining high standards for economic immigration selection.

Future Outlook for Healthcare Immigration in Canada

Healthcare professionals remain central to Canada’s immigration outlook, and ongoing category based selection rounds are likely to continue reflecting this priority. As provinces expand healthcare infrastructure and focus on improving service access in both urban and rural communities, immigration pathways will continue supporting workforce sustainability. Express Entry Draw 398 provide s a strong indicator of this direction, signalling that Canada remains open to skilled professionals who bring expertise, experience, and long term potential. For candidates considering immigration, maintaining updated profiles, strong language scores, and verified credentials will remain essential steps toward success.

Express Entry Draw #398 Highlights Canada’s Continued Healthcare Immigration Focus

Express Entry Draw #398 clearly demonstrates Canada’s ongoing focus on attracting healthcare and social service professionals who can support national development and community wellbeing. With 4,000 invitations issued and competitive CRS requirements, the draw reflects both opportunity and strategic workforce planning. Professionals in healthcare should view this development as a positive signal that Canada continues to value skilled global talent while maintaining a stable and forward-looking immigration system. Staying informed about upcoming draws, policy updates, and eligibility requirements can help candidates position themselves effectively for future opportunities in Canada’s immigration landscape.

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