July 2025 Canada immigration updates: Express Entry Draw #357 invites 4,000 healthcare workers, Quebec launches first PSTQ Arrima draw, Alberta criticizes PGP expansion, and $78M boosts Francophone health services. Go Canada Services offers expert immigration support.
Canada Immigration Updates July 2025: Express Entry, PSTQ, Alberta PGP, and Francophone Health
Alberta PGP Criticism, Francophone Health Funding Introduction
July 2025 brings significant updates to Canada’s immigration landscape, addressing labor shortages, family reunification, provincial concerns, and linguistic equity.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #357 targeting healthcare and social service workers, Quebec launched its first draw under the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), Alberta criticized the federal Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) expansion, and Canada invested $78 million in French-language health services.
These align with the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, targeting 395,000 permanent residents and 673,650 temporary residents in 2025. Additional updates include IMP language testing and Atlantic Canada’s economic growth.
Go Canada Services, a trusted immigration firm since 2004, offers expert guidance. This article explores these developments and their implications.
Express Entry Draw #357: Healthcare and Social Workers
On July 22, 2025, IRCC held Express Entry Draw #357, the third occupation-specific draw of 2025, targeting healthcare and social service professionals. Key details:
- Invitations: 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 475, down 29 points from the previous healthcare draw (June 24, 504 CRS).
- Tie-Breaking Rule: Applied to profiles submitted before March 13, 2025, at 13:08:29 UTC.
- Context: With 256,914 profiles in the Express Entry pool as of July 20, 2025, IRCC has issued 49,403 ITAs across 27 draws in 2025, including 6,053 for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Healthcare draws address a 6% vacancy rate in the sector (Statistics Canada, 2024).
- Eligible Occupations: Includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and therapists under NOC codes like 31100 (physicians) and 41300 (social workers).
X posts from @CitImmCanada and @yaxis confirm the draw’s focus on healthcare shortages. For Express Entry support, visit Go Canada Services’ Permanent Residency Services.
Quebec’s First PSTQ Arrima Draw
On July 22, 2025, Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation et Integration (MIFI) announced results for the first draw under the new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) via the Arrima platform, held on July 17, 2025. Key points:
- Invitations: 238 candidates invited—216 under Stream 1 (highly qualified and specialized skills) and 22 under Stream 4 (exceptional talent, requiring a PhD and outstanding achievements).
- Criteria: Priority for French-speaking candidates in Quebec with local work or study experience, especially outside Montreal, targeting labor shortages in healthcare, tech, and trades.
- Process: Candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via Arrima, scored on education, work experience, and French proficiency (minimum level 7 oral). Invited candidates have 60 days to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ), with processing in 6 months.
- Context: Quebec issued 24,144 invitations in 2024 Arrima draws. The PSTQ, replacing the PRTQ on November 29, 2024, targets 32,350 economic immigrants in 2025.
For PSTQ or CSQ guidance, contact Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment.
Alberta’s Criticism of PGP Expansion
Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade, and Immigration, Matt Jones, criticized IRCC’s July 28, 2025, PGP intake of 10,000 applications, citing strain on healthcare, education, and housing. Key points:
- Concerns: Nearly 2 million newcomers in 2024 have overwhelmed Alberta’s infrastructure, with healthcare wait times up 15% and housing costs rising 8% (Alberta Government, 2025).
- Proposals: Jones advocates for immigration caps below 500,000 annually and greater provincial input to align with capacity (e.g., 25,000 newcomers for Alberta in 2025).
- Context: The federal PGP targets family reunification, but Alberta argues for coordination to avoid service disruptions, especially with 48-month processing times for Quebec-destined applicants.
X posts from @HabsNatna reflect provincial frustration with federal policies. For family sponsorship or PGP support, explore Go Canada Services’ Family Sponsorship Services.
$78M for Francophone Health Services
On July 22, 2025, Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced $78 million over five years to enhance French-language health services for Francophone minority communities via the Official Languages Health Program (OLHP). Details:
- Funding: Supports seven organizations, including five Atlantic post-secondary institutions, for bilingual health professional training, recruitment, and care delivery.
- Context: Part of a $206.7 million 2023–2028 Action Plan to ensure equitable access to health services in both official languages, addressing needs of 1.1 million Francophones outside Quebec (2021 Census).
- Impact: Boosts healthcare access in regions like New Brunswick and Ontario, aligning with IRCC’s 12% Francophone immigration target by 2029.
For health-related immigration pathways, contact Go Canada Services.
Other Key Updates
- IMP Language Testing: IRCC plans mandatory language testing for certain IMP work permits by 2027 to enhance integration.
- 2026–2028 Levels Plan: Consultations (July 21–August 17, 2025) aim to reduce temporary residents to below 5% by 2027 and increase Francophone immigration.
- Atlantic Canada Growth: Immigration drives economic growth, with Nova Scotia targeting a doubled population by 2060 via the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
- Quebec PGP Cap: No new parent/grandparent applications until June 26, 2026, due to a 13,000 cap.
- QS Student Cities 2026: Montreal (18th), Toronto (22nd), Vancouver (29th), Ottawa (80th) rank globally.
- Immigration Crisis: 500,000 undocumented residents and 17,000 admitted with criminal convictions prompt reform calls.
Immigration and Settlement Strategies
- Healthcare Workers: Enter the Express Entry pool with updated profiles (NOC codes 31100–41300) to leverage lower CRS cut-offs in category-based draws like #357.
- PSTQ Applicants: Update Arrima profiles with strong French proficiency (level 7+) and Quebec experience to maximize EOI scores for future draws.
- Alberta Residents: Explore Super Visa as an alternative to PGP for family reunification, given provincial capacity concerns.
- Francophone Communities: Bilingual healthcare professionals should target Atlantic Canada or Ontario for job opportunities tied to OLHP funding.
For tailored strategies, start with Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was Express Entry Draw #357?
On July 22, 2025, IRCC issued 4,000 ITAs to healthcare and social service professionals with a CRS score of 475, using a tie-breaking rule of March 13, 2025, at 13:08:29 UTC. - What was Quebec’s first PSTQ Arrima draw?
On July 17, 2025, MIFI invited 238 candidates (216 Stream 1, 22 Stream 4), prioritizing French-speaking residents with Quebec experience. - Why is Alberta criticizing the PGP expansion?
Minister Matt Jones argues the 10,000-application intake strains healthcare, education, and housing, advocating for caps below 500,000 annually. - What is the $78M Francophone health funding for?
Announced July 22, 2025, it supports bilingual health services, training, and recruitment in Francophone minority communities over five years.
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