IRCC invited 1,000 healthcare workers and social services candidates in Express Entry draw #385, Ontario issued new OINP Employer Job Offer invitations, and Canada clarified PGWP eligibility. Plus: Asma Faizi becomes President of the Canadian Council for Refugees. Get expert guidance from Go Canada Services.
IRCC invites 1,000 healthcare workers, Ontario runs OINP draws; PGWP rules clarified; CCR elects new President
Canada’s immigration landscape saw several important updates on December 11, 2025:
1) Express Entry: 1,000 healthcare & social services candidates invited
IRCC conducted its seventh occupation-specific draw of 2025 for healthcare and social services profiles, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in round #385 with a cut-off of 476 CRS (up +14 from the prior healthcare-targeted draw).
The tie-break was November 26, 2025, 07:44:30 UTC. Year-to-date, 102,599 ITAs have been issued across 55 draws, with 14,500 of those invitations going to healthcare and social services professionals.
If you received an invitation—or you’re strategically close—our regulated team can help you plan the fastest route to PR. Start with a free profile review via Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment, or explore core PR pathways on Permanent Resident Canada.
2) Ontario: more OINP Employer Job Offer invitations
Ontario held additional OINP draws under the Employer Job Offer streams targeting candidates living in Eastern, Northern, and Southwestern Ontario:
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EJO: Foreign Worker – 305 ITAs
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EJO: International Student – 373 ITAs
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EJO: In-Demand Skills – 238 ITAs
That brings Ontario’s 2025 total invitations to 12,528. If your profile aligns with an Ontario job offer, we’ll help you leverage the correct stream and documentation. Reach out via Contact Page.
3) PGWP: important clarifications for graduates
IRCC also clarified Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rules:
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You must have held a valid study authorization within 180 days of program completion to remain eligible.
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Language and field-of-study rules now apply consistently to university and non-university programs (effective March 11, 2025).
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Students who applied for their study permit before Nov 1, 2024 are exempt from field-of-study restrictions.
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Definitions around full-time status and final academic session have been refined to improve accessibility.
Planning a study-to-PR pathway? See Study Permits and then map your route to PR with Permanent Resident Canada.
4) Sector leadership: Asma Faizi to lead CCR
Asma Faizi’s appointment as President of the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) at the Winnipeg AGM (Nov 20, 2025) signals a results-driven phase for Canada’s leading refugee advocacy network.
A former Afghan refugee and veteran community leader, Faizi brings front-line credibility as well as policy fluency—from coordinating resettlement services to shaping national conversations on protection, family reunification, and durable pathways to status.
Under her leadership, expect the CCR to sharpen its focus on (1) faster, fairer processing for asylum seekers and resettled refugees; (2) equitable access to housing, healthcare, language training, and trauma-informed supports; (3) stronger protections for women, children, and LGBTQI+ claimants; and (4) evidence-based reforms that reinforce due process in hearings, appeals, and removals.
Faizi’s track record—spanning coalition-building with settlement agencies, legal advocates, and community organizations—positions the CCR to translate lived experience into concrete policy wins.
For employers and institutions, this could mean clearer guidance on hiring work-authorized newcomers and better coordination with provincial services; for newcomers, it promises more navigable pathways from claim to integration.
In a year defined by backlogs, evolving regulations, and humanitarian crises, Faizi’s CCR is poised to be a decisive, solutions-oriented voice for refugee protection and successful settlement in Canada.
How Go Canada Services can help (fast links)
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Start your profile review: Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment
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Ready to apply or switch pathway: Permanent Resident Canada
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Studying in Canada this term: Study Permits
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Sponsoring a loved one: Family Sponsorship
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Speak to our team today: Contact Page
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Call to action
Need a clear action plan after these updates? Get a tailored roadmap in 24–48 hours: start here Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment. Already decided? Book a consultation via Contact Page and move forward confidently.
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