On February 18, 2026, IRCC raised healthcare category-based draw work-experience requirements from 6 to 12 months, but Draw #398 on February 20 still used the old 6-month rule
Draw #398 invited over 1,000 candidates at a CRS cutoff of approximately 431 points
IRCC instructed affected candidates with 6 to 11 months of healthcare experience to withdraw their applications and not proceed with processing
Affected occupations include physicians, nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedical occupations, and health and safety engineers
No automatic fee refunds announced as of March 2026; affected applicants must wait until they accumulate 12 months of continuous full-time eligible healthcare experience before reapplying
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What Was the Healthcare Glitch in Express Entry Draw #398?
As of March 12, 2026.
Short answer: On February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ran Express Entry Draw #398 for healthcare with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff of 431, but the draw used the previous 6-month work-experience rule even though IRCC had raised the requirement to 12 months two days earlier, leaving hundreds of candidates with invalid Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
On February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #398, a category-based draw specifically targeting healthcare occupations. The draw invited candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 431 or higher.
What should have been a routine draw became a significant administrative error that has left hundreds of candidates in limbo. IRCC later sent emails instructing affected applicants to withdraw their applications due to an eligibility mismatch.
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Short answer: February 18, 2026: IRCC updated category-based healthcare eligibility to require 12 months of continuous full-time experience. February 20, 2026: Draw #398 still applied the old 6-month rule, inviting candidates who did not actually qualify under the new policy.
The glitch centers on conflicting work experience requirements:
February 18, 2026: IRCC updated its eligibility criteria for category-based draws. The new requirement specified that healthcare candidates must have 12 months (1 year) of continuous full-time work experience in eligible healthcare occupations.
February 20, 2026: Express Entry Draw #398 was conducted just two days after the policy change. The draw system invited candidates who met the OLD requirement of 6 months of work experience.
This timing gap means the draw operated on outdated eligibility rules. Candidates who had only 6 months of healthcare experience received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) they were not actually eligible for under the updated rules.
Who Was Affected by the Draw #398 Eligibility Error?
Short answer: Affected candidates include healthcare workers with 6 to 11 months of experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes covering physicians, nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedical occupations, and health and safety engineers, including many recent graduates and newly transitioned international healthcare workers.
The primary impact fell on:
Candidates with 6 to 11 months of work experience in designated healthcare occupations
Healthcare professionals who had recently started their careers in Canada
International healthcare workers who had recently transitioned into Canadian roles
Newcomers whose work permit conditions limited their previous work history
The draw targeted occupations in National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes including physicians and surgeons, nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, respiratory therapists, paramedical occupations, and health and safety engineers.
What Was the CRS Score for the Express Entry Healthcare Draw?
Short answer: Draw #398 had a CRS cutoff of approximately 431 points and invited over 1,000 candidates across designated healthcare occupations. The CRS score itself was not the issue; the work-experience eligibility rule applied was 6 months instead of the updated 12-month requirement that had taken effect two days prior, on February 18, 2026.
According to IRCC's rounds of invitations, Express Entry Draw #398 had a CRS cutoff score of approximately 431 points. The draw invited over 1,000 candidates across eligible healthcare occupations. While the CRS score itself was not the issue, the work experience requirement that determined eligibility was.
Draw #398 Detail
Value
Draw Date
February 20, 2026
Category
Healthcare Occupations (category-based)
CRS Cutoff Score
431
Invitations Issued
Over 1,000
Eligibility Rule Applied
6 months (outdated; new rule required 12 months)
New Rule Effective
February 18, 2026
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is calculated based on core human capital factors (age, language ability, education, work experience), spouse or common-law partner factors, transferable skills, and provincial nomination bonuses. Candidates with lower work experience but high language scores or education credentials could have qualified for the 431+ CRS range without meeting the 12-month work experience requirement.
How Did IRCC Respond to the Draw #398 Eligibility Error?
Short answer: IRCC emailed affected candidates within days of the draw, instructing them to withdraw their applications, not proceed with further processing, and await further guidance from the department. IRCC did not provide immediate clarity on reapplication timing, whether a corrected draw would follow, or whether fee refunds would be issued to those who had already paid.
Within days of the draw, IRCC identified the error and contacted affected candidates directly. The communication instructed recipients to:
Withdraw their applications from Express Entry
Not proceed with further processing
Await further guidance from IRCC
This put candidates in a difficult position. Many had already begun gathering supporting documents, notified employers, or made plans based on their ITA. Some had paid professional fees to immigration consultants to prepare their applications.
IRCC did not provide immediate clarity on whether affected candidates could reapply, what the reapplication timeline would look like, or whether a corrected draw would be conducted.
What Does the Draw #398 Glitch Mean for Affected Candidates?
Short answer: Your ITA is no longer valid for processing. You cannot reapply until your work experience reaches 12 months. Your CRS score will likely shift higher once you accumulate that additional experience. The delay also extends your overall immigration timeline, which may affect employment arrangements or other time-sensitive plans.
If you received an ITA in Express Entry Draw #398 and your work experience falls short of the 12-month requirement, you face several challenges:
Application Validity: Your ITA is no longer valid for processing. Submitting your application could result in rejection based on ineligibility, which goes on your immigration record.
Reapplication Timing: You cannot reapply until you meet the eligibility criteria. If you have 6 to 11 months of experience, you need to wait until your work experience reaches 12 months.
CRS Score Changes: When you do reapply, your CRS score may be different. It will likely be higher once you accumulate the required work experience. You would need to re-enter the Express Entry pool and await a new draw invitation.
Processing Timeline Impact: Any delays caused by the glitch extend your overall immigration timeline. For candidates relying on Express Entry to meet employer visa sponsorship deadlines or other time-sensitive factors, this creates genuine hardship. Check current processing times for the latest estimates.
What Should You Do if You Were Affected by Draw #398?
Short answer: If you received a Draw #398 ITA, check your email for IRCC instructions, verify whether you actually meet the 12-month threshold, document your work experience carefully, consult a licensed immigration consultant, and wait for IRCC clarification on future draws.
If You Received an ITA in Draw #398
Check Your Email: IRCC sent specific instructions. Follow them carefully. Do not submit your application if instructed to withdraw.
Verify Your Eligibility: Review the updated work experience requirements. Confirm whether you actually meet the 12-month threshold. Consider the date your current employment began.
Document Your Experience: Even if you are currently ineligible, maintain detailed work records. You will need these when your work experience reaches 12 months.
Seek Professional Advice: Consult with a licensed immigration consultant who can review your specific situation, confirm your eligibility status, advise on reapplication timing, and explore alternative immigration pathways.
Wait for Clarification: IRCC may provide further guidance on whether another healthcare-targeted draw will be conducted or whether affected candidates will receive fee credits.
If You Have 6-11 Months of Healthcare Experience
If you are currently in the Express Entry pool but were not invited in Draw #398, the updated requirement works in your favor once you accumulate 12 months of experience.
Track Your Work Anniversary: Calculate the exact date when you will reach 12 months. This is your eligibility date for future category-based healthcare draws.
Maintain Your Profile: Keep your Express Entry profile current and active. When you hit the 12-month mark, your CRS score will increase due to the additional year of work experience.
Explore Other Options: While waiting, investigate Provincial Nominee Programs that may have lower work experience requirements, employer sponsorship pathways, or other occupational categories where you might qualify.
Find out where your CRS score stands
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What Are the Broader Implications for Express Entry?
Short answer: The glitch highlights questions about IRCC system safeguards: should there be a mandatory delay between policy changes and the next draw, automated eligibility checks to verify all selected candidates before ITAs are issued, and provisions for retroactive fee refunds when administrative errors affect applicants through no fault of their own.
This incident raises important questions about IRCC's system safeguards:
Should IRCC observe a mandatory period between policy announcements and implementation to allow system updates?
Do the draws include automated checks to verify that all selected candidates meet current eligibility criteria before ITAs are issued?
Should IRCC provide retroactive fee refunds for candidates affected by administrative errors?
The Express Entry program processes hundreds of thousands of applications annually. A glitch affecting over 1,000 candidates highlights vulnerabilities in a system that people depend on for life-changing decisions.
What Are the Key Takeaways from the Draw #398 Healthcare Glitch?
Short answer: IRCC raised healthcare requirements from 6 to 12 months on February 18, 2026; Draw #398 on February 20 used the old rule; affected candidates were told to withdraw; CRS cutoff was approximately 431; no automatic fee refunds announced as of March 2026.
IRCC updated healthcare work experience requirements from 6 months to 12 months on February 18, 2026
Draw #398 on February 20 used the old 6-month requirement, inviting ineligible candidates
Affected candidates were instructed to withdraw and reapply once eligible
The CRS cutoff was approximately 431 points
No automatic fee refunds have been announced as of March 2026
Affected candidates should seek professional advice on their specific situation
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most common questions from healthcare professionals who received an invalid Invitation to Apply in Express Entry Draw #398 and want to understand their reapplication options, fee refund status, and eligibility under the updated 12-month work experience requirement that IRCC implemented on February 18, 2026.
Q: Can I reapply immediately if I withdraw from Draw #398?
No. You must first meet the updated eligibility criteria of 12 months of healthcare work experience. Submitting an application before you meet these requirements risks rejection.
Q: Will IRCC refund the application fee?
As of March 2026, IRCC has not announced automatic refunds for Draw #398 affected candidates. Check the official IRCC website for the latest information.
Q: Should I withdraw immediately or wait for more guidance from IRCC?
Follow the specific instructions IRCC sent you. If they instructed you to withdraw, do so promptly. Ignoring a directive and submitting anyway could complicate your file.
Q: What if I am not sure whether I meet the 12-month requirement?
Document all employment with dates, roles, and hours. Work experience must be continuous, full-time (at least 30 hours per week), and in an eligible occupation. Speak with a licensed immigration consultant if dates are unclear.
Q: Will there be another healthcare-focused draw?
IRCC has not announced future category-based draws. The frequency and timing depend on operational needs. Continue monitoring IRCC announcements for updates.
Q: Does this affect my permanent residence prospects overall?
No. A withdrawal due to eligibility does not harm your overall immigration file. You can reapply through Express Entry once you meet requirements. You may also explore Provincial Nominee Programs or other pathways.
Need Help Navigating This Situation?
If you received an ITA in Draw #398 or want to understand how the updated eligibility rules affect your immigration plans, our licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) can help. We work with healthcare professionals and skilled workers from the Middle East and around the world.
The following official Government of Canada sources were used to verify the information in this article. Immigration rules and draw details may be updated by IRCC after publication; readers are encouraged to consult these sources directly for the most current eligibility requirements and Express Entry policies.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
Rami Mamar is an RCIC-IRB licensed immigration consultant and Commissioner of Oaths with over a decade of experience helping clients from Iran, UAE, Syria, Armenia, and worldwide immigrate to Canada. He has overseen 10,000+ immigration cases including Express Entry, work permits, study permits, and family sponsorship applications.
