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Canada Express Entry Category-Based Selection
Canada Express Entry Category-Based Selection
All That You Need to Know about Express Entry’s Category-Based Selections
On May 31, 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada announced a significant shift in their approach to selecting Express Entry candidates. Since June 2022, the Canadian government has been strategically planning category-based selection draws, marking a change in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This amendment now allows for the selection of immigrants based on specific attributes that align with Canada’s economic priorities.
The reasoning behind this change is rooted in the belief of the IRCC that inviting more skilled workers in particular professions will contribute to Canada’s goal of integrating in-demand occupations into communities throughout the nation.
During category-based rounds of invitations, candidates receive invitations to apply for a Canada PR visa based on criteria such as
- Their ability to communicate in a specific official language,
- work experience in a particular occupation, and
- Educational background.
In this post, we’ll delve into an overview of how category-based selection draws for Express Entry operate. Additionally, we’ll shed light on the priority categories slated for upcoming draws in 2024 and outline the eligibility requirements necessary for receiving an invitation to apply for a Canada PR visa.
Express Entry Draw Categories:
French Language Proficiency:
Prioritizing the integration of French-speaking newcomers, Canada aims to foster economic growth through Francophone immigration outside Quebec. This approach acknowledges the positive impact of French speakers on communities and seeks to enhance their strength and diversity. To be eligible in the French-Language Proficiency category, you must:
- Obtain French-language test results with a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux De Compétence Linguistique Canadiens.
- Fulfil all requirements specified in the instructions for that particular invitation round. Notably, unlike the other five selection categories, French-Language Proficiency does not prioritise work experience as the primary criterion for a Canada PR invitation.
Healthcare Occupations:
Acknowledging the crucial role of immigration in filling healthcare positions, Canada addresses the substantial demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector. Recent job vacancy data from Statistics Canada indicates a staggering 153,000 unfilled positions in health care and social assistance as of April 2023, marking the highest vacancy levels across all employment sectors. To qualify under the Healthcare Occupations category, you must:
- Possess a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the last 3 years, either in Canada or abroad, specifically in one of the 35 NOCs targeted for the Healthcare Occupations Category.
- Satisfy all the requirements outlined in the instructions for the respective round of invitations.
| OCCUPATION | NOC CODE |
|---|---|
| Audiologists and speech-language pathologists | 31112 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 |
| Dentists | 31110 |
| Dieticians and Nutritionists | 31121 |
| Education counselors | 41320 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 |
| Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment | 31204 |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
| Massage therapists | 32201 |
| Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 |
| Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 |
| Medical radiation technologists | 32121 |
| Medical sonographers | 32122 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates | 33102 |
| Nurse practitioners | 31302 |
| Nursing coordinators and supervisors | 31300 |
| Occupational therapists | 31203 |
| Optometrists | 31111 |
| Other assisting occupations in support of health services | 33109 |
| Other practitioners of natural healing | 32209 |
| Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating | 31209 |
| Other technical occupations in therapy and assessments | 32109 |
| Paramedical occupations | 32102 |
| Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants | 33103 |
| Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals | 31303 |
| Physiotherapists | 31202 |
| Psychologists | 31200 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 |
| Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 |
| Specialists in surgery | 31101 |
| Therapists in counselling and related specialised therapies | 41301 |
| Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists | 32200 |
| Veterinarians | 31103 |
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations:
The foundation of Canada’s dynamic economy rests on the shoulders of STEM professionals. In the final quarter of 2022, an impressive 56,915 job vacancies were identified within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector alone. Provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia are leading the charge, showcasing their cutting-edge and innovation-centric industries. To qualify under the STEM Occupations category, you must:
- Possess a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the last 3 years, either in Canada or abroad, specifically in one of the 24 NOCs designated for the STEM Occupations Category.
- Fulfill all the requirements detailed in the instructions for the respective invitation round.
| OCCUPATION | NOC CODE |
|---|---|
| Architects | 21200 |
| Architecture and Science Managers | 20011 |
| Business Systems Specialists | 21221 |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 20012 |
| Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers and Designers) | 21311 |
| Computer Systems Developers and Programmers | 21230 |
| Cyber security Specialists | 21220 |
| Data Scientists | 21211 |
| Database Analysts and Data Administrators | 21223 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineers | 21310 |
| Engineering Managers | 20010 |
| Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers | 21321 |
| Information Systems Specialists | 21222 |
| Land Surveyors | 21203 |
| Landscape Architects | 21201 |
| Mathematicians, Statisticians, And Actuaries | 21210 |
| Metallurgical and Materials Engineers | 21322 |
| Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers | 41400 |
| Software Developers and Programmers | 21232 |
| Software Engineers and Designers | 21231 |
| Urban and Land Use Planners | 21202 |
| Web Designers | 321233 |
| Web Developers and Programmers | 21234 |
Trade Occupations Category:
The demand for Trade Occupations in Canada remains robust, as these roles play a pivotal part in various industries across the country. Skilled trades like Electricians, Plumbers, and Carpenters are essential for the construction of homes, buildings, and infrastructure. The growing population and continuous construction projects contribute to the sustained demand for these trades. To qualify under the Trade Occupations category, you must:
- Possess a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the last 3 years, in Canada or abroad, specifically in one of the 10 NOCs targeted for the Trade Occupations category.
- Fulfill all the requirements outlined in the instructions for the respective round.
| OCCUPATION | NOC CODE |
|---|---|
| Residential and commercial installers and servicers | 73200 |
| Elevator constructors and mechanics | 72406 |
| Machine fitters | 72405 |
| Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 |
| Carpenters | 72310 |
| Plumbers | 72300 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power systems) | 72200 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 |
| Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers | 72014 |
Transport Occupations:
While reported projections and figures may vary among sources, overall surveys indicate that Canada will need to hire over 17,000 additional truck drivers annually from the present until 2025 to address labor market shortages. To be eligible under the Transport Occupations category, you must:
- Have at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the last 3 years, either in Canada or abroad, specifically in one of the 10 NOCs designated for the Transport Occupations Category.
- Meet all the requirements detailed in the instructions for the respective round.
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | 2021 TEER Category |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors | 93200 | 3 |
| Transport truck drivers | 73300 | 3 |
| Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators | 72604 | 2 |
| Engineer officers, water transport | 72602 | 2 |
| Air traffic controllers and related occupations | 72601 | 2 |
| Air pilots, flight engineers, and flying instructors | 72600 | 2 |
| Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors | 72404 | 2 |
| Railway carmen/women | 72403 | 2 |
| Managers in transportation | 70020 | 0 |
Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations:
By the close of 2022, the job vacancy rate in the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting category stood at 10,535, representing 3.9%. To be eligible under the Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations Category, you must:
- Possess a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the last 3 years, either in Canada or abroad, specifically in one of the 3 NOCs targeted for the Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations Category.
- Fulfill all the requirements outlined in the instructions for the respective round.
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | 2021 TEER Category |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and horticulture services | 82031 | 2 |
| Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors | 82030 | 2 |
| Butchers- retail and wholesale | 63201 | 3 |
Category-based Selection Draw Application Process:
Embarking on Canada’s Express Entry system journey initiates with the creation of an online profile within your secure account with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once your profile is established, you enter the Express Entry pool, where your eligibility for programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, or Canadian Experience Class is assessed.
During your time in the pool, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is meticulously calculated, taking various factors into account to provide a comprehensive evaluation of your profile. Accessible through your IRCC account, this score offers transparency regarding your standing.
The subsequent step involves identifying candidates eligible for specific categories established by the Minister. This categorization is pivotal in shaping the subsequent ranking of Express Entry profiles. Eligible candidates are then ranked based on their CRS scores, laying the groundwork for the upcoming round of invitations.
In the invitation round, candidates with the highest CRS scores are extended invitations to apply for economic immigration programs. In category-based rounds, meeting eligibility for a particular category becomes an additional criterion for invitation.
Upon receiving an invitation, candidates are granted a 60-day window to submit their application for permanent residence under a specific Express Entry program. The final decision on the application takes into account program eligibility, the accuracy of the information provided in the profile, category eligibility, and the candidate’s overall admissibility to Canada. This structured and transparent process ensures a fair and systematic approach to selecting individuals for permanent residence in Canada.
As of now, IRCC has conducted 17 invitation rounds under the newly launched category-based selection for Express Entry draws.
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