IRCC Launched Express Entry Category Based Selection Draws
The first Express Entry Category Based Selection draw is expected this summer. This is Canada’s first category-based selection for its Express Entry system. To make Express Entry more responsive to the Canadian labour market, Canada took the initiative to offer IRCC targeted draws.Â
Before category-based Express Entry draws, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) was only able to invite applicants based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and programme class, which includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP). Along with category-based draws, Canada will continue to hold all-program and program-specific draws.
What is Express Entry Category based selection?
In rounds of invitations based on categories, IRCC extends invitations to individuals who fall under one of the categories they created to achieve a particular economic objective. IRCC urges applicants to submit applications for permanent residence based on standards like
- Ability to communicate in a particular official language
- Work experience in a specific Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- Education
Category-based selection rounds supplement general and program-specific rounds by extending invitations to the most qualified candidates who can assist Canada in achieving these particular economic objectives. The selected categories will be made known in advance.
How IRCC targeted draws works?
IRCC targeted draws are chosen based on the following:
- The information provided by IRCC partners, which include provinces and territories and stakeholders around the nation, and
- The information about the Canadian labour market labour assessment.
IRCC will update Parliament annually on the following:
- The categories IRCC chose last year, why they selected them, and how.
- The guidelines for creating an IRCC-targeted draws
- How many invitations for category-based draws IRCC sends out in each category
In addition,
- Include details on category based selection in the Express Entry Year-End Report.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate categories.
ÙŒCategories chosen for Express Entry Category Based Selection in 2023
For 2023, IRCC targeted draws chose the below categories:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
Who qualifies for IRCC targeted draws?
You must satisfy all criteria listed in the instructions for an Express Entry Category Based Selection round to be qualified for an invitation through that round. When IRCC conducts an invitation round based on categories, IRCC will:
- Applicants who fit the criteria for the IRCC targeted draws are ranked in the pool and
- Top individuals to submit applications for permanent residence
Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, has declared the beginning of category-based draw IRCC for Express Entry applicants. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will pay special attention to Express Entry candidates with employment experience in the following fields or who speak French fluently. According to the minister, enabling IRCC to send more invitations to qualified individuals in these professions will help Canada meet its objective of attracting in-demand workers to all its areas.
French language category Eligibility
You must have French language test results from the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens that indicate a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities and fulfil all conditions in the guidelines for that round to be eligible. The guidelines for each round will include a complete description of eligibility requirements.
Healthcare occupations Eligibility
You must have completed at least 6 months of continuous employment (in Canada or abroad) within the previous three years in one of the occupations specified in the table below and all other requirements stated in the instructions for that round to be eligible. The guidelines for each round will include a complete description of eligibility requirements. A full list of eligible occupations under the new healthcare categories is available here.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) jobs category Eligibility
To qualify, you must have completed at least six months of continuous employment in the preceding three years in one of the occupations mentioned in the table below and meet all other conditions outlined in the instructions for that round. A complete list of eligible occupations under the new Express Entry STEM categories is available here.
Trade occupations Eligibility
You must have completed at least 6 months of continuous employment (in Canada or abroad) within the previous three years in one of the occupations specified in the table below and all other requirements stated in the instructions for that round to be eligible. A full list of eligible occupations under the new trade occupations categories is available here.
Transport occupations Eligibility
You must have completed all the requirements in the guidelines for that round and have at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the occupations specified in the table below to be eligible. A full list of eligible occupations under the new transport occupations categories is available here.
Agriculture and Agri-food Eligibility
You must have completed all the requirements in the guidelines for that round and have at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the occupations specified in the table below to be eligible. A full list of eligible occupations under the new agriculture and agri-food occupations categories is available here.
About Express Entry Canada
To address the shifting demands of Canada’s economy and labour sector, Express Entry was launched in 2015. Three economic immigration programs are managed using this application management system.:
- The Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP),
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates for these programmes receive scores based on human capital variables such as job experience, language proficiency, occupation, education, and more using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The applicants who received the highest total CRS score were the most likely recipients of an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence.
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