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Canada Express Entry Category-Based Selection

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    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.

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    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.
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    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
    Canada Job Demand list 2024

    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.

    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:

    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
    • 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.
    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 aUpon 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.n additional criterion for invitation.
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