Yes. Candidates must still meet the eligibility criteria for an Express Entry managed program. Eligible programs are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

A candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will still matter for Express Entry draws. IRCC will continue to hold draws where candidates are invited, even if they don’t fit into one of the six categories — like all-program or program-specific draws.

For category-based draws, IRCC will invite the top-ranking candidates who meet the specific category requirements to apply for permanent residence.

Canada’s immigration minister works to support the country’s economic goals and promote French-speaking communities outside Quebec to protect French as an official language.

The new categories aim to fill many job vacancies across Canada, help reduce labor shortages, and grow French-speaking populations in minority communities. Minister Fraser says bringing in more skilled workers will help meet demand and strengthen communities nationwide

According to IRCC, categories were chosen following mandatory discussions and public consultations with stakeholders including provinces and territories, members of industry, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and immigration researchers and practitioners.

The categories can change each year based on an IRCC report to Parliament. The report includes:

• The categories from the past year
• Why and how they were chosen
• The steps to create each category
• The number of invitations issued for each category

This information will also be part of the Express Entry Year-End Report.

Eligibility Check: Determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for the category-based draw you are interested in.

-Gathering Necessary Documents: Collect all required documents, such as educational credentials, work experience letters, and language test results.

-Creating an Express Entry Profile: Complete your profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date.

• Health Sector Documentation: Educational credentials, professional licenses, employment records.
• STEM Sector Documentation: Academic transcripts, professional certifications, work experience letters.
• Trades Sector Documentation: Vocational training certificates, trade licenses, and proof of practical experience.
• Transport Sector Documentation: Qualifications, licensing, employment verification.
• Agriculture Sector Documentation: Educational certificates, special skills certifications, and work experience documentation.
• French Proficiency Documentation: Language test results, work experience in French-speaking environments, additional language qualifications.

IRCC announced that category-based invitation rounds will happen alongside general and provincial draws, meaning all program draws will still continue. Even if your job isn’t on the in-demand list, you can still be invited through a general draw.

Provinces and territories will keep selecting candidates from the Express Entry pool. If you get a provincial nomination, it shows you have the skills, education, and work experience needed to support the local economy, increasing your chances of receiving an invitation through a general or provincial draw.

Yes, Express Entry will have three types of draws throughout the year:

• General draws: Invite the top candidates from the pool who qualify for one of the three Express Entry programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
• Program-specific draws: Invite top candidates for a specific program, like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where only PNP-eligible candidates get invited.
• Category-based draws: The Minister of Immigration sets categories to meet Canada’s economic needs. Top candidates in those categories will be invited once they’re established.