Canada Starts Category-Based Selection for Express Entry

June 9, 2023

Naju Gadhavi

IRCC announces new selection categories for Express Entry candidates 

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, has introduced a new way of selecting candidates for immigration through Express Entry. The government will prioritize candidates who have a good command of the French language or work experience in specific fields. These fields include: 

• Healthcare. 
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions. 
• Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors. 
• Transport. 
• Agriculture and agri-food. 

What is an express entry?  

Express Entry is a system that was established in 2015 to meet Canada’s changing economic and job market requirements. It manages three immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Workers Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.  

Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors like work experience, language proficiency, occupation, education, and more. Candidates with higher CRS scores have a greater chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. 

Reason for introducing new categories:  

New Express Entry categories have been introduced to give priority to candidates who have strong French language skills or work experience in specific fields. The government wants to attract individuals who can contribute to Canada’s healthcare, science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), trades, transportation, agriculture, and agri-food sectors. These categories aim to align immigration with the country’s current labor market needs and promote diversity in Canada’s workforce. 

Criteria for category selection:  

The categories were chosen based on the specific needs and priorities of Canada’s economy and labor market. The government identified areas where there is a high demand for skilled workers or where certain skills and expertise are in short supply. The categories of strong French language proficiency and work experience were selected to address these specific needs and promote economic growth in those sectors. 

What should I do if my occupation is not listed?  

If your occupation is not listed in the new Express Entry category, there are still options available to you. You can participate in the general draws that continue to take place alongside the category-based rounds. This means you can still be considered for an invitation to apply for permanent residency. 

Additionally, provinces and territories in Canada can still select candidates from the Express Entry pool for their provincial nomination programs. If you receive a provincial nomination, you will also receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through either the general draws or provincial Express Entry draws. 

In summary, even if your occupation is not listed in the new Express Entry category, you can still be considered for permanent residency through general draws and provincial nomination programs. Keep an eye on updates from IRCC and explore all available options to maximize your chances of immigration success. 

Need step-by-step guidance to apply for Canada PR visa? Visit SPS Canada immigration  

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