Migrating to Canada as a permanent resident gets easier for certain candidates. Know the new changes to plan better. You have higher chances to get Canada PR in 2024 if your occupation comes under STEM, healthcare, transport etc.
In the latest Canada immigration news, IRCC has announced a new process for welcoming newcomers. Category-based selection Canada will help select prospective permanent residents that have skilled work experience in priority jobs.
In this post, we'll explore the top 5 facts about Canada's new category-based selection system for immigration.
1. What Is Category-Based Selection ?
Canadian employers are looking for skilled immigrants to fill many vacant positions throughout the country. Immigration is looked upon as holding an answer to fixing the gap in the Canadian labour market.
Canada looks at building an immigration system that can serve the four objectives of -
- Promoting growth,
- Empowering Canadian businesses,
- Helping address labour shortages, and
- Strengthening French speaking communities.
With a category-based Express Entry selection process, Canada can hold targeted Express Entry draws for those with specific skills, language ability, or training.
2. Express Entry category-based draws held in 2023-24
A total of 11 category-based draws have been held by IRCC so far.
|
Category-Based Express Entry Draws 2023-24 |
|||||
|
Serial No. |
Category |
Minimum CRS Score |
Invitations issued |
Date of Draw |
IRCC Draw Number |
|
12 |
French language |
CRS 365 |
7000 |
Jan 31, 2024 |
Express Entry Draw #285 |
|
11 |
Healthcare |
CRS 431 |
3600 |
Oct 26, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #273 |
|
10 |
Agriculture |
CRS 354 |
600 |
Sep 28, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #270 |
|
9 |
French speaking |
CRS 472 |
500 |
Sep 27, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #269 |
|
8 |
Health occupations |
CRS 350-462 |
1,696 |
Sep 26, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #268 |
|
7 |
Trades |
CRS 388 |
1500 |
Aug 03, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #261 |
|
6 |
French language proficiency |
CRS 435 |
800 |
Aug 02, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #260 |
|
5 |
French language proficiency |
CRS 375 |
3,800 |
July 12, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #258 |
|
4 |
French language proficiency |
CRS 439 |
2,300 |
July 7, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #256 |
|
3 |
Healthcare occupations |
CRS 463 |
1,500 |
July 6, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #255 |
|
2 |
STEM occupations |
CRS 486 |
500 |
July 5, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #254 |
|
1 |
Healthcare occupations |
CRS 476 |
500 |
June 28, 2023 |
Express Entry Draw #252 |
|
Note. - The first category based draw by IRCC took place on June 28, 2023. - So far, a total of 24,296 ITAs have been issued in 11 IRCC category-based Express Entry draws. |
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As per IRCC, the first category-based invitations to apply under the Express Entry system are expected to be sent this summer.
Further details will be given in the coming weeks on -
- The timing for invitation rounds, and
- How to apply for Express Entry category-based invitation.
3. What Are The Categories under Category-based selection for 2024?
IRCC has selected six categories for Canada Express Entry category-based selection in 2024.
|
Express Entry Category-Based Selection - Six Categories for 2024 |
|
|
Category |
Who is eligible? |
|
1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) occupations |
At least 6 month’s work experience (within last 3 years from applying) in a single occupation from any 1 of the 24 STEM occupations. Experience can have been gained in Canada or working overseas. |
|
2. Healthcare occupations |
At least 6 month’s continuous work experience (within 3 years from applying) in a single occupation from any 1 of the 35 healthcare occupations. Experience can have been gained in Canada or working overseas. |
|
3. Trade occupations |
At least 6 month’s continuous work experience (within 3 years from applying) in a single occupation from any 1 of the 10 trade occupations. Experience can have been gained in Canada or working overseas. |
|
4. Transport occupations |
At least 6 month’s continuous work experience (within 3 years from applying) in a single occupation from any 1 of the 10 transport occupations.
Experience can have been gained in Canada or working overseas |
|
5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations |
At least 6 month’s continuous work experience (within 3 years from applying) in a single occupation from any 1 of the 3 agriculture and agri-food occupations. Experience can have been gained in Canada or working overseas |
|
6. French-language proficiency |
French proficient candidates with a minimum score of CLB 7 in all 4 abilities on either - ● TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français ● TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français |
Candidates will have to meet all requirements as per the eligibility details given in the instructions for that particular EE round of invitations.
4. What Are The Three types of Express Entry draws?
Going ahead, category-based selection Canada will be one of the three kinds of EE draws by IRCC.
|
Express Entry - Types of IRCC Draws in 2024 |
|
|
Type |
Who is invited |
|
1. General |
Top-ranking candidates eligible for either - ● FSWP ● FSTP ● CEC |
|
2. Program-specific |
Top-ranking candidates from a specific EE program |
|
3. Category-based |
Invitations issued based on category specified. After the category is decided, the top-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool that are eligible for that category will receive invitations. |
Note. FSWP: Federal Skilled Worker Program. FSTP: Federal Skilled Trades Program. CEC: Canadian Experience Class.
Different types of Express Entry draws will be held by IRCC throughout the year, inviting prospective immigrants to apply for Canada PR visas for permanent residence.
5. Occupations that come under new category-based selection Canada
|
Express Entry System New Category-Based Selection | Occupation List |
||
|
Category |
Total number of occupations |
Occupations |
|
STEM |
24 |
● NOC 21300 Civil Engineers ● NOC 21232 Software developers and programmers ● NOC 21234 Web developers and programmers ● NOC 21233 Web designers ● NOC 21231 Software engineers and designers ● NOC 21223 Database analysts and data administrators ● NOC 21211 Data Scientists ● NOC 21200 Architects ● NOC 21220 Cybersecurity Specialists ● NOC 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers ● NOC 21311 Computer Engineers (except Software Engineers and Designers) ● NOC 20011 Architecture and science managers ● NOC 21221 Business systems specialists ● NOC 20012 Computer and Information Systems Managers ● NOC 21201 Landscape Architects ● NOC 41400 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers ● NOC 21322 Metallurgical and materials engineers ● NOC 21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries ● NOC 21203 Land surveyors ● NOC 21222 Information systems specialists ● NOC 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers ● NOC 20010 Engineering managers ● NOC 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers ● NOC 21202 Urban and land use planners
|
|
Healthcare |
35 |
● NOC 32201 Massage therapists ● NOC 31110 Dentists ● NOC 31111 Optometrists ● NOC 31202 Physiotherapists ● NOC 31200 Psychologists ● NOC 31103 Veterinarians ● NOC 32122 Medical sonographers ● NOC 42203 Instructors of persons with disabilities ● NOC 31203 Occupational therapists ● NOC 31300 Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors ● NOC 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupation in therapy and assessment ● NOC 32101 Licensed practical nurses ● NOC 31201 Chiropractors ● NOC 31102 General practitioners and family physicians ● NOC 41320 Education counsellors ● NOC 31121 Dieticians and nutritionists ● NOC 31112 Audiologists and speech language pathologists ● NOC 31302 Nurse practitioners ● NOC 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services ● NOC 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates ● NOC 32121 Medical radiation technologists ● NOC 32120 Medical laboratory technologists ● NOC 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations ● NOC 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals ● NOC 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists ● NOC 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses ● NOC 32102 Paramedical occupations ● NOC 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants ● NOC 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment ● NOC 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating ● NOC 32209 Other practitioners of natural healing ● NOC 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists ● NOC 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies ● NOC 31101 Specialists in surgery ● NOC 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
|
|
Trade |
10 |
● NOC 72300 Plumbers ● NOC 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system) ● NOC 72310 Carpenters ● NOC 72405 Machine fitters ● NOC 72014 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers ● NOC 72106 Welders and related machine operators ● NOC 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics ● NOC 72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics ● NOC 72406 Elevator constructors and mechanics ● NOC 73200 Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
|
Transport |
10 |
● NOC 70020 Managers in transportation ● NOC 72403 Railway carmen/women ● NOC 72404 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors ● NOC 72600 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors ● NOC 72603 Engineer officers, water transport ● NOC 72602 Deck officers, water transport ● NOC 72601 Air traffic controllers and related occupations ● NOC 72604 Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators ● NOC 73300 Transport truck drivers ● NOC 93200 Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors |
|
Agriculture and agri-food occupations |
3 |
● NOC 63201 Butchers (retail and wholesale) ● NOC 82030 Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors ● NOC 82031 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services |
The roles and responsibilities of the above occupations should match with your profile for you apply under this category. Speak to our experts to know more.
Other Details
Category-based selection announced
On May 31, 2023, the federal government of Canada announced the “first-ever launch of category-based selection for Canada’s flagship economic immigration management system, Express Entry”. The announcement was made by Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The proposed selection of new Canadian permanent residents based on categories will ensure that “Canadians benefit from economic and social prosperity for years to come”.
PNP candidates - The road ahead
Express Entry candidates with a nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will continue to be invited through -
- General, and
- Program specific (PNP-specific) rounds.
Canadian immigration results in almost 100% of the growth of Canada’s labour force. The number of occupations in Canada facing shortages doubled in 2019-21, as per Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
With the proposed changes, Express Entry will change for the better in the months to come. According to Canada’s immigration minister Sean Fraser, “Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.”
Canada remains the top country for those seeking permanent residency by migrating overseas. There are many pathways available to get a Canada PR visa. The right route to Canadian immigration for you will be as per your individual circumstances.
For more details, contact us today! Free consultation available.
