New Selection Categories Announced for Express Entry Candidates

Sean Fraser, Canada's Immigration Minister, has made an exciting announcement that will open up new opportunities for Express Entry candidates. The Express Entry system has introduced category-based selection draws, targeting specific professions to address Canada's workforce demands.

Express Entry’s Six New Categories

The six new categories unveiled by IRCC include healthcare, STEM professionals, trades (such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors), transport, and agriculture. Candidates with a strong French language proficiency or relevant work experience in these fields will be prioritized.

To be eligible for the category-based draws, candidates must have at least six months of continuous work experience in a single listed occupation within the past three years. Detailed eligibility requirements will be provided in the instructions for each round.

This strategic move by IRCC aims to attract highly skilled workers who can contribute to Canada's economy and integrate into communities nationwide. The selected occupations under these categories are on the official IRCC website.

The draws under the new categories are anticipated to commence in the upcoming summer, offering prospective candidates a chance to make their Express Entry dreams a reality. Calculate your CRS scores to find out if you’re eligible.

In response to labor shortages and the need to enhance the presence of the French language in non-Quebec French communities, IRCC has introduced new categories to fill job vacancies across Canada. Immigration is expected to be vital in addressing the labor deficit and promoting French language utilization in these communities.

Fraser stated, “Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country experiencing chronic labor shortages. These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure they have the skilled workers needed to grow and succeed. We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labor shortages while increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities. Put simply, Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.”

Jobs That Meet The Requirements

The following tables showcase various occupations eligible for Express Entry’s new categories.

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Addressing Canada's Workforce Shortage

In category-based rounds of invitations, candidates who meet specific eligibility criteria established by the Minister are invited to apply for permanent residence, contributing to identified economic goals. The criteria for these invitations include the following:

• Ability to communicate in a specific official language
• Work experience in a specific Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) category of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• Educational qualifications

Category-based rounds complement general and program-specific rounds by prioritizing top-ranking candidates who can help meet specific economic goals.

The chosen categories are announced in advance, providing transparency and clarity to potential applicants.

Selection and Reporting Process

The selection of categories is based on labor market information, projections, and input received from various stakeholders, including provinces, territories, and partners across the country. Each year, a report is submitted to Parliament, providing details such as:

• Categories chosen in the previous year
• Rationale behind the selection and establishment of categories
• Instructions for each category
• Number of invitations issued for each category

Candidates with a Provincial or Territorial Nomination

Candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination continue to be invited through general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds. These individuals have demonstrated the necessary skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the respective province or territory's economy.