Canada announced category-based Express Entry draws

01 June, 2023

Canada announced category-based Express Entry draws

The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) introduced an innovative pathway to embrace highly skilled individuals who wish to migrate to Canada. Starting this summer, Express Entry will implement a revamped selection system, employing category-specific criteria during draws.

New Express Entry Categories

The Express Entry system, Canada's immigration system, is currently undergoing significant changes. Going forward, Express Entry will be implementing more targeted selection rounds, which have the potential to enhance your prospects of immigrating to Canada.

The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) recently unveiled new category-based Express Entry draws. These categories aim to refine the selection process by enabling candidates to be chosen based on specific criteria aligned with Canada's labour market demand.

This change holds great significance as Express Entry previously relied on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to select candidates, taking into account factors like age, education, work experience, and proficiency in English or French. However, the introduction of new selection categories now includes additional criteria, such as work experience in high-demand occupations or proficiency in the French language.

These newly added categories are designed to address Canada's labour market requirements by enabling a more targeted selection of candidates with specific skills. As a result, this change can enhance their prospects of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Check out more about the Express Entry based on categories here:

The first category-based Express Entry draw is expected to take place this summer. These draws will focus on candidates who have:

a strong French language proficiency; or
work experience in the following fields:
- Healthcare
- science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport
- agriculture and agri-food

In the context of the five specific occupation categories, it is essential for all candidates to fulfill the following criteria:

1. Comply with all the requirements and instructions outlined for the particular draw/round.

2. Acquire a minimum of 6 months of uninterrupted work experience in a single eligible occupation, either in Canada or abroad, within the past 3 years, of the following professions:

Residential and commercial installers and services – 73200
Elevator construction and mechanics – 72406
Machine fitters – 72405
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
Carpenters – 72310
Plumbers – 72300
Electricians – 72200
Welders and related machine operators – 72106
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and services – 72014

These requirements are essential to ensure that candidates possess the necessary skills to integrate successfully into Canada's labour market and make a positive contribution to society as a whole. It is important to be aware of these requirements when applying through Express Entry and, if needed, to seek improvement in language skills or obtain additional work experience.

When will category-based rounds of invitations start?

Category-based draws are expected to initiate during the summer season. Further details are likely to be released in the coming weeks.

What to expect about the changes to Express Entry draws?

The implementation of the category-based is an important step towards making the immigration process more efficient and aligning labour market needs with candidate profiles. However, it is important to highlight that Express Entry remains a merit-based system, meaning that those with relevant skills and experiences will have a higher chance of being selected.

“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour 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 labour 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.” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a media release.

Also, if you're interested in relocating to Canada but uncertain about which program you might qualify for, contact the e-Visa Immigration team for assistance exploring the possibilities available.