Things To Know About Category-Based Selection Under Express Entry 2024

The Express Entry system, known for its efficiency and effectiveness in managing Canada’s immigration applications for skilled workers, has evolved to incorporate category-based rounds of invitations. Complementing the overall and Program-specific rounds, these category-focused rounds aim to spot and invite top-ranking candidates meeting specific economic requirements of Canada.

The Category-based selections in Canada’s Express Entry system, empower the country to increase Invitations to use (ITAs) to potential applicants who possess particular skills, training, or language proficiencies. Initiated in 2023, these category-based draws are set to continue with an equivalent classification in 2024, as announced by IRCC.

Complementing the overall and Program-specific rounds, these category-focused rounds aim to spot and invite top-ranking candidates meeting specific economic requirements of Canada. Selection criteria include proficiency in a politician language, relevant work experience in key sectors, and academic qualifications.

Such a strategic approach by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) underscores a commitment to fulfilling distinct economic objectives. It involves selecting eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool supported defined category requirements, thereby streamlining the immigration process to align with Canada’s economic needs.

What Is Canada’s Category Based Selection?

Category-based invitation rounds target candidates within the Express Entry pool who qualify for specific categories set by the Minister to realize certain economic objectives. Candidates are invited to use for permanent residence supported factors such as:

1. Proficiency during a specific official language
2. Work experience during a particular occupation
3. Educational qualifications

Objectives Of Category-Based Selection IRCC

Canada looks at building an immigration system which will serve the four objectives of –

1. Promoting growth,
2. Empowering Canadian businesses,
3. Helping address labor shortages
4. Strengthening French-speaking communities.

Current Categories

This targeted approach focuses on six key categories, each playing an important role in bolstering Canada’s economic landscape:

1. French-language proficiency

Encouraging candidates who are proficient in French, reflecting Canada’s commitment to bilingualism and therefore the need for French-speaking professionals.

2. Healthcare occupations 

Addressing the critical demand for healthcare professionals and supporting the robustness of Canada’s healthcare system.

3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations

Fostering growth in these innovative and ever-evolving sectors.

4. Trade occupations

Recognizing the importance of skilled trades in driving the economy.

5. Transport occupations

Ensuring the efficiency and reliability of Canada’s transport sector.

6. Agriculture and agri-food occupations

Supporting the agricultural sector, vital for the country’s food security and economic health.

The categories can change on a yearly basis to support what’s reported to parliament. annually the IRCC will report: 

1. the categories they chose from the previous year
2. why and the way they chose them
3. the instructions to determine a category
4. the number of invitations issued for every category

Eligibility

To be eligible for a call for participation through a category-based round, all requirements for that round must be met. There also are specific conditions that have got to be met counting on the category that’s being targeted. 

For the 2024 categories, eligibility includes: 

1. French-language Proficiency 

By prioritizing the invitation of French-speaking newcomers, Canada aims to support the economic process through Francophone immigration outside Quebec while recognizing how it enriches and strengthens these communities. 

To be eligible under the French-Language Proficiency category, you must

French-language test results that show a minimum score of seven altogether 4 language abilities on the Niveaux De Compétence Linguistique Canadiens. Meet all of the wants within the instructions for that invitation round.

As compared to the opposite five newly announced selection categories, French-Language Proficiency is the one that doesn’t consider work experience because the key attribute to be invited to use for Canada PR.

2. Healthcare Occupations

Canada relies tons on immigration to fill healthcare jobs. The foremost recent job vacancy data from Statistics Canada shows that there have been 153,000 vacant positions in health care and supplementary benefits in April 2023. This is often the very best level of vacancies across all employment sectors. 

To be eligible under the Healthcare Occupations category, you must:

Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the past 3 years in Canada or abroad, in one among the 35 NOCs targeted for the Healthcare Occupations Category. Meet all of the wants within the instructions for that round.

3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations

STEM professions are the backbone of Canada’s evolving economy. Within the fourth quarter of 2022, there have been a staggering 56,915 job vacancies within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services category alone. Provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia are at the forefront of this demand – showcasing their progressive and innovation-driven industries. 

To be eligible under the Healthcare Occupations category, you must:

Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the past 3 years in Canada or abroad, in one among the 24 NOCs targeted for the STEM Occupations Category.Meet all of the wants within the instructions for that round.

4. Trade Occupations

The demand for Trade Occupations in Canada remains strong as these jobs still play an important role in various industries throughout the country. Skilled trades, like Electricians, Plumbers, and Carpenters, are essential for constructing homes, buildings, and infrastructure. The growing population and ongoing construction projects contribute to the consistent need for these trades. 

To be eligible under the Trade Occupations category, you must:

Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the past 3 years in Canada or abroad, in one among the ten NOCs targeted for the Trade Occupations category.Meet all of the wants within the instructions for that round.

5. Transport Occupations

Though reported projections and figures differ among sources, the general survey indicates that from this until 2025, Canada will have to hire over 17,000 additional truck drivers annually to stay up with the market shortages.

To be eligible under the Transport Occupations category, you must:

Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the past 3 years in Canada or abroad, in one among the ten NOCs targeted for the Transport Occupations Category. Meet all of the wants within the instructions for that round.

6. Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations

To be eligible under the Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations Category, you must:

Have a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience within the past 3 years in Canada or abroad, in one among the three NOCs targeted for the Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations Category. Meet all of the wants within the instructions for that round.

Category-Based Selection Draw Application Process

The process of participating in Canada’s Express Entry system begins with the creation of a web profile in your secure account with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Once your profile is established, you’re placed within the Express Entry pool, where eligibility for programs just like the Federal trained worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, or Canadian Experience Class is decided.

During some time within the pool, your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is calculated supporting various factors, providing a comprehensive evaluation of your profile. This score is accessible through your IRCC account, offering transparency into your standing.

The next step involves the identification of candidates eligible for specific categories established by the Minister. This categorization may be a crucial aspect of the choice process, shaping the next ranking of Express Entry profiles. 

Eligible candidates are then ranked to support their CRS scores, setting the stage for the next round of invitations. Within the invitation round, candidates with the very best CRS scores are invited to use for economic immigration programs. In category-based rounds, eligibility for a specific category is a further criterion for invitation.

Upon receiving a call for participation, candidates have a 60-day window to submit their application for permanent residence under a selected Express Entry program. The ultimate decision on the appliance is formed considering program eligibility, the accuracy of the knowledge provided within the profile, category eligibility, and therefore the candidate’s overall admissibility to Canada. 

This structured and transparent process ensures a good and systematic approach to selecting individuals for permanent residence in Canada. IRCC has thus far conducted 17 invitation rounds under the newly launched category-based selection for Express Entry draws.