News & Articles

IRCC’s Category-Based Selection Aims to Address Critical Gaps in Canada’s Labor Market

Canada has recently conducted its second Express Entry draw of the week, inviting 3,500 candidates with healthcare occupations to apply for permanent residency. 

The draw, which utilized a category-based selection approach, was administered by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Express Entry Draw Results Updates for 2024

To be eligible for consideration, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 422. 

This draw follows a general draw held on February 13, where 1,490 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 535 were issued invitations to apply (ITAs).

This year, Canada has already conducted one other category-based selection draw. 

Taking place on February 1, the draw targeted candidates with strong French language proficiency, resulting in 7,000 ITAs being issued—the largest draw of the year thus far.

In January, three general draws collectively invited a total of 3,280 candidates. The minimum CRS scores for these draws ranged between 546 and 541, demonstrating the competitive nature of the selection process.

What is the category-based selection?

The category-based selection was introduced by IRCC in May 2023 to streamline the invitation process. 

The system incorporates six distinct categories tailored to specific human capital attributes. 

One category focuses on candidates proficient in the French language, while the remaining five categories target occupation-based criteria, including healthcare occupations, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades occupations, transport occupations, and agriculture and agri-food occupations.

In determining these categories, IRCC collaborated with various stakeholders such as provincial and territorial governments, employers, immigration researchers, and settlement services. 

The objective was to identify critical gaps in Canada’s labor force and select candidates who possess the skills and qualifications required to fill these vacant positions.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an application management system that oversees three economic immigration programs for skilled workers: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. 

The system employs the Comprehensive Ranking System to evaluate candidates based on factors such as language ability, work experience, occupation, education, and age. 

Each factor is assigned a score, and the cumulative score determines a candidate’s overall CRS score.

Once a candidate receives a CRS score, they are placed in the Express Entry application pool and ranked against other applicants. 

Those with the highest CRS scores are more likely to receive an ITA in subsequent Express Entry draws.

Candidates who receive an ITA have 60 days to submit their final application to IRCC for permanent resident status in Canada. 

This opportunity allows them to contribute to Canada’s diverse and growing healthcare sector, as well as benefit from the country’s high standard of living and quality of life.

Overall, Canada’s Express Entry system and category-based selection approach exemplify the country’s commitment to attracting skilled professionals who can meet its labor market needs and contribute to its thriving economy. For detailed information, talk to one of our immigration consultants.