Express Entry: Frequently asked questions about the new category-based selection

Posted on June 1, 2023 at 09:00 am EDT


We answer some of the questions you may have about category-based Express Entry sweepstakes.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the launch of a new category-based selection for candidates in Express Entry managed programs.

The news comes nearly a year after a bill was passed giving the immigration minister the authority to invite Express Entry candidates with specific attributes to support Canada’s economic goals. Directed draws were widely expected to begin this year, but until now, there was no official indication from IRCC of what attributes might be used as selection criteria in a directed draw.

In light of this new development, here are answers to some of the most pressing questions Express Entry candidates may have about the new recruitment categories.

Find out if you’re eligible for category-based giveaways

Who is eligible?

Express Entry candidates will be eligible in the new draw categories if they have work experience in the following fields:

  • health care
  • science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers
  • trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
  • transport
  • agriculture and agri-food, or
  • have a strong command of the French language (at least NCLC 7 in reading, writing, listening and speaking)

When will the specific draws start?

Drawings for the new categories are scheduled to begin later this summer, but an exact date is not yet available.

Do I still need to have an Express Entry profile to be selected if I work in one of the eligible occupations?

Yes. Candidates must still meet the eligibility criteria for a managed Express Entry program. Eligible programs are Federal Skilled Worker Programhe Canadian Experience Classand the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Will the CRS no longer count towards Express Entry?

of a candidate Comprehensive rating system (CRS) will continue to count towards Express Entry draws. IRCC will continue to conduct draws in which candidates without reference to any of the six categories are invited. This could include all-program sweepstakes or program-specific sweepstakes.

IRCC says category-based invitation rounds will rank candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet category requirements and then invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence

Find out if you’re eligible for category-based giveaways

Are the criteria different in each new category?

Among the five specific occupation categories, all candidates must:

  • have accumulated at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in the last 3 years in a single occupation listed as eligible.
  • meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.

Candidates who are invited based on a strong command of the French language must have French language test results showing a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) on ​​the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens and meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round.

Will there continue to be Express Entry draws for PNP candidates?

IRCC says it will continue to invite candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) specific rounds. The department says these candidates have demonstrated that they have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of the province or territory.

Why are there new categories?

Canadian Immigration Minister it is mandated to support Canada’s economic goals and promote the growth of French-speaking communities outside of Canada. Quebec to help protect the status of French as one of the official languages ​​of Canada.

The new categories are intended to fill a large number of open positions across Canada. Targeted immigration can help reduce current labor shortages in many industries and can also increase the number of French speakers in minority French communities outside of Quebec.

Minister Fraser says inviting more skilled workers in these specific professions will help Canada admit in-demand professionals to communities across the country.

How did IRCC decide on the new categories?

According to IRCC, the categories were chosen after mandatory discussions and public consultation with stakeholders, including provinces and territories, industry members, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and researchers and practitioners. of immigration.

Will the categories change?

The categories can change annually following an IRCC report to parliament which includes:

  • the categories of the previous year
  • why and how they were chosen
  • instructions for setting up a category
  • the number of invitations that were issued for each category

IRCC says the report will also include information on selection based on categories in the Express Entry Year-End Report.

Find out if you’re eligible for category-based giveaways


reference: www.cicnews.com

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