Invitation Rounds For Express Entry: Category-based Selection

The wait is over! IRCC >finally provides details of Category-Based Selection (CBS) under Express Entry

Categories for Express Entry 2023

The IRCC announced the beginning of a new procedure for Canada Express Entry draws, and they can now pick and choose individuals depending on categories. As a result, an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is based on more factors than just a good CRS score. Categories were chosen after public consultation of the Minister with provinces and territories, businesspeople, labor unions, employers, employees, worker advocacy organizations, organizations that provide settlement services, and immigration academics and practitioners.

Candidates this year can apply for the following categories:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Transport occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations

Who can qualify?

To qualify for an invitation through a category-based round, candidate must meet the following requirements, such as:

• Official language ability
• Work experience in a specific occupation
• Education

Specifications and Requirements by category:

French-language proficiency category:

• possess French language test results from the Canadian Niveaux de compétence linguistique showing a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities.
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

Healthcare occupations category:

• possess accumulated, over the last 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience in one of the following occupations , whether that employment was done in Canada or abroad (Audiologists and speech language pathologists, Chiropractors, Dentists, Dieticians and nutritionists, Education counsellors, General practitioners and family physicians, Instructors of persons with disabilities etc)
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations category:

• possess, over the last 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the following occupations (Architects, Architecture and science managers, Business systems specialists, Civil Engineers, Computer and information systems managers, Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers, Computer systems developers and programmers, Cybersecurity specialists, Data scientists etc)
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

Trade occupations category

• possessing, within the last 3 years, a minimum of 6 months of continuous work experience in one of the following occupations, whether such employment was done in Canada or overseas (Residential and commercial installers and servicers, Elevator constructors and mechanics, Machine fitters, Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, Carpenters, Plumbers etc)
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

Transport occupations category:

• possess accumulated, within the last 3 years, at least 6months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the following occupations (Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors, Transport truck drivers, Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators, Engineer officers, water transport, Deck officers, Water transport, Air traffic controllers and related occupations, Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors, Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors etc)
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

Agriculture and agri-food occupations category:

• possess accumulated, over the last 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience in one of the following occupations, whether that employment was done in Canada or abroad (Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services, Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors, Butchers- retail and wholesale)
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

What Is Express Entry?

Express Entry candidates are ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), known as a points-based system, and to apply for permanent residence in this pool, the top candidates are invited every 2 weeks.

The Canada Express Entry system is designed to handle requests for permanent residence under three major federal economic immigration programs, and candidates, in order to be invited for a category-based Express Entry draw, must meet the eligibility criteria for applying to some of the following programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

FSWP program is intended for skilled professionals who have the required training, work experience, language skills, and other attributes to support Canada’s economy. The evaluation of Canadian applicants is done using a points system that takes into account things like age, education, employment history, language skills (either English or French), adaptability, and pre-arranged employment in Canada.

FSTP program is for Canadian skilled tradespeople who have at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade, meet the job requirements listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and either have an offer of full-time employment in Canada for at least one year or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority

CEC program is for people who have obtained professional expertise while working temporarily in Canada. Candidates must meet the necessary language proficiency requirements, have at least one year of recent, skilled job experience in Canada, and want to live and work outside of Quebec.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which are separate immigration initiatives run by the provinces and territories of Canada, can be connected to the Express Entry database. Provinces and territories can nominate applicants through these programs if they fit the requirements of their particular labor markets.

Contact us and book a consultation if you want to apply for immigration using the category-based Express Entry system or another route.