IRCC conducted Canada’s first category-based Express Entry draw, issuing ITAs to 500 qualified applicants. Candidates were required to have a minimum CRS score of 476.
The first draw based on category since the announcement of the six new categories on May 31 has taken place. There will be a second round of applications on July 5, inviting 1,500 workers to apply.
Additionally, a draw will be conducted that same week to select qualified individuals in the fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Category-based selection and healthcare profession
IRCC finalized a new category-based selection procedure for Express Entry on May 31.
In all, 35 vocations qualify for the six new categories, most of which are in the healthcare field:
- Veterinarians
- Chiropractors
- Education counselors
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- Dentists
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- Dieticians and nutritionists
- Licensed practical nurses
- Instructors of persons with disabilities
- Specialists in surgery
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
- Physiotherapists
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- Psychologists
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Massage therapists
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- Medical sonographers
- Medical radiation technologists
- Nurse practitioners
- Optometrists
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- Paramedical occupations
The following categories are also included:
- Proficiency in French
- Careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
- Transportation
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Carpenters, plumbers, and contractors are among the trades
Canada faces a shortage of healthcare workers
As a result of a severe labor shortage, the healthcare industry is one of the most affected. A large part of this can be attributed to the aging of the Canadian population and the country’s low birth rate. The number of Canadians reaching retirement age, 65, is expected to increase by nine million over the coming seven years.
Healthcare will become more important as the population ages. The country needs immigration to fill these important posts because there aren’t enough young Canadians.
As of March 2023, Statistics Canada reported 144,500 open positions in the healthcare and social support sector, accounting for 17.7% of all job openings.
Some provinces and territories have already conducted healthcare professional draws through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). In British Columbia, for example, almost every draw for the BC PNP invites healthcare professionals; in Ontario. They recently invited 318 health workers to apply, and in Alberta, they recently launched a Designated Healthcare Pathway.
Earlier this year, it was expected that category-based selection drawings would begin in response to amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022. Under the amended legislation, Canada’s immigration minister may now select economic immigrants based on characteristics that will promote the country’s economic interests or increase French-speaking immigration outside of Quebec.
A number of stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments, provided IRCC with insights into where the greatest labor force gaps exist, which resulted in the categories for the report.
To qualify under the occupation-specific categories, candidates must have worked continuously in an occupation for at least six months within the previous three years. You can obtain this experience in Canada or abroad.
