Recently, the immigration department of Canada, called IRCC, has recently declared that it will target existing Express Entry categories in 2024 category-based selections. 

In an email alert, IRCC stated that it would keep choosing immigration candidates with specific eligibility requirements to address the recognized priorities and economic needs. These qualifications include work experience, education, or language abilities.

IRCC Will Target Six Existing Express Entry Categories in 2024 for Category-Based Selection Draws

IRCC selected six categories to target candidates that meet the eligibility criteria to support its market objectives. Among these, five categories are experience or occupation-based, whereas one is language-based.

These include:

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

These category-based draws for Express-Entry candidates began in May 2023 to help Canada fulfill its economic objectives.

The department determined these categories last year through public consultations with different stakeholders. These include provincial and territorial governments, unions, settlement service providers, immigration scholars, worker advocacy groups, and employers.

With the category-based draws, IRCC aims to invite candidates who can aid in lowering urgent market demands in the fields that are critical to Canada’s economy. In addition, those that can help it fulfill its commitment to increase the French language throughout Canada, outside of Quebec.

 At the time of the introduction of these category-based draws, IRCC declared that it would review the categories each year and may change them as needed. This is an essential part of its yearly report to parliament. 

Overview of Category-Based Draws Till Now

IRCC held the first-ever category-based draw on June 28, 2023, targeting healthcare roles. A total of 1500 Express Entry candidates received invitations in that draw.

Throughout the year, there were more than 17 category-based selection draws. And IRCC invited over 16,000 Express Entry candidates who fit the eligibility criteria.

In 2024, till now, IRCC has held two category-based draws. One invited 7000 French Proficient candidates on February 1.

The second one occurred yesterday, February 14, inviting 3500 healthcare professionals.

Eligibility Criteria for Category-Based Selection Draws.

To be eligible for Express Entry Category-based selections, candidates must be in the Express Entry Pool. This means candidates with an Express Entry profile are eligible for category-based draws. 

Other economic immigrants who have not submitted an application to the Express Entry pool are ineligible.

According to IRCC, an individual who satisfies the eligibility criteria for any Express Entry Program must also satisfy the work experience requirement for the occupation-based category.

They must have at least six months of continuous work experience or an equal amount of part-time work experience in Canada or abroad within the last three years in an eligible occupation.

For the French language category, candidates must have at least 7 scores in all four categories. These include writing, listening, reading, and speaking. This must be as per the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.

 Canada’s Express Entry Draws 

Express Entry in Canada manages applications from three immigration programs. These are CEC, FSTP, and FSWP. The immigration department employs a Comprehensive Ranking System to give candidates a score. It considers various factors such as age, language ability, occupation, work experience, and more to assess candidates. Then, these candidates are ranked against other Express Entry candidates. The ones with the highest CRS score have the highest possibility of obtaining an ITA in the future draw.