IRCC has issued invitations to Express Entry candidates for the third consecutive day. A total of 1500 Express Entry candidates eligible for healthcare occupations in the category-based selections received the invitations.

The minimum required CRS score for this draw was 463, which was the lowest score compared to all rounds of invitations of Express Entry in 2023.

Last week, IRCC announced that it would invite 1500 candidates from the healthcare stream this week, so this draw was expected. This draw followed the draw that occurred on June 28 for the healthcare category. That draw was the first-ever category-based draw, inviting 500 healthcare workers with a minimum CRS of 476.

In addition, on July 5, IRCC also conducted the first-ever category-based draw for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions. In this draw, 500 STEM candidates received invitations to apply for Permanent Residence with the minimum CRS score requirement of 486.

On July 4, prior to the draw for STEM professionals, IRCC held an unexpected all-program draw, inviting 700 candidates. Candidates for this all-program draw required a minimum CRS score of 511. In an all-program Express Entry draw, candidates from three programs, i.e., the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, are considered.

Healthcare professions for the new category-based draws

Healthcare occupations include the most eligible occupations among all the six new categories. These eligible occupations are 35 in total, which are as follows:

  • Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • Chiropractors
  • Dentists
  • Dieticians and nutritionists
  • Education counselors
  • General practitioners and family physicians
  • Instructors of persons with disabilities
  • Kinesiologists & other professional occupations in therapy & assessment
  • Licensed practical nurses
  • Massage therapists
  • Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • Medical laboratory technologists
  • Medical radiation technologists
  • Medical sonographers
  • Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  • Occupational therapists
  • Optometrists
  • Other assisting occupations supporting health services
  • Other practitioners of natural healing
  • Other professional occupations in health diagnosing & treating
  • Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • Paramedical occupations
  • Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
  • Physiotherapists
  • Psychologists
  • Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • Specialists in surgery
  • Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies
  • Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • Veterinarians

In Canada, about 23% of all registered nurses, 36% of all registered physicians, and 54% of all dental technologists are immigrants.

In order to fill the immediate vacancies in the labor market, Canada heavily depends on immigration. According to the job vacancy report by Statistics Canada, in April 2023, there were 153,000 vacant positions in the healthcare & social assistance sector. Notably, among all employment sectors, this has the highest level of vacancies.

Category-Based Draws For Express Entry

On May 31, the Minister of Immigration of Canada, Mr.Sean Fraser, declared that the IRCC had selected six new categories for Express Entry new category-based selection draws.

Since the amendments were made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022, new categories were expected.

Due to the changes, Canada’s immigration minister gained the authority to welcome economic immigrants to the country who have specific attributes that can support the country in achieving its economic objectives or encourage proficient French immigration outside of Quebec.

The six new categories for EE are:

  • Healthcare
  • STEM occupations (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
  • Trades, like plumbers, carpenters, and contractors
  • Transport
  • Agriculture and agri-food
  • Strong proficiency in the French-language

IRCC selected these categories after discussions with IRCC partners, stakeholders, and provincial and territorial governments, as well as with the labor market projections and feedback.