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About category based express entry

Category-Based Express Entry Selection 2024 

The Category-based selections in Canada’s Express Entry system, empower the country to extend Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to potential applicants who possess particular skills, training, or language proficiencies. Initiated in 2023, these category-based draws are set to continue with the same classifications in 2024, as announced by IRCC.

Complementing the General and Program-specific rounds, these category-focused rounds aim to identify and invite top-ranking candidates meeting specific economic requirements of Canada. Selection criteria include proficiency in an official language, relevant work experience in key sectors, and educational qualifications.

Such a strategic approach by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) underscores a commitment to fulfilling distinct economic objectives. It involves selecting eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool based on defined category requirements, thereby streamlining the immigration process to align with Canada’s economic needs.

Current Categories

This targeted approach focuses on six key categories, each playing a crucial role in bolstering Canada’s economic landscape:

  1. French-language proficiency: Encouraging candidates who are proficient in French, reflecting Canada’s commitment to bilingualism and the need for French-speaking professionals.
  2. Healthcare occupations: Addressing the critical demand for healthcare professionals and supporting the robustness of Canada’s healthcare system.
  3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations: Fostering growth in these innovative and ever-evolving sectors.
  4. Trade occupations: Recognizing the importance of skilled trades in driving the economy.
  5. Transport occupations: Ensuring the efficiency and reliability of Canada’s transport sector.
  6. Agriculture and agri-food occupations: Supporting the agricultural sector, vital for the country’s food security and economic health.

 The categories can change on a yearly basis based on what is reported to parliament. Each year the IRCC will report: 

  • the categories they chose from the previous year
  • why and how they chose them
  • the instructions to establish a category
  • the number of invitations issued for each category

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for an invitation through a category-based round, all requirements for that round must be met. There are also specific conditions that must be met depending on the category that is being targeted. For these categories, eligibility includes: 

French-language proficiency: Must have a French-language test result that shows a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.

Healthcare occupations: Have accumulated within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 35 targeted NOC codes. 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations: Have accumulated within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 24 targeted NOC codes. 

Trade occupations: Have accumulated within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 10 targeted NOC codes. 

Transport occupations: Have accumulated within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 10 targeted NOC codes. 

Agriculture and agri-food occupations: Have accumulated within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 3 targeted NOC codes. 

You can find the specific professions and their National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes on our dedicated pages. These pages are updated with the latest information for each category’s draw. Please check the list below for more details.
Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html

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