In a significant move for Canada immigration, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a series of Express Entry draws, emphasizing category-based selection for STEM professionals. This latest draw issued 5,900 invitations to apply (ITAs) for candidates with expertise in STEM fields, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481.
This week marked a pivotal moment for Express Entry Canada with three separate draws:
After over a month's pause, with the last draw on October 26 for healthcare occupations, these draws signal a renewed momentum in Canada's immigration strategy. The brief hiatus, attributed to technical issues, has now been resolved, paving the way for more frequent draws.
Launched in May, category-based selection targets candidates with specific skills or attributes, including French-language proficiency and experience in sectors such as healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture. This strategy addresses skill shortages and supports key economic sectors.
Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, emphasizes the importance of skilled immigration to counter labor shortages and the impending retirement of millions of Canadians. The aim is to admit 114,000 Federal High Skilled immigrants annually by 2025, with a new Immigration Levels Plan expected soon.
Express Entry is a crucial system for managing applications for permanent residence from candidates in Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Programs. Using the CRS, candidates are scored on factors like work experience, language ability, and education. The highest-scoring candidates receive an ITA and have 60 days to submit their final application.
With the Deputy Immigration Minister's assurance of compensating for the reduced number of draws and plans for more category-based selections, including one for skilled trades, the future of Express Entry Canada looks promising, especially for STEM professionals.