In the latest Express Entry draw, which is the second category-specific draw for healthcare workers, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 1500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 463. This draw focused exclusively on candidates from select healthcare occupations within the Express Entry pool. Notably, this draw is the third of the week, following yesterday's category-specific draw for STEM occupations, where 500 candidates were invited with a CRS score of 463, marking a significant decrease compared to the all-program draw earlier this week.
Category-specific draws are designed to target individuals with in-demand skills and occupations, aligning with Canada's labor market needs. These draws offer an advantage to candidates in the selected categories, as the cut-off scores tend to be lower than those of all-program draws. By considering other factors beyond CRS scores, these draws provide opportunities for candidates with diverse profiles and experiences to be selected for permanent residence.
The IRCC has announced that future draws will comprise a mix of all-program draws, category-specific draws, and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific draws. This approach ensures a fair and inclusive selection process while addressing the specific requirements of different sectors and regions within Canada's immigration system.
Overall, these category-specific draws reflect the government's commitment to attracting skilled professionals in key sectors such as healthcare and STEM, promoting economic growth, and filling critical labor market gaps.