Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially confirmed the resumption of Express Entry draws this week after a pause lasting over a month.
The Previous Draw
The last Express Entry draw took place on August 15, where 4,300 candidates were invited through an all-program draw. In this type of draw, candidates are considered if they are in the Express Entry pool and meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 496.
Upcoming Draw: Transport Occupations
In a release issued on September 18, IRCC announced its intention to issue invitations to Express Entry candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for the newly introduced category-based selection for transport occupations. This category encompasses professionals such as commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers, among others.
IRCC emphasizes that filling these positions is essential for advancing Canada’s economy. Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated, “As Canada grows its economy, we’re committed to improving transport and infrastructure to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and passengers across the country. Category-based selection helps us invite newcomers with experience in transport occupations to fill significant labor gaps and ensure the future success of the Canadian transport sector.”
Understanding Category-Based Selection
On June 22, 2022, the Canadian government updated the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to enable the selection of immigrants based on key attributes aligning with the country’s economic priorities.
On May 31, IRCC introduced six new categories for Express Entry candidates. These categories include candidates with strong French language abilities and focus on in-demand employment sectors facing a shortage of skilled labor:
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades, covering roles like carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
Since their introduction, there have been various draws targeting these categories. In 2023 alone, 10,900 candidates have been invited through category-based selection draws.
IRCC views category-based selection as a means to attract top global talent and address the need for transport workers to support Canada‘s economy. Recent reports estimate that transport occupations will comprise one to two percent of Express Entry category-based selection draws.
