New Express Entry Categories-Based Selection
New Express Entry
On May 31, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced new category-based selection criteria for Express Entry. The new categories place greater emphasis on specific skills and expertise for certain areas instead of solely relying on a high CRS score.
There are six new categories for Express Entry candidates:
- French-language proficiency.
- Healthcare.
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions.
- Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors.
- Transport.
- Agriculture and agri-food.
The new categories are aimed to fill vacant positions throughout Canada and help close Canada’s labour shortage as well as growing the prominence of the French language in French minority communities outside of Quebec.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has issued more than 3,000 invitations under the new categories.
How are the categories chosen?
IRCC chooses the categories based on legislative requirements, public consultation with provinces and territories, members of industry, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and immigration researchers and practitioners.
- Consultation with members of different industries, unions, labour market information and projections.
- Consultation and input we from provinces and territories, and stakeholders across Canada.
IRCC Categories for 2023.
For 2023, the categories are:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for an invitation through a category-based round, you must:
- Meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry to be placed in the pool, including being eligible for 1 of the 3 immigration programs it covers and
- Meet all the requirements in the instructions for that round of invitations.
Generally, candidates are eligible if they have accumulated within the past 3 years at least six months of full-time work experience, or the equivalent of part-time work, in one of the targeted occupations. Specifically, this means applicants must have:
- Performed the actions described in the lead statement for the occupation as set out in the occupational descriptions of the National Occupational Classification; and
- Performed a substantial number of the main duties of the occupation as set out in the occupational descriptions of the National Occupational Classification, including all the essential duties.
French-language proficiency
To be eligible under the French-language proficiency category, the applicant must present a valid test result with NCLC 7 or higher under every language skill.
For all the other categories, as noted above, applicants must show at least six months of continuous work experience in the past three years.
Healthcare occupations National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes
IRCC accepts work experience under the following NOC codes to qualify for healthcare occupations.
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists, 31112
- Chiropractor, 31201
- Dentists, 31110
- Dieticians and nutritionists, 31121
- Education counsellors, 41320
- General Practitioners and family physicians, 31102
- Instructors of persons with disabilities, 42203
- Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment, 31204
- Licensed practical nurses, 32101
- Massage therapists, 32201
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations, 33101
- Medical laboratory technologists, 32120
- Medical radiation technologists, 32121
- Medical Sonographers, 32122
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates, 33102
- Nurse practitioners, 31302
- Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors, 31300
- Occupational therapists, 31203
- Optometrists, 31111
- Other assisting occupations in support of health services, 33109
- Other practitioners of natural healing, 32209
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating, 31209
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment, 32109
- Paramedical occupations, 32102
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants, 33103
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals, 31303
- Physiotherapists, 31202
- Psychologists, 31200
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, 31301
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists, 32103
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine, 31100
- Specialists in surgery, 31101
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies, 41301
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists, 32200
- Veterinarians, 31103
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations NOC codes
- Architects, 21200
- Architecture and science managers, 20011
- Business systems specialists, 21221
- Civil Engineers, 21300
- Computer and information systems managers, 20012
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers), 21311
- Computer systems developers and programmers, 21230
- Cybersecurity specialists, 21220
- Data scientists, 21211
- Database analysts and data administrators, 21223
- Electrical and electronics engineers, 21310
- Engineering managers, 20010
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers, 21321
- Information systems specialists, 21222
- Land surveyors, 21203
- Landscape Architects, 21201
- Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries, 21210
- Metallurgical and materials engineers, 21322
- Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers, 41400
- Software developers and programmers, 21232
- Software engineers and designers, 21231
- Urban and land use planners, 21202
- Web designers, 21233
- Web developers and programmers, 21234
Trade occupations NOC codes
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers, 73200
- Elevator constructors and mechanics, 72406
- Machine fitters, 72405
- Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics, 72402
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, 72400
- Carpenters, 72310
- Plumbers, 72300
- Electricians (except industrial and power systems), 72200
- Welders and related machine operators, 72106
- Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers, 72014
Transport occupations NOC codes
These are the codes for transport occupations.
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors, 93200
- Transport truck drivers, 73300
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators, 72604
- Engineer officers, water transport, 72603
- Deck officers, water transport, 72602
- Air traffic controllers and related occupations, 72601
- Air pilots, flight engineers, and flying instructors, 72600
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors, 72404
- Railway carmen/women, 72403
- Managers in transportation, 70020
Agriculture and agri-food occupations NOC codes
This group covers the following occupations:
- Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and horticulture services, 82031
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors, 82030
- Butchers- retail and wholesale, 63201
Kahane Law Offices is Ready to Make Your Immigration Project Happens
If you want to become a permanent resident under one of these new categories-based selections, please call 403-225-8810 or 1-877-225-8817.
Kahane Law Offices has the experience to give you, your family, and your friends the advice needed to increase the chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence, become a permanent resident, and live in Canada.
The content of this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute specific legal or professional advice of any kind.