Canada has introduced category-based selection under its Express Entry immigration system to help the country attract candidates with skills and experience in areas linked to specific economic needs.
Under the system, candidates in the Express Entry pool can receive invitations to apply for permanent residence through category-based rounds if they meet the requirements for a category established by Canada’s immigration minister.
Candidates can be selected based on factors including language ability, work experience in specific occupations and education.
The categories are announced in advance by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Here are the 10 current Express Entry categories:
1. French-language proficiency
Candidates with French-language ability can qualify for category-based selection under the French-language proficiency category.
The category is designed to support Canada’s objective of attracting French-speaking immigrants, particularly outside Quebec.
Candidates must meet the language requirements established for the category in addition to meeting the relevant Express Entry requirements.
2. Healthcare and social services occupations
Healthcare and social services workers are among the professionals targeted through Canada’s category-based Express Entry system.
The category covers eligible occupations in healthcare and social services.
Candidates must have qualifying work experience in an occupation included in the category to be considered for a category-based invitation.
3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations
Canada also targets workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly referred to as STEM.
The category covers eligible occupations in fields that require specialised scientific, technical and engineering skills.
Workers with experience in qualifying STEM occupations may be considered for category-based Express Entry draws if they also meet the other requirements.
4. Trade occupations
Skilled workers in selected trade occupations are another group targeted by Canada’s Express Entry system.
The category covers eligible occupations in the skilled trades, allowing Canada to target workers with experience in areas where skilled labour is required.
Candidates still need to meet the applicable Express Entry requirements before they can be invited.
5. Education occupations
Workers in selected education-related occupations can also be considered under category-based selection.
The category targets eligible professionals working in the education sector.
As with the other categories, candidates must meet the specified work-experience requirements and other Express Entry conditions.
6. Transport occupations
Canada’s category-based selection also includes eligible workers in the transport sector.
The category is intended to help address labour needs in qualifying transport occupations.
Candidates with experience in an occupation included in the category can be identified for consideration during a category-based Express Entry round.
7. Physicians with Canadian work experience
Physicians who have Canadian work experience are included in a separate category.
This category is specifically aimed at doctors who have qualifying work experience in Canada.
Eligible candidates must also satisfy the relevant Express Entry requirements before receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
8. Senior managers with Canadian work experience
Senior managers with qualifying Canadian work experience are another group included in the current categories.
The category allows Canada to identify eligible senior management professionals who have gained relevant work experience in the country.
Meeting the category requirements does not automatically result in an invitation, as candidates are still ranked according to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
9. Researchers with Canadian work experience
Researchers with Canadian work experience can also be considered under category-based selection.
The category targets eligible research professionals who have gained qualifying work experience in Canada.
Candidates must meet the applicable requirements and compete based on their CRS score in a category-based round.
10. Skilled military recruits
Skilled military recruits are the 10th current category listed by IRCC.
The category allows eligible candidates with qualifying military skills and experience to be considered for targeted Express Entry invitations.
As with other categories, candidates must first qualify for an Express Entry program and meet the requirements of the specific category.
How Canada’s category-based Express Entry system works
Category-based selection does not replace the regular Express Entry system.
Candidates must first create an Express Entry profile through their IRCC secure account.
If they qualify for one of the Express Entry programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program or Canadian Experience Class — they can enter the Express Entry pool.
Candidates in the pool receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
IRCC then identifies candidates who meet the requirements of a particular category. In a category-based round, eligible candidates are ranked according to their CRS scores, and those with the highest scores can receive invitations to apply.
Candidates who receive an invitation have 60 days to submit their permanent residence application.
IRCC then assesses the application based on program eligibility, the information provided in the Express Entry profile, category eligibility and the applicant’s admissibility to Canada.
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