Changes to Express Entry: Canada prioritizes category-based selection for skilled immigrants
Do you have work experience in one of five categories of profession that have been identified as crucial to Canada? If yes, then you have better chances of securing category-based invitations for migration as part of modifications to the country’s Express Entry immigration stream.
Current focus on specific skills and language ability
Under the new changes, category-based selections will allow Canada to issue invitations to apply (ITAs) for migration to skilled professionals with experience in the following five professions:
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
- Transport
- Agriculture and Agri-food
The modification to Express Entry also means candidates with a strong French language proficiency also have better chances of securing category-based invitations.
This latest development was announced by Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser, as employers in Canada eagerly look to fill countless vacant positions, with immigration emerging as a vital piece to solving this puzzle.
“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages. These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed. We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities,” said Fraser.
In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French.
Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec establishes its own immigration levels. From 2018 to 2022, admissions under the Federal High-Skilled program accounted for between 34% and 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.
Advantages of category-based selection for Express Entry
- It supports Canada’s commitment to welcoming in-demand professionals into communities across the country.
- It will allow Canada to issue invitations to apply to prospective permanent residents with specific skills, training, or language ability.
- It places a special focus on Francophone immigration.
- It will make Express Entry more responsive to Canada’s changing economic and labour market needs.
Further details on the timing of invitations for individual categories and how to apply will be announced in the coming weeks.
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