Canada’s Express Entry system continues to utilize category-based selection in 2024 to target skilled immigrants with specific qualifications. Here’s a breakdown of what this means for you:
Focus on Specific Skills: Instead of solely relying on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) focuses on inviting candidates with skills and experience that align with Canada’s labor market needs.
Six Established Categories: IRCC uses the same six categories introduced in 2023:
French Language Proficiency:
This category targets candidates with strong French language skills, potentially boosting their chances of an invitation (ITA).
Healthcare Occupations:
Medical professionals with in-demand experience can benefit from this category.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Occupations:
If you have a STEM background and relevant work experience, this category might be your chance.
Trade Occupations:
Skilled tradespeople in high demand are targeted through this category.
Transport Occupations: This category aims to fill gaps in the transportation sector.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations:
Experience in agriculture and related fields can be advantageous through this category.
To be eligible for category-based Invitation draws, all requirements for that category must be met. There are also specific conditions that must be met depending on the category that is being targeted. For the 2024 categories, eligibility includes:
French-language proficiency:
Must have a French language test ( TEF or TCF ) result that shows a minimum score of 7 (B2+) in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
Healthcare occupations:
Have at least 6 months of continuous work experience within the past 3 years (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 35 targeted NOC codes.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations:
Have at least 6 months of continuous work experience within the past 3 years (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 24 targeted NOC codes.
Trade occupations:
Have at least 6 months of continuous work experience within the past 3 years (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 10 targeted NOC codes.
Transport occupations:
Have at least 6 months of continuous work experience within the past 3 years (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 10 targeted NOC codes.
Agriculture and agri-food occupations:
Have at least 6 months of continuous work experience within the past 3 years (in Canada or abroad) in one of the 3 targeted NOC codes.
Will Express Entry still have other types of draws?
Yes, There would be General round of invitations and Category based rounds of invitations.
