Canada Holds Its First Draw For Transport Professions

IRCC held its first draw for transport professions. This was the second Express Entry draw this week. On September 20, IRCC invited over 1,000 applicants in transport professions to apply for PR. The minimum CRS score needed to get an ITA was 435. 

Moreover, on September 19, IRCC issued over 3,200 invitations to applicants in an all-program draw. The minimum required CRS score was 531. 

First-ever Express Entry Draw For Transport Professions

The first-ever category-based selection draw for Express Entry was held for applicants having work experience in transport professions. IRCC is targeting transport professions because of an urgent labor shortage within this sector. 

The transportation sector is vital for the economy. Thus, the government needs to invest in individuals that move travelers & help transport the goods. In addition, with this new initiative, the government is addressing critical skill shortages while attracting new, talented individuals across the nation. Moreover, truck drivers, aviation mechanical engineers, seafarers, & pilots play an important role in the Canadian economy. As a result, filling vacancies in these professions will boost economic growth & create stronger & resilient supply chains. 

There were more Express Entry draws this summer as compared to previous years due to the introduction of category-based selection rounds of invitations. However, until this week, a draw has not occurred since August 15, wherein over 4,300 applicants obtained ITAs in an all-program draw. IRCC hasn’t provided an explanation for the pause in draws.   

Summary Of Express Entry Draws Results Since June 2023

What Is Express Entry? 

Express Entry is defined as an application management system for three of Canada’s significant economic immigration programs, i.e., CEC, FSTP, & FSWP. 

Every Express Entry program has different eligibility criteria, but they all use a comprehensive ranking system to evaluate applicants & rank them alongside one another. It does this by assigning scores for human capital factors like language ability, education, age, occupation, etc. 

In addition, applicants with the highest CRS scores are most likely to obtain ITAs to apply for PR in Canada. 

Moreover, Express Entry applicants who have obtained a provincial nomination are even more likely to receive an ITA. Well, that’s because Express Entry applicants who are also in PNP obtain an additional 600 points. This is beneficial because most Express Entry draws have a CRS score, which ranges from 350-500, depending upon the category/ program. 

Category-Based Selection 

On May 31, IRCC introduced six new categories that might be eligible for category-based selection Express Entry draws. One is for Express Entry applicants who have strong French-speaking ability & the other five are for applicants who have relevant work experience in any one of the following sectors: 

• Healthcare
• STEM Professions
• Trades
• Transport
• Agriculture/ Agri-Food 

On June 28, IRCC issued the first Express Entry draw (category-based selection) invitations to applicants with work experience in healthcare occupations. Since then, there have been draws for those in STEM professions, trades, & applicants having proficiency in French. 

Moreover, eligible applicants for an ITA via category-based selection can still be an Express Entry program, & it is beneficial to get as high as a CRS score as possible as IRCC will still be ranking applicants against one another. 

IRCC has said that the new categories will help the nation fill urgent job vacancies in in-demand sectors of Canada’s workforce & help strengthen the economy. Furthermore, the categories were selected following the discussions with provincial governments, business associations, & other IRCC stakeholders and partners.