On May 31, the immigration minister of Canada, Sean Fraser, declared that IRCC would prioritize transport occupations in Express Entry draws. 

In addition, IRCC will give priority to Express Entry candidates who have strong French language skills/ work experience in the fields mentioned below: 

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

These professions were selected after IRCC obtained information regarding the acute shortage in the labor market. Moreover, IRCC has also consulted & got input from their partners, provinces, territories, & stakeholders across the nation. 

On June 28, IRCC held its first-ever Express Entry category-based draw, thus inviting over 500 healthcare professionals to apply for permanent residency.

A second round also took place, inviting over 1,500 healthcare professionals. The draw could take place on July 5. 

Furthermore, another category-based draw is anticipated to be held on July 5, wherein eligible applicants in STEM professions will be invited. 

 

What Transport Occupations Are Chosen As A Category? 

According to Employment & Social Development Canada, professions facing shortages doubled between the years 2019-2021. 

Statistics Canada released information regarding job vacancies from 2022 Q4. In addition, the trades category/ classification consists of wholesale & retail trades. The wholesale trades job vacancies were over 30, 930, while the total retail trades job vacancies were over 108, 795. 

IRCC carried out a public consultation/ talk/ discussion on improving Express Entry via category-based selection. Moreover, the engagement process involves collecting feedback & suggestions from a wide range of stakeholders & public.   

The category-based selection draws are held to meet the needs of labor market shortages in specific professions/ sectors. 

In addition, out of the categories mentioned, trades, equipment operations, transport, & associated professions were viewed as the sector experiencing the most significant needs by over 16% of the respondents. As a result, this reflects the high/ incredible proportion of respondents representing this sector.  

 

What Are Eligibility Requirements For The Transport Occupations Category? 

To become eligible for transport occupations, an applicant must: 

  • Meet the eligibility criteria of one of the Express Entry programs, i.e., CEC, FSTP, or FSWP. 
  • Have accumulated at least six months of continuous work experience in one of the listed occupations over the past three years. 
  • Meet all other requirements for the round. 

 

What Are Transportation Professions? 

There are ten professions in the transport occupation category. These include: 

  • Managers in transportation
  • Transport truck drivers
  • Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
  • Engineer officers, water transport
  • Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • Deck officers, water transport
  • Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
  • Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
  • Air traffic controllers and related occupations
  • Railway carmen/women

 

How Will Express Entry Category-Based Rounds Of Invitations Be Chosen? 

IRCC will send invitations to applicants in category-based draws to apply for PR if they are eligible for a particular category/ classification. The criterion consists of the following: 

  • Work experience in a specific TEER category-based draw of NOC. 
  • Education
  • And finally, language ability in French/ English 

 

How Will CRS Scores Be Considered? 

Category-based draws will take place along with general or program-specific draws. In addition, Express Entry draws invite high-ranking applicants who can help fill in the gaps in the Canadian labor market & fulfill the economic goals of the nation. 

The Express Entry pool candidates are ranked using a point-based system called CRS, i.e., the Comprehensive Ranking System. This system ranks applicants on the basis of age, education, work experience, language ability, etc. 

An applicant’s CRS score will still be prominent & central for category-based draws. Thus, IRCC will send ITAs to applicants with high CRS scores and individuals eligible for category-based draws.