Express Entry Category-based draws

With the increasing CRS scores, French proficiency or having a relevant work experience in an in-demand occupation, can be a decisive factor in whether you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) or not.

Express Entry & category-based draws

Canada’s Express Entry system is the primary method for selecting skilled workers for permanent residence. It was introduced in 2015 to create a streamlined and efficient process for managing immigration applications under three main programs:

Until recently, Express Entry draws were primarily based on a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which assigns points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. However, as CRS cut-off scores have increased over time due to higher numbers of qualified candidates, many skilled workers in essential sectors of the Canadian economy found it challenging to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

To address Canada’s labor market needs and enhance economic immigration strategies, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced Express Entry category-based selections in 2023. These new Express Entry categories allow IRCC to invite candidates who meet specific skill requirements in high-demand sectors or who possess strong French-language abilities, even if their CRS score is lower than general draw cut-offs.

When and why Express Entry category-based draws were introduced?

Express Entry category-based draws were introduced in June 2023 as part of IRCC’s efforts to align Canada’s immigration intake with its economic priorities. The federal government recognized that while the general CRS-based selection process effectively brings in highly skilled immigrants, it does not always address labor shortages in key industries or the need for French-speaking professionals.

By introducing Express Entry category-based selections, IRCC aims to:

  1. Address Labor Shortages: Certain industries, such as healthcare, face persistent worker shortages. Category-based Express Entry draws allow Canada to invite professionals with the necessary skills to meet these demands.

  2. Support Francophone Immigration: Canada is committed to increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. French-language Express Entry draws help strengthen bilingual communities across the country.

  3. Provide More Pathways for Skilled Workers: Not all highly-skilled workers have high CRS scores. By focusing on candidates in Express Entry 2025 categories, IRCC creates additional pathways for permanent residence for those who have valuable work experience (whether inside or outside Canada), but whose CRS score is not high enough.

How IRCC determines Express Entry categories?

Every once in a while, IRCC identifies Express Entry categories based on Canada’s labor market needs and economic priorities. The selection process includes:

  • Consultations with Provinces and Territories: Since labor demands vary across Canada, IRCC collaborates with provincial and territorial governments to identify the most pressing workforce needs.

  • Engagement with Employers and Industry Stakeholders: IRCC gathers feedback from business groups and employers to determine which sectors require skilled workers.

  • Analysis of Labor Market Data: Government studies and reports on employment trends help IRCC decide which occupations to prioritize.

  • Long-Term Immigration Goals: Canada aims to promote economic growth through targeted immigration policies. Express Entry category-based draws help meet long-term labor force needs in critical areas.

New 2025 Express Entry categories

  • To be eligible, you must have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens

    • 32104 - Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

    • 31112 - Audiologists and speech language pathologists

    • 32123 - Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists

    • 31201 - Chiropractors

    • 32111 - Dental hygienists and dental therapists

    • 31110 - Dentists

    • 31121 - Dieticians and nutritionists

    • 31102 - General practitioners and family physicians

    • 32101 - Licensed practical nurses

    • 32201 - Massage therapists

    • 33101 - Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations

    • 32120 - Medical laboratory technologists

    • 32121 - Medical radiation technologists

    • 32122 - Medical sonographers

    • 33102 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

    • 31302 - Nurse practitioners

    • • 31300 - Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors

    • 31203 - Occupational therapists

    • 31111 - Optometrists

    • 32129 - Other medical technologists and technicians

    • • 31209 - Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating

    • 32109 - Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

    • 32102 - Paramedical occupations

    • 31120 - Pharmacists

    • 33103 - Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

    • 32124 - Pharmacy technicians

    • 31303 - Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals

    • 31202 - Physiotherapists

    • 31200 - Psychologists

    • 31301 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

    • 32103 - Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

    • 42201 - Social and community service workers

    • 41300 - Social workers

    • 31100 - Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine

    • 31101 - Specialists in surgery

    • 41301 - Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies

    • 31103 - Veterinarians

    • 20011 - Architecture and science managers

    • 22300 - Civil engineering technologists and technicians

    • 21300 - Civil Engineers

    • 21220 - Cybersecurity specialists

    • 22310 - Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

    • 21310 - Electrical and electronics engineers

    • 21331 - Geological Engineers

    • 21321 - Industrial and manufacturing engineers

    • 63100 - Insurance agents and brokers

    • 22301 - Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

    • 21301 - Mechanical Engineers

    • 82021 - Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services

    • 73113 - Floor covering installers

    • 73112 - Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

    • 73110 - Roofers and shinglers

    • 73100 - Concrete finishers

    • 72999 - Other technical trades and related occupations

    • 72501 - Water well drillers

    • 72422 - Electrical mechanics

    • 72402 - Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

    • 72401 - Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

    • 72400 - Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

    • 72320 - Bricklayers

    • 72311 - Cabinetmakers

    • 72310 - Carpenters

    • 72302 - Gas fitters

    • 72300 - Plumbers

    • 72201 - Industrial electricians

    • 72200 - Electricians (except industrial and power system)

    • 72106 - Welders and related machine operators

    • 72102 - Sheet metal workers

    • 72100 - Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors

    • 70011 - Home building and renovation managers

    • 70010 - Construction managers

    • 63200 - Cooks

    • 22303 - Construction estimators

    • 63201 - Butchers - retail and wholesale

    • 43100 - Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

    • 42203 - Instructors of persons with disabilities

    • 42202 - Early childhood educators and assistants

    • 41221 - Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

    • 41220 - Secondary school teachers

How to qualify for an Express Entry category-based draw?

To qualify for a category-based Express Entry draw, you must:

  1. Meet the Express Entry Program Requirements: You must already qualify under one of the three Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, or FST).

  2. Have Work Experience in a Priority Occupation OR Demonstrate French-Language Proficiency:

    • If applying under an occupation-based Express Entry category, you must have at least six months of continuous work experience in the past three years in an eligible job.

    • If applying under the French-language Express Entry category, you must achieve a minimum NCLC 7 score in all four language abilities (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

  3. Add your qualifying Work Experience or French language scores to your Express Entry Profile: Ensure that your profile correctly reflects your work experience and/or French-language proficiency so that IRCC can consider you for an Express Entry category-based draw.

The added value of Express Entry category-based draws…

Category-based Express Entry draws significantly increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.

  1. Reduced Competition: Unlike general Express Entry draws where all candidates in the pool compete based on CRS scores, category-based Express Entry selections focus on a smaller, more specific group. This means fewer candidates are competing for invitations in your category.

  2. Lower CRS Score Cut-Offs: Since these draws target specific skills and not just the highest CRS scores, the cut-off threshold tends to be lower compared to general Express Entry draws. This gives applicants with slightly lower CRS scores a much better chance of being invited.

  3. Better Alignment with Canada’s Economic Priorities: Applicants in high-demand Express Entry categories may experience faster processing and improved opportunities for integration into the workforce.

  4. Increased Predictability: Knowing which Express Entry 2025 categories are prioritized allows prospective immigrants to better plan their Express Entry strategy and improve their chances of selection by gaining experience in targeted occupations or improving French language skills.

Does foreign work experience count for category-based draws?

Yes! Foreign work experience does count when applying for category-based Express Entry draws. However, it must meet the following criteria:

  • Your job must fall under an eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) category.

  • Your experience must be paid and continuous for at least six months within the last three years.

  • It must be properly documented with reference letters and proof of employment.

Note: Work experience in Canada typically provides additional CRS points, but foreign experience alone does not disqualify you from an Express Entry category-based selection as long as it meets the eligibility criteria.