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By Jessica Thakur, November 04, 2024
In a strategic shift to address Canada's labor market and demographic needs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced category-based selection draws in the Express Entry system. This change offers a unique opportunity for candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores below 500, particularly in categories such as French language proficiency, healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture.
While general and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws in 2024 have maintained cut-offs above 500, the category-based selection draws have set lower thresholds, allowing eligible candidates with specific skills to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) despite lower CRS scores.
Profiles Benefiting from Category-Based Selections
To demonstrate the advantage of these draws, here are a few fictional profiles that would have qualified in recent category-based selections:
Example 1: Ahmad – Transport Occupations
Ahmad, a 32-year-old with a master’s degree in aviation technology, works as an aircraft assembly inspector in the UAE. With advanced English skills (CLB 9) but no Canadian work experience, he scored 453 points. Ahmad’s profile fits the transport category, where the latest cut-off was 430 in March 2024. If he were in the Express Entry pool, Ahmad would have likely received an ITA in this draw.
Example 2: Alvin – Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
Alvin, a 34-year-old from the Philippines, completed a three-year degree in landscape design and horticulture in Canada. He currently works as a landscape supervisor in Canada with three years of experience. With a CRS score of 447, Alvin qualified under the agriculture and agri-food category, where the last cut-off was 437 in February 2024.
Example 3: Sara – French Language Proficiency
Sara, a 27-year-old accountant from Morocco, has over three years of experience and a post-secondary degree in finance. She achieved CLB 9 in French and CLB 5 in English, earning her 483 points. She would have been eligible in the French-language proficiency category, where the latest cut-off was 444 in October 2024.
The Growing Role of Category-Based Selections
Since the IRCC introduced category-based selections, the focus has been on specific skill sets and linguistic capabilities that align with Canada's economic needs. In 2023, 29% of all ITAs were awarded to STEM candidates. This year, there’s a particular emphasis on French proficiency, supporting Canada’s target of increasing francophone immigration outside Quebec to 8% by 2026.
The flexibility of category-based selections has allowed the IRCC to prioritize profiles with skills that align with labor market gaps. In January 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller indicated that new categories might be introduced based on feedback from provincial and territorial representatives, industry leaders, unions, employers, and immigration experts.
How Category-Based Selections Impact CRS Scores
The introduction of category-based selection draws has led to fewer general draws, with the last one occurring in April 2024. General draws now have much higher cut-off scores—often above 500—while category-specific draws offer lower thresholds, making it easier for candidates with specialized skills to qualify. For instance, the minimum score for French proficiency dropped to 336 in February 2024.
For eligible candidates, keeping their profiles updated is crucial. IRCC’s approach to category-based draws opens up opportunities for candidates with the right skills and language proficiencies to receive ITAs, regardless of the general CRS score trends.
Canada’s category-based selection draws represent a targeted strategy to address workforce shortages and enhance the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity, paving the way for skilled workers in in-demand fields to realize their immigration dreams.
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