MUMBAI: Sean Fraser, Canada’s immigration minister, today announced the much-awaited launch of the category-based selection for the Express Entry program – a point-based popular route for Indians to gain permanent residency in Canada.
India is the top source country for immigrants under the Express Entry Route. In 2020, Indian citizens bagged 50,841 invites to apply for permanent residence in Canada, which was 47% of the total invites issued by its immigration agency.
TOI had last May, written about the proposed introduction of category-specific draws to meet the country’s labour and economic needs. Today’s announcement is on expected lines, it means good news for those from the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations. Canada is a popular destination for Indian’s tech workers and this announcement could help them get an easier inroad. Canada could also prove to be a stronger attraction for blue collar workers like electricians, plumbers and even truck drivers.
For 2023, category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have a strong French language proficiency or work experience in the following fields: Healthcare occupations (this includes general practitioners, licensed nurses, dentists); Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations (this includes data scientists, data analysts, computer engineers, civil engineers); Trade occupations (this includes as carpenters, plumbers, electricians); Transport occupations (this includes pilots, aero engineers, truck drivers) and lastly Agriculture and agri-food occupations.
India is the top source country for immigrants under the Express Entry Route. In 2020, Indian citizens bagged 50,841 invites to apply for permanent residence in Canada, under the ‘Express Entry’ route. This is 47% of the total invites (1.07 lakh) which were issued by Canada’s immigration agency. But for aspiring Indians today’s announcement is a mixed bag.
Canada’s immigration levels plan had set the targets at 4.65 lakh permanent residents in 2023. In this backdrop, Ken Nickel-Lane, founder of an immigration services firm, told TOI, “I suspect this may not end up being particularly good news if you do not fit within the National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes being focused on. In my estimation it’s unlikely these targeted draws will be in addition to current targets, thus the spots awarded under the category-based rounds will in effect take away from general draws. The potential result will be an increase in score cutoff’s for general draws making selection less likely for those who do not fit in these categories.”
It will be even more challenging if the category specific draws become a larger percentage of Express Entry draws going forwards, adds Nickel-Lane.
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), these categories have been determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders and the public, as well as a review of labour market needs. Further details on the timing of invitations for individual categories and how to apply will be announced in the coming weeks.
Fraser said, “Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages. These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed. We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities…”
India is the top source country for immigrants under the Express Entry Route. In 2020, Indian citizens bagged 50,841 invites to apply for permanent residence in Canada, which was 47% of the total invites issued by its immigration agency.
TOI had last May, written about the proposed introduction of category-specific draws to meet the country’s labour and economic needs. Today’s announcement is on expected lines, it means good news for those from the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations. Canada is a popular destination for Indian’s tech workers and this announcement could help them get an easier inroad. Canada could also prove to be a stronger attraction for blue collar workers like electricians, plumbers and even truck drivers.
For 2023, category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have a strong French language proficiency or work experience in the following fields: Healthcare occupations (this includes general practitioners, licensed nurses, dentists); Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations (this includes data scientists, data analysts, computer engineers, civil engineers); Trade occupations (this includes as carpenters, plumbers, electricians); Transport occupations (this includes pilots, aero engineers, truck drivers) and lastly Agriculture and agri-food occupations.
India is the top source country for immigrants under the Express Entry Route. In 2020, Indian citizens bagged 50,841 invites to apply for permanent residence in Canada, under the ‘Express Entry’ route. This is 47% of the total invites (1.07 lakh) which were issued by Canada’s immigration agency. But for aspiring Indians today’s announcement is a mixed bag.
Canada’s immigration levels plan had set the targets at 4.65 lakh permanent residents in 2023. In this backdrop, Ken Nickel-Lane, founder of an immigration services firm, told TOI, “I suspect this may not end up being particularly good news if you do not fit within the National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes being focused on. In my estimation it’s unlikely these targeted draws will be in addition to current targets, thus the spots awarded under the category-based rounds will in effect take away from general draws. The potential result will be an increase in score cutoff’s for general draws making selection less likely for those who do not fit in these categories.”
It will be even more challenging if the category specific draws become a larger percentage of Express Entry draws going forwards, adds Nickel-Lane.
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), these categories have been determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders and the public, as well as a review of labour market needs. Further details on the timing of invitations for individual categories and how to apply will be announced in the coming weeks.
Fraser said, “Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages. These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed. We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities…”
