Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first-ever category-based draw on June 28, 2023. This new draw type was announced in May 2022 to attract skilled newcomers based on specific national labor gaps and demographic challenges. The initiative aims to address Canada’s need for foreign nationals with specific in-demand work experience and proficiencies.
Overview of Category-based Draws
Category-based draws were implemented to prioritize candidates with certain work experiences and language proficiencies. While these draws focus on specific attributes, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores remain a factor. In 2024, IRCC prioritized candidates with the following work experience and language proficiencies:
Healthcare occupations
Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations
Trades occupations
Transport occupations
Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations
French-language proficiency
Draw Types, Frequency, and CRS Scores
Since the first category-based draw, IRCC has conducted 25 such draws. The CRS cut-off scores, which determine the lowest eligible Express Entry profile score among candidates who received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), varied significantly across categories.
Date of Draw | Category | CRS Cut-Off Score | Number of ITAs Issued |
June 28, 2023 | Healthcare | 476 | 500 |
July 5, 2023 | STEM | 486 | 500 |
July 6, 2023 | Healthcare | 463 | 1,500 |
July 7, 2023 | French | 439 | 2,300 |
July 12, 2023 | French | 375 | 3,800 |
August 2, 2023 | French | 435 | 800 |
August 3, 2023 | Trades | 388 | 1,500 |
September 20, 2023 | Transport | 435 | 1,000 |
September 27, 2023 | French | 472 | 500 |
September 28, 2023 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 354 | 600 |
(Note: The table shows 10 out of 25 entries. Additional data available upon request.)
Total ITAs Issued by Category
The number of ITAs issued to candidates in each category also varied greatly in the last year:
Healthcare: 9,100 ITAs
STEM: 10,900 ITAs
Trades: 2,500 ITAs
Transport: 2,645 ITAs
Agriculture and Agri-Food: 1,150 ITAs
French-language proficiency: 21,100 ITAs
Outlook for 2024
In April, CIC News reported IRCC's overall plan for ITA distribution among these categories for 2024:
Healthcare: 15%
STEM: 25%
Trades: 5%
Transport: 3%
Agriculture and Agri-Food: 0.5%
French-language proficiency: 30%
IRCC indicated that 78.5% of all Express Entry ITAs will be issued to category-based draw candidates, while the remaining 21.5% will be issued in general draws throughout the year.
Category-based draws have provided a targeted approach to meet Canada’s labor market needs, attracting skilled workers in specific sectors. As IRCC continues to refine and implement these draws, they remain a crucial tool in addressing labor gaps and supporting Canada’s economic growth.
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