IRCC Holds Express Entry Draw for Healthcare Occupations; Third Draw This Week

 The Third Express Entry draw of the week was held by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

In a category-based selection draw for healthcare jobs, the government issued 3,600 invitations to apply (ITAs). To be considered, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 431.

Today’s draw comes after two others this week. On October 24, there was a Provincial Nominee Program-only draw. IRCC invited 1,548 individuals having a CRS of at least 776 to apply. 

Because Express Entry candidates who are also nominated by a province receive an additional 600 CRS points, the minimum CRS score for PNP candidates is higher than typical.

On October 25, the second draw was held, and 300 candidates were invited in a category-based selection draw for those who demonstrated French-speaking proficiency. To be considered, they needed a minimum CRS score of 486.

Express Entry candidates are no longer required to undergo an initial medical examination.

Express Entry candidates are no longer needed to have an upfront immigrant medical examination (IME) before submitting their permanent residence application to IRCC as of October 1, this year.

Although an exam is still required, candidates may submit a blank document in the Express Entry profile builder’s upload area. IRCC will email you additional instructions about your medical exam later.

Those who have already completed an IME as part of another IRCC application or who are already living in Canada do not need to take another one.

What exactly is Express Entry?

Express Entry is a system for managing applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to evaluate candidates in these programs. Candidates are ranked based on human capital characteristics such as age, language ability, work experience, occupation, and education.

Each attribute is awarded a score, and when all scores are added together, the total can reach 1200. Candidates seldom achieve this level of performance, with most minimum CRS cut-off scores being between 350 and 550 (occasionally higher, depending on the type of draw). Candidates with the highest marks are more likely to acquire an ITA to apply for permanent residence status with IRCC.

What is the definition of category-based selection?

Earlier this year, IRCC added new categories in which the CRS score is not the most important deciding factor in ITA issuance. A new law enacted in June 2022 empowers the immigration minister to welcome individuals who meet an economic need in Canada or serve to promote the French language without question.

As a result, IRCC established six additional draw categories for Express Entry candidates with strong French skills or work experience in:

Healthcare;

STEM occupations;

Trades;

Transport;

Agriculture and agribusiness

Since June, Canada has invited candidates via category-based selection draws ten times, totaling over 10,000 ITAs. All of the applicants were already in the Express Entry pool.