Category-based Express Entry draw held for healthcare workers for the first time. IRCC issued invitations to 500 healthcare workers under the Express Entry category-based draws. The least CRS score turned out to be 476.
Ever since the six new categories were declared on May 31, this draw happened to be the first category-based draw. A second round of invitations will occur on July 5, issuing 1,500 invitations to apply to workers.
A draw of candidates from the STEM professions will also occur in the same week.
Category-based Express Entry draw held for healthcare workers – healthcare occupations
IRCC declared on May 31 about its new Express Entry category-based draw. The six new categories consist of at least 35 healthcare occupations among the listed eligible occupations. They’re as follows:
- Chiropractors
- Education Counsellors
- Dentists
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- Instructions for persons with disabilities
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Dieticians and Nutritionists
- Medical Sonographers
- Massage Therapists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Optometrists
- Medical Radiation Technologists
- Veterinarians
- Physiotherapists
- Paramedical Occupations
- Nursing Coordinators and Supervisors
- Other practitioners of natural healing
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- Specialists in Clinical and laboratory medicine
- Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners
- Specialists in Surgery
- Therapists in Counseling and related specialized therapies
- Cardiopulmonary Technologists, Respiratory Therapists, and Clinical Perfusionists
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- Paramedical occupations
- Physician assistants, midwives, and pharmacy assistants
- Nurse Aids, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates
- Other professional occupations – health diagnosing and treating
- Assisting occupations in support of health services
The other categories are as follows:
- STEM professions – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Transportation
- Higher-level French language abilities
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Plumbers, Contractors, and Carpenters – Trades
The shortage of healthcare workers in Canada
Healthcare has emerged as one of the topmost sectors facing an acute shortage of workers. This is partially due to Canada’s reduced birth rate and aging population. For instance, Canada recently analyzed that nearly nine million Canadians will meet their retirement age of 65 in the upcoming seven years.
The need for healthcare will increase as the population ages. To make up for the lack of younger Canadians and fill these crucial posts, Canada needs immigration.
According to recent Statistics Canada data on job openings, the healthcare and social support sector has 144,500 open positions as of March 2023, accounting for 17.7% of all available posts.
Through specific streams of the Provincial Nominee Program, several provinces and territories already organize draws for healthcare professionals. For instance, British Columbia invites healthcare professionals in almost every BC PNP draw, Ontario recently invited 318 foreign workers in a healthcare occupation, and Alberta recently introduced a Designated Healthcare Pathway under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
IRPA amendments
Due to amendments made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022, it was anticipated that category-based selection drawings would start this year. As a result of the amendments, Canada’s immigration minister may now choose economic immigrants based on essential characteristics if they will help the country’s economic interests or encourage the immigration of French-speaking people to areas outside of Quebec.
Following consultations with provincial and territorial governments as well as other stakeholders, who were able to assist IRCC in determining where the biggest labor force gaps exist, the categories were determined.
Candidates must have completed at least six months of continuous employment in one of the aforementioned occupations within the previous three years to qualify under the occupation-specific categories. You can obtain this experience in Canada or abroad.
