Healthcare occupation details for category-based draws include a variety of information. These revolve around the eligibility criteria for healthcare occupations, the list of professions under this category, and the reason behind choosing this category.
Sean Fraser discussed introducing the Express Entry category-based draws for candidates on May 31. Additionally, IRCC targeted candidates either with superior French language abilities or work experience in the following fields:
- STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
- Healthcare
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Contractors, Plumbers, and Carpenters – Trades
- Transport
The selection of these categories occurred due to the following factors:
- Labor market information and predictions;
- The feedback from IRCC partners, Canada’s stakeholders, provinces, and territories.
These category-based draws will commence this summer.
The reason behind selecting healthcare as a category
Immigration is the key factor Canada seeks to fill in the job positions under the healthcare category. The job vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 6 percent. It was primarily due to the availability of 143,695 vacant job positions in the Healthcare and Social Assistance category.
The healthcare sector has proven to comprise the highest figure of vacant job positions in Canada.
36% of doctors and almost one-quarter of all registered nurses in Canada were born abroad. Despite this, Canadian authorities frequently find it challenging to certify foreign-trained medical experts, making it challenging for healthcare professionals to find employment in their sector.
As a response, IRCC is taking initiatives to make it more convenient for internationally-trained healthcare workers to move to Canada. One of the most prominent measures was the removal of barriers for Physicians who are already present in Canada and hold a Temporary Resident Visa.
Healthcare occupation details for category-based draws – eligibility criteria
Being eligible for the healthcare professional category requires the candidates to fulfill the following:
- The eligibility criteria of at least one Express Entry’s Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the FSTP.
- Must have considerable continuous work experience of six months in one of the listed professions within the previous three years.
- Also, fulfill all the instructions for the rounds.
Healthcare occupations
The healthcare occupations consist of 35 professions, including:
- Massage Therapists
- Optometrists
- Dentists
- Specialists in Surgery
- General Practitioners and Family Physicians
- Physiotherapists
- Veterinarians
- Acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioners
- Orderlies, Patient Service Associates
- Cardiopulmonary technologies, Respiratory Therapists, and Clinical Perfusionists
Express Entry category-based rounds of invitations – what are the factors on which these are based?
IRCC claims that for the category-based invitation rounds, they will issue invitations to candidates to those eligible for a particular category. The department will send invitations to candidates to apply for Permanent Residence based on the following criteria:
- The potential to converse in a particular official language.
- Education
- Work experience in a particular TEER category of the NOC.
Category-based draws will become part of the program-specific and general draws by selecting and issuing invitations to candidates with the highest ranks. These are the candidates who have the potential to meet the economic standards of the country.
Healthcare occupation details for category-based draws – will candidates receive ranks based on CRS?
Candidates in the pool of Express Entry will attain a ranking under the Comprehensive Ranking System. This system will assess candidates based on several factors, including language proficiency, age, human capital factors, work experience, education, etc.
The CRS score will remain relevant in issuing invitations for category-based draws. Furthermore, IRCC will continue inviting candidates to those with top-ranking categories with eligibility for the targeted category in that specific draw.