Which Candidates Will Receive Invitations?
To date, no confirmation has been given about which candidates will receive invitations to apply (ITAs) in targeted draws. The minister said he would consult with provinces, business councils and other stakeholders.As a result of the minister’s new authority, Express Entry candidates can now be invited based on the most pressing economic needs and urgent labour shortages.
Here’s a helpful example:
healthcare is one of the most challenging occupational categories. In October, the job vacancy rate within the sector stood at 6%. The government has been taking measures to fill jobs, such as removing some barriers for internationally trained physicians that are already in Canada and launching the Foreign Credential Recognition Program. However, it is plausible that future Express Entry draws may target only candidates from this sector, which may result in more rapid filling of position.
Reasons for Changes in the System
There is one major reason for the implementation of changes to the system, and that is there is currently a labour shortage in Canada due to an aging population and a low birth rate. In 2030, nine million Canadians will reach retirement age, and there aren’t enough young Canadians to fill these positions, resulting in a large number of job vacancies that will be hard to fill. The Canadian economy relies heavily on immigration to maintain its workforce.
According to the immigration levels plan 2023-2025, up to 500,000 permanent residents will be admitted annually by 2025. Of these, over 110,000 will be admitted through Express Entry programs. So, these changes will be of major assistance!
IRCC would still require candidates to meet Express Entry eligibility criteria with targeted draws. However, a candidate’s CRS score would not be the deciding factor in receiving an ITA. It is possible to tailor the draws for candidates with specific skills, qualifications, or language abilities.
