What Is Category-Based Selection?
The general draw usually features candidates from all three Express Entry managed economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Unlike general draws, category-based selections target Express Entry candidates with specific in-demand skills and attributes. The draw was introduced in May 2023 to help Canada resolve labour shortages in critical sectors of the workforce.
Six categories were established: healthcare occupations, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions, trade occupations, transport occupations, agriculture and agri-food occupations, and strong French proficiency. Category-based selections can provide an advantage for candidates already in the Express Entry application pool.
The average CRS score for the category-based draws has also been significantly lower than the general draw requirements. For instance, four category-based selections featured 437 and 336 as the highest and lowest CRS scores. Meanwhile, no general draw in 2024 has featured a minimum CRS score lower than 534. The scores are also slightly lower in general compared to the 2023 requirements.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry refers to the application management system for the three economic immigration programs mentioned earlier: FSWP, CEC, and FSTP. If you think you’re eligible for one of these immigration programs, you can upload your profile to the IRCC website to receive a CRS score. The CRS score is assigned based on human capital attributes like education, occupation, work experience, language ability, and age.
The IRCC ranks candidates in the Express Entry application pool against each other based on the assigned CRS score. Those with the highest CRS scores have the best chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent resident status in Canada. After receiving your invitation to apply, you’ll have 60 days to submit the final application to the IRCC. Those who don’t receive an ITA will have their profiles expire and removed from the Express Entry pool.
