Canada to Resume Express Entry Draws, Invites Transport Workers

In a significant development for immigration hopefuls, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially confirmed the resumption of Express Entry draws later this week, ending a month-long hiatus.

This news comes after the last Express Entry draw, which occurred on August 15, 2023, inviting 4,300 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 496.

In an all-program draw like the previous one, candidates are considered if they meet the minimum CRS score and are part of the Express Entry application pool.

The first draw is expected to be for transport occupations, such as commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers. IRCC says that filling these positions will help Canada’s economy advance.

Express Entry Draw for Transport Occupations

IRCC has further revealed plans to introduce a category-based selection for transport occupations in the upcoming draw. This category will encompass a diverse range of professions, including commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers.

The IRCC emphasizes that filling these positions is crucial to Canada’s economic growth and infrastructure development.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller states;

“As Canada continues to expand its economy, we remain committed to enhancing the transport and infrastructure sectors to ensure the seamless movement of goods and passengers across the nation. Category-based selection allows us to welcome newcomers with expertise in transport occupations to address significant labor shortages and ensure the long-term prosperity of the Canadian transport industry.”

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Today, we are announcing that the first round for Express Entry’s Transportation category-based selection will open this week.

This focus on candidates with transportation expertise—including commercial truck drivers, pilots and aircraft assembly worker—will help Canada attract… pic.twitter.com/fZmZ8gGwXV

— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) September 18, 2023

What is category-based selection?

On June 22, 2022, Canada’s government updated the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support the country’s economic priorities.

On May 31, IRCC introduced six new categories for Express Entry candidates:

• Strong abilities in the French language
• Healthcare occupations
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
• Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
• Transport
• Agriculture and agri-food

Since the new categories were introduced, there have been two draws for healthcare occupations, one for STEM occupations, three draws for French speakers and one for skilled trades. Through these draws, there have been 10,900 candidates invited so far in 2023.

IRCC says that category-based selection will help Canada attract top global talent and meet the need for transport workers to support the economy.

How to apply for Express Entry

To apply for Express Entry, you must create an online profile and meet the eligibility criteria. You will also need to have a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS is a points-based system that assesses your skills, work experience, education, and language abilities.

If you are invited to apply for permanent residence, you will need to submit a complete application package and pay the processing fees.

Conclusion

The resumption of Express Entry draws is good news for skilled workers who are hoping to immigrate to Canada. The new category-based selection system will help to ensure that Canada is able to attract the workers it needs to support its economic growth.