500 healthcare professionals have been invited by IRCC as part of the new Express Entry category-based selection draws. A minimum comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score of 476 was required of applicants. Canada holds first-ever category-based Express Entry draw for healthcare workers
Since the six new categories were revealed on May 31, this is the first selection draw based on category. On July 5, 1,500 healthcare professionals will be invited to apply in a second round.
Additionally, a draw to choose qualified individuals from the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is anticipated to take place that same week.
Healthcare occupations and category-based selection
On May 31, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it had finalized new category-based selection for Express Entry.
Among the six new categories, healthcare occupations make up the largest number of eligible occupations, with 35 in total:
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- Chiropractors
- Dentists
- Dieticians and nutritionists
- Education counselors
- General practitioners and family physicians
- Instructors of persons with disabilities
- Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- Licensed practical nurses
- Massage therapists
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Medical radiation technologists
- Medical sonographers
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- Nurse practitioners
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- Occupational therapists
- Optometrists
- Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- Other practitioners of natural healing
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- Paramedical occupations
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- Physiotherapists
- Psychologists
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- Specialists in surgery
- Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- Veterinarians
Other categories include:
- science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- transportation
- agriculture and agri-food
- strong French language proficiency
Healthcare worker shortage in Canada
One of the industries with a severe labor shortage is healthcare. This is partly a result of Canada’s population aging and one of the lowest birth rates in the world. For instance, nine million Canadians are anticipated to reach the age of retirement, 65, in the ensuing 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 open posts. Canada holds first-ever category-based draw.
Through designated streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), 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.
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 important characteristics if they will help the country’s economic interests or encourage the immigration of French-speaking people to areas outside of Quebec.
Following conversations 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. Canada holds first-ever category-based draw.
Candidates must have completed at least six months of continuous employment in one of the following occupations within the previous three years in order to qualify under the occupation-specific categories. You can obtain this experience in Canada or abroad.
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