IRCC Extends Invitations to 1,500 Express Entry Candidates in Third Round: An Update on the Latest Invitation Round

 In a recent update, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again extended invitations to Express Entry candidates in the third round of draws. This particular invitation round focused on healthcare occupations, resulting in a total of 1,500 candidates being invited to apply for permanent residence. Notably, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 463, making it the lowest CRS score for any Express Entry invitation round in 2023.

Healthcare Category Draw: IRCC Extends Invitations to Healthcare Workers

The recent announcement of the healthcare category draw comes as no surprise, as the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had previously confirmed that 1,500 invitations would be extended to healthcare workers this week. This draw follows the first-ever category-based invitation round on June 28, where 500 healthcare workers with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 476 were invited to apply.

Recent Draws and an Unexpected All-Program Draw

Prior to the healthcare category draw, on July 5, the IRCC invited 500 candidates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, with a minimum CRS score of 486. Additionally, on July 4, there was an unexpected all-program draw, where 700 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 511 received invitations. All program Express Entry Draws consider candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Healthcare Occupations in the Category-Based Selection

Under the new category-based selection framework, healthcare occupations encompass the largest number of eligible professions, totaling 35. It is important to note that Canada heavily relies on immigration to address urgent labor force gaps in the healthcare sector.

The Significance of Immigration in the Healthcare Sector

Recent data from Statistics Canada highlights that immigrants are the primary source of fulfilling labor gaps in the healthcare sector. Moreover, Canada currently has over 153,000 vacant positions in healthcare, making immigration crucial in meeting the increasing demand within the sector.

Introduction of Category-Based Selection Draws

The introduction of new categories for category-based selection draws was announced on May 31 by Sean Fraser, Canada's Minister of Immigration. This decision followed the amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022, which granted the immigration minister the authority to select economic immigration candidates aligned with Canada's economic priorities or the promotion of the French language outside of Quebec.

The shortlisted categories primarily focus on STEM professions, including healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The selection process for these categories is based on labor market requirements, consultations with IRCC partners, as well as provincial and territorial governments. The consecutive invitations extended by IRCC through the Express Entry system emphasize the government's commitment to addressing labor shortages and strengthening the Canadian economy through immigration. The specific emphasis on healthcare occupations highlights the significance of this sector in Canada's overall workforce. As IRCC continues to release Express Entry results, aspiring immigrants can stay informed about the latest developments in the program.