As Category-based Express Entry draws are gaining popularity and helping Canada recuperate from its chronic labour shortage, IRCC has announced to continue with the same set of categories chosen for the previous year in 2024 as well.
Further, we’ll also discuss the latest BC PNP draw held on 13th Feb 2024.
Future of Category-Based Express Entry Draws
For the year 2024, the already-eligible six categories will continue to be in use. These targeted Express Entry categories are:
- Healthcare occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations
- STEM occupations
- French language proficiency
These categories were selected at the time Category-based Express Entry draws were launched back on 31 May 2024. The reason behind their launch was to bring in the required workforce and talent from other countries. Moreover, it’s a known fact that Canada is struggling to fill in the huge labor shortage it is facing in different industries.
All these reasons led to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launch of specific categories that will focus on inviting qualified candidates. These categories were chosen only after deep consultation with Canada’s provinces as well as territories, organizations that provide settlement services, unions, employers, immigration researchers, and worker advocacy groups.
Now, at the time these categories were launched, IRCC mentioned that it would be reviewing the categories every year and reporting to the parliament of Canada on the same. However, IRCC has mentioned that for 2024, it will continue with the current categories, and draws will be held in 2024 as usual.
This proves that Canada’s most in-demand industries in terms of labor shortage are still:
- Healthcare
- STEM
- Trade
- Transport
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
On 14th February 2024, Canada conducted 284th Express Entry draw and yes, this one was category-based. 3,500 candidates were invited from Healthcare occupations alone. Moreover, the CRS cut-off was just 422 points! Another typical example of how much Canada is desperate to fill its essential industries with required professionals.
Now, let’s discuss the latest PNP draw as well.
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Latest BC PNP Draw – 13 Feb 2024
Canada’s British Columbia conducted another weekly draw. This one issued 199 invitations to apply to applicants from Tech, Healthcare, Childcare, Construction, and Veterinary care.
Invitations to Apply and the Minimum score required for this round of draws are given below-
- Tech- 77 invitations to apply issued to those scoring 108 points or above
- Childcare- 54 candidates receive ITAs. They must have scored at least 60 points
- Healthcare- 41 ITAs for candidates with those scoring a minimum of 60 points
- Construction- 27 candidates are invited to apply for Canada PR, a minimum score of 75 points considered
- Less than 5 ITAs for Veterinary Care; candidates must have scored at least 60 points
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