Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced some welcoming changes to its popular Express Entry system on 25th April, 2023. These changes will help foreign national physicians to apply for Canada PR through the Express Entry system. This blog will explain the latest changes and how they will help the immigrants who will benefit from these changes.
Who are the Express Entry changes for?
The latest Express Entry changes are in effect to facilitate aspiring immigrants belonging to the following National Occupation Codes (NOC):
- NOC 31100– It is assigned to Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine. This NOC code includes jobs Anesthesiologists, Cardiologists, Child Specialists, Dermatologists, Community Medicine Physicians and specialists, etc.
- NOC 3110– Assigned to Specialists in Surgeons. This NOC code includes jobs like Cardiac surgeon, General surgeon, Neurosurgeons, Plastic surgeons, Urologists, etc.
- NOC 3110– Assigned to General practitioners and family physicians. This NOC code includes jobs like Medical Doctor, Family physician, General practitioners etc.
Reason for the latest changes in Express Entry
The Express Entry system invites applicants eligible for either of the following programs:
- Foreign Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Prior to the changes, the foreign national physicians faced many challenges when applying for PR through the Express Entry system.
Most physicians in Canada are usually paid on a Fee-for-Service basis. Fee-for-Service is a traditional payment model where physicians are paid by the province according to the number of services provided by them. Physicians working under this payment model are considered self-employed.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program under the Express Entry system requires the applicant to have an arranged job offer for a continuous period of one year. The physicians are unable to meet this requirement. This is because the fee-for-service model of payment does not demand that the physician needs to work continuously or for a year.
Problems faced by the physicians?
Since the foreign national physicians cannot be qualified to get points for a job offer for a continuous period of one year, they will not get points for an arranged employment in Canada. This factor carries 10 points in the 67 points calculator. Not being able to avail these points might render an otherwise qualified physician ineligible to enter the Express Entry pool.
Similarly, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requires the applicant to have at least one year of Canadian work experience in the last three years. However, it does not accept self-employed applicants. Since physicians working under the fee-for-service model are considered self-employed, they are not eligible for the CEC category despite being highly qualified.
Impact to the Canadian work force
Entry system, it impacts Canadian provinces and territories to invite and recruit qualified physicians and meet critical vacancies. Although foreign national physicians can apply for Canada PR through the PNP program, the Express Entry system offers significantly faster processing. This will in turn help the provinces to meet urgent healthcare requirements of physicians.
What are the Express Entry changes?
The job-offer to a foreign national physician belonging to the NOC codes 31100, 31101, 31102, from a provincial government, government agency or a healthcare organization might no longer need to be for continuous work. This means that your job offer no longer needs to be for one continuous year. Additionally, incase of eligible applicants, hours spent in self-employment might count towards the Canadian Work Experience requirement. This will help aspiring immigration applicants to get more points in both 67 points calculator as well as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and get fair chances to enter the Express Entry pool and receive an ITA or Invitation to Apply
These changes are in effect since 25th April, 2023.
Inorder to make the most of these subtle but significant Express Entry changes, you must consult with a CICC authorized immigration representative. We would substantially increase your chances of getting in the federal pool, help you get a high CRS score and get an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.
Seal your place in the Express Entry pool, contact us now!
