top of page

Canada's Strategic Occupation-Focused Immigration Policy in 2023-2024 Express Entry



In 2023 and early 2024, Canada's Express Entry system implemented category-based rounds, focusing on specific occupational groups to align with the country's economic goals. Each category had unique eligibility criteria and targeted different professional groups.

  1. French-Language Proficiency: Targeting candidates proficient in French, requiring at least a score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens. Reflecting Canada's goal to increase the number of French speakers outside Quebec, six draws focusing on French proficiency were prominent in the second half of 2023, issuing 8,700 ITAs. IRCC conducted three draws in 2024 for candidates with proficiency in French. For example, on February 1, 2024, 7000 ITAs were issued with a CRS base score of 365, on February 29, 2024, 2500 ITAs were issued with a CRS base score of 336, and on March 26, 2024, 1500 ITAs were issued with a CRS base score of 388.

  2. Healthcare Occupations: Eligible candidates included those with at least six months of work experience in the past three years in specific healthcare occupations, such as registered nurses, dentists, and physicians. In response to high demand in the healthcare sector, three category-based draws were conducted in the latter half of 2023, issuing 5,600 ITAs. In the latest draw conducted by IRCC on February 14, 2024, 3500 ITAs were sent to candidates with a CRS base score of 422.

  3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations: Including a variety of professions in the STEM field, like engineering managers, architects, computer engineers, mathematicians, and data scientists. Draws targeting candidates with work experience in STEM fields were also part of the category-based approach. The first draw of 2024 for occupational groups in the STEM field was conducted by IRCC on April 11, 2024, and 4500 ITAs were sent to candidates with a CRS base score of 491.

  4. Trade Occupations: Requiring six months of work experience in trades such as welding, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. These draws were designed to invite individuals with experience in various trades, acknowledging their importance in Canada's economy.

  5. Transport Occupations: Focusing on professionals in the transport sector, including occupations like managers in transportation and aircraft mechanics. In March 2024, a category-based draw issued 975 ITAs with a CRS score starting at 430, as part of the ongoing effort to support Canada's transport sector. In the latest draw conducted by IRCC on March 13, 2024, 975 ITAs were sent to candidates with a CRS base score of 430.

  6. Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations: Concentrating on professions in the agriculture and agri-food sector, this category included various roles integral to Canada's agricultural industry. Recognizing the significance of the agricultural sector for Canada's food security and economic health, draws were also conducted for individuals with experience in agriculture and agri-food occupations. In the latest draw conducted by IRCC on February 16, 2024, 150 ITAs were sent to candidates with a CRS base score of 437.

These targeted draws illustrate Canada's strategic approach to immigration, selecting candidates based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores and their ability to meet certain economic or labor market requirements, thereby aligning immigration with Canada's labor market needs.


  1. Healthcare Occupations

  • Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors (NOC 31300)

  • Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)

  • Nurse practitioners (NOC 31302)

  • Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC 31100)

  • Specialists in surgery (NOC 31101)

  • General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)

  • Dentists (NOC 31110)

  • Veterinarians (NOC 31103)

  • Optometrists (NOC 31111)

  • Chiropractors (NOC 31201)

  • Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating (NOC 31209)

  • Dieticians and nutritionists (NOC 31121)

  • Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (NOC 31112)

  • Physiotherapists (NOC 31202)

  • Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 32109)

  • Occupational therapists (NOC 31203)

  • Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 31204)

  • Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 32120)

  • Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (NOC 33101)

  • Other assisting occupations in support of health services (NOC 33109)

  • Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals (NOC 31303)

  • Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists (NOC 32103)

  • Medical radiation technologists (NOC 32121)

  • Medical sonographers (NOC 32122)

  • Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists (NOC 32200)

  • Other practitioners of natural healing (NOC 32209)

  • Massage therapists (NOC 32201)

  • Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101)

  • Paramedical occupations (NOC 32102)

  • Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (NOC 33102)

  • Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (NOC 33103)

  • Psychologists (NOC 31200)

  • Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies (NOC 41301)

  • Educational counselors (NOC 41320)

  • Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 42203)

 

  2- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations

  • Engineering managers (NOC 20010)

  • Architecture and science managers (NOC 20011)

  • Computer and information systems managers (NOC 2001

  • Civil engineers (NOC 21300)

  • Electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 21310)

  • Industrial and manufacturing engineers (NOC 21321)

  • Metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322)

  • Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 21311)

  • Architects (NOC 21200)

  • Landscape architects (NOC 21201)

  • Urban and land use planners (NOC 21202)

  • Land surveyors (NOC 21203)

  • Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries (NOC 21210)

  • Data scientists (NOC 21211)

  • Cybersecurity specialists (NOC 21220)

  • Business systems specialists (NOC 21221)

  • Information systems specialists (NOC 21222)

  • Web designers (NOC 21233)

  • Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)

  • Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231)

  • Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 21230)

  • Software developers and programmers (NOC 21232)

  • Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234)

  • Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers (NOC 41400)

 

      3. Trade Occupations

  • Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106)

  • Electricians (except industrial and power system) (NOC 72200)

  • Plumbers (NOC 72300)

  • Carpenters (NOC 72310)

  • Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics (NOC 72400)

  • Machine fitters (NOC 72405)

  • Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics (NOC 72402)

  • Elevator constructors and mechanics (NOC 72406)

  • Residential and commercial installers and servicers (NOC 73200)

  • Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers (NOC 72014)

    4. Transport Occupations

  • Managers in transportation (NOC 70020)

  • Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 73105)

  • Railway carmen/women (NOC 73110)

  • Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 73120)

  • Railway and yard locomotive engineers (NOC 73121)

  • Railway conductors and brakemen/women (NOC 73122)

  • Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (NOC 73210)

  • Motor vehicle body repairers (NOC 73220)

  • Other automotive mechanical installers and servicers (NOC 73209)

  • Transport Truck Drivers (NOC73300)

 

5. Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations

  • Managers in agriculture (NOC 80010)

  • Managers in horticulture (NOC 80020)

  • Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services (NOC 82010)

  • Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers (NOC 82110)

  • General farm workers (NOC 84110)

  • Nursery and greenhouse workers (NOC 84120)

  • Harvesting labourers (NOC 85100)

  • Fish and seafood plant workers (NOC 94130)

  • Trappers and hunters (NOC 84310)

Each of these categories aligns with specific economic needs in Canada, targeting skilled professionals in critical sectors. Candidates who meet the criteria of these categories are strategically invited to apply for permanent residency, thus addressing gaps in the Canadian labor market.


For more detailed information about each occupation and its corresponding NOC code, you can refer to resources like the official Find your National Occupation Classification (NOC) - Canada.ca website. If you want to receive professional consultancy for your immigration processes, you can book a consultation appointment through this link:

Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) - Alper Kirtil https://www.beincanada.ca/booking-calendar


Additionally, you can reach us by phone at +1 (416) 635 1903 or via email at info@beincanada.ca for all immigration-related services.


bottom of page