What is Category-Based Selection in Express Entry?

According to the Government of Canada, the immigration system is designed to meet the country’s economic and labour market needs. One way this is achieved is through category-based selection in the Express Entry system.

In category-based rounds, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for a specific category established by the Minister. These categories are created to address identified economic goals and labour shortages across the country.

How Category-Based Selection Works

Unlike general or program-specific draws, category-based rounds focus on specific skills, occupations, or language abilities. Invitations to apply for permanent residence are issued based on criteria such as:

• Ability to communicate in a specific official language
• Work experience in a specific occupation
• Education

This process ensures that immigration directly supports areas where Canada needs talent most.

Current Categories

As of now, there are six established categories:

1. French-language proficiency
2. Healthcare and social services occupations
3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
4. Trade occupations
5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
6. Education occupations

These categories are designed to complement general and program-specific rounds, not replace them. If there are already enough top-ranking candidates eligible in a general draw, a category-based round may not be required.

How Categories Are Chosen

The Government of Canada selects categories based on:

• Labour market information and projections
• Input from provinces, territories, and key stakeholders across the country

Each year, IRCC reports to Parliament on:

• The categories chosen the previous year
• Why and how those categories were chosen
• The number of invitations issued for each category
• The instructions used to establish a category

This information is also published in the Express Entry Year-End Report, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for an invitation through a category-based round, you must:

• Meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including eligibility for one of the three immigration programs it covers
• Satisfy all requirements outlined in the instructions for that round

Once a category-based draw is held, candidates in the pool who meet the requirements are ranked, and top-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence.

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