IRCC Invites 1,500 Express Entry Candidates in the Third Round of Invitations this Week, Focusing on Healthcare Occupations

In a surprising turn of events, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its third round of Express Entry invitations this week. Today’s invitations were specifically targeted towards candidates eligible for category-based selection in healthcare occupations. A total of 1,500 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency, marking the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement for any Express Entry round of invitations in 2023, with a minimum CRS score of 463.

This round of invitations follows the recent trend of occupation-specific draws introduced by IRCC. On June 28, the first-ever category-based draw invited 500 healthcare workers with a minimum CRS score of 476. In addition, on July 5, 500 candidates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions with a minimum CRS score of 486 received invitations.

The introduction of occupation-specific draws reflects IRCC’s efforts to address labor market needs and prioritize economic immigration candidates who possess key attributes aligned with Canada’s economic priorities. The new categories, which include healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture and agri-food, and strong French-language proficiency, were chosen based on labor market projections and extensive consultations with IRCC partners, stakeholders, as well as provincial and territorial governments.

Healthcare occupations represent the largest number of eligible occupations within the category-based selection draws, comprising a diverse range of professionals such as nurses, physicians, dentists, psychologists, and therapists. With a significant percentage of immigrants contributing to Canada’s healthcare sector, the country relies on immigration to fill urgent labor gaps. 

IRCC’s recent frequency of Express Entry draws and its focus on specific occupations signal the importance of maintaining an active Express Entry profile, regardless of the CRS score. Candidates with lower CRS scores and those without experience in priority occupations are encouraged to explore avenues for improving their CRS scores, such as provincial nomination options or French language proficiency, as IRCC is expected to conduct francophone draws in 2023.

While Express Entry draws typically occur bi-weekly, the recent occupation-specific draws have led to weekly rounds of invitations.

IRCC’s evolving approach to Express Entry draws underscores the dynamic nature of Canada’s immigration system, which remains responsive to the changing needs of the labor market.