Comprehensive Guide to the Canada Express Entry System

The Government of Canada regularly conducts draws from the Express Entry pool to invite candidates to apply for permanent residency. There are different types of draws, each targeting specific groups of candidates:

All Program Draws

Express Entry All Program draws are a key component of Canada’s immigration system, inviting candidates from all three federal economic programs managed under Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These draws are conducted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on a regular basis and are open to candidates across various professions, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.

In an All Program draw, candidates are ranked based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which takes into account factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and whether they have a job offer or a provincial nomination. The candidates with the highest CRS scores are issued Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

The All Program draws are notable for their inclusivity. Unlike program-specific draws, which focus on particular groups such as Canadian Experience Class or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, these draws allow individuals from any of the three economic streams to compete based solely on their CRS score.

All Program draws provide a broad and competitive pathway to permanent residency, making it essential for candidates to maximize their CRS score by improving factors such as language results, gaining additional work experience, or securing a provincial nomination. These draws are a significant part of Canada’s strategy to welcome skilled immigrants and fill gaps in its labor market across diverse sectors.

PNP Draws

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws within Canada’s Express Entry system are specialized immigration draws that target candidates who have received a nomination from a Canadian province or territory. Each province or territory has its own PNP aligned with the Express Entry system, which allows them to nominate candidates who meet specific local labor market needs and can contribute to the province’s economic development.

Candidates who receive a provincial nomination through an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream gain a significant advantage in the Express Entry pool. A nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, virtually guaranteeing that they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in the next draw.

PNP draws target individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to settling in a particular province and who possess the skills and work experience that align with that province’s economic priorities. These draws may also be occupation-specific, focusing on candidates with experience in industries where the province is experiencing labor shortages, such as healthcare, technology, or skilled trades.

Express Entry PNP draws allow provinces to address their unique demographic and economic challenges by selecting candidates who are most likely to integrate successfully into their local workforce. For prospective immigrants, receiving a provincial nomination is one of the most effective ways to increase their chances of securing permanent residency in Canada, especially if their CRS score is lower than the threshold for regular all-program draws.

Program-Specific Draws

Program-specific draws within Canada’s Express Entry system are targeted draws that focus on candidates from one of the three main federal immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Unlike All Program draws, which invite candidates from any of the three programs based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, program-specific draws are designed to address particular economic needs by selecting candidates from a specific program.

For example, a draw targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates may aim to invite individuals with Canadian work experience who are already well-integrated into the country’s labor market. Similarly, a draw focused on the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) might address shortages in skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers, or carpenters, where the need for labor is particularly high.

Program-specific draws allow the government to be more strategic in addressing labor market needs and ensuring that the immigration system supports key industries. These draws often have lower CRS score thresholds compared to All Program draws, providing an advantage to candidates who qualify under the targeted program but may have a lower overall score.

For candidates, staying informed about program-specific draws can be a key advantage, as these draws offer more focused opportunities to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada based on their specific qualifications and program eligibility.

Occupation-Specific Draws

Express Entry occupation-specific draws are invitations issued to candidates within the Express Entry pool who have work experience in a particular occupation. These draws are designed to target specific industries or sectors where there are significant skill shortages, ensuring that the individuals selected meet the demands of Canada’s economy.

Typically, Express Entry draws invite candidates based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, regardless of their occupation. However, in an occupation-specific draw, the government shifts its focus from CRS scores to particular skillsets or job categories. This helps address immediate labor market needs by selecting candidates whose skills align with those of high-demand occupations in Canada.

For example, if there is a significant need for healthcare professionals, the government may conduct a draw specifically targeting nurses, physicians, or other healthcare workers. By doing this, Canada ensures that its immigration system remains flexible and responsive to labor market shortages.

The draws target 82 occupations in the following fields:

• healthcare
• science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
• trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
• transport
• agriculture and agri-food

How Do Occupation-Specific Draws Work?

Occupation-specific draws operate within the broader framework of the Express Entry system, which manages immigration applications for three major programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These draws specifically target applicants whose work experience aligns with Canada’s labor market demands.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how occupation-specific draws work:

1. Identification of In-Demand Occupations: The Canadian government identifies occupations facing significant shortages based on labor market assessments, industry reports, and feedback from provinces. These occupations are typically those where employers have difficulty finding qualified workers within Canada.
2. Setting Draw Criteria: For an occupation-specific draw, the government sets eligibility criteria based on the specific occupation being targeted. This could involve focusing on a particular National Occupational Classification (NOC) code or range of codes. For example, a draw may target healthcare professionals classified under NOC 3012 (Registered Nurses) or NOC 3112 (General Practitioners and Family Physicians).
3. Issuing Invitations to Apply (ITA): Once the criteria are set, candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet the requirements of the targeted occupation are invited to apply for permanent residency, even if their CRS scores are lower than the threshold for general draws. This allows candidates with specific skills to bypass the traditional CRS competition and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) more easily.
4. Follow-Up Actions: After receiving an ITA, the selected candidates proceed with their application for permanent residency. They must still meet the basic eligibility requirements of the Express Entry system, including medical exams, background checks, and proof of settlement funds.

Why Does Canada Hold Occupation-Specific Draws?

Canada holds occupation-specific draws to address the following key challenges:

1. Labor Shortages:

Many sectors in Canada are experiencing significant labor shortages, particularly in healthcare, technology, construction, and skilled trades. By targeting specific occupations through Express Entry, the Canadian government can ensure a steady influx of skilled workers in these critical industries. Occupation-specific draws help meet the immediate needs of employers and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the labor market.

2. Aligning Immigration with Economic Needs:

One of the guiding principles of Canada’s immigration system is to align immigration with economic growth and development. Occupation-specific draws allow the government to focus on bringing in individuals who can quickly integrate into the workforce and address skills gaps that threaten the growth of key industries.

3. Promoting Faster Immigration:

Occupation-specific draws can also speed up the immigration process for certain candidates. In traditional draws, candidates with lower CRS scores may have to wait months or even years to receive an ITA. Occupation-specific draws provide a faster pathway to permanent residency for those in high-demand professions, ensuring Canada attracts the talent it urgently needs.

Which Occupations Are Targeted?

Occupation-specific draws vary depending on Canada’s labor market needs at any given time. However, some common industries and occupations that have been targeted in the past include: