IRCC sets a Landmark by introducing Express Entry STEM Draw This week, a second set of Express Entry invitations were sent out by the IRCC. Moreover, these invitations were for the applicants who qualified for Express Entry STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) category-based selection. As a result, 500 applicants received invitations, and 486 CRS scores or above were required.
Furthermore, this draw was anticipated because this week IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) announced, the first-ever category-based Express Entry lottery for persons in the Express Entry STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professions.
Additionally, 1,500 healthcare professionals will be invited to apply for permanent residency in another invitation round that the IRCC has confirmed to send out this week.
Equally important, a minimum CRS score of 476 is required for 500 healthcare workers to be invited to the most recent category-based draw, which took place last week on June 28. Moreover, this was the lowest CRS score in any Express Entry lottery this far in 2023.
Eligible Express Entry STEM Occupations
According to a recent news release from IRCC, Canada intends to fulfil the rising demand for talented immigrants and fill essential positions that support the country’s economic development and technological innovation by giving priority to the invitation of qualified immigrants with STEM experience.
The following professions are eligible for the Express Entry STEM draw:
- Architects
- Architecture and science managers
- Business systems specialists
- Civil Engineers
- Computer and information systems managers
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- Computer systems developers and programmers
- Cybersecurity specialists
- Data scientists
- Database analysts and data administrators
- Electrical and electronics engineers
- Engineering managers
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- Information systems specialists
- Land surveyors
- Landscape Architects
- Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries
- Metallurgical and materials engineers
- Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers
- Software developers and programmers
- Software engineers and designers
- Urban and land use planners
- Web designers
- Web developers and programmers
In addition, the revised category-based selection criteria for Express Entry drawings were made official by IRCC on May 31, according to Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser. Moreover, on the basis of employment market predictions, conversations with IRCC partners and stakeholders, as well as with provincial and territory governments, the categories were determined. They are given below:
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Strong French-language proficiency
Furthermore, the Canadian government amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022 to make it possible to choose immigrants based on essential characteristics that support Canada’s economic priorities, such as specific work experience to fill labour market gaps or fluency in French, category-based selection draws have been anticipated.
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STEM Express Entry Requirements
Equally important, if you want to be considered for the new category of Express Entry STEM jobs, you should follow all requirements to qualify for one of the Canada Express Entry programmes, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Programme.
Additionally, you should have a minimum of six months’ worth of work experience in one of the following vocations over the course of the last three years. Lastly, follow every other requirement listed in the round’s rules.
Does your CRS score matter?
The Express Entry pool of applicants who satisfy the category requirements will be ranked in the Express Entry, according to the IRCC, and the top applicants will be invited to submit applications for permanent residence. In addition, the CRS score will be used to rank eligible candidates, just like in a standard draw. Besides, the likelihood of receiving an ITA is still highest for those with better scores.
Likewise, a high CRS score is still required to be taken into consideration for the normal all-program or program-specific draws that the IRCC will still hold.
How often will the category-based draw take place?
To sum up, IRCC is not mandated to hold Express Entry draws on a specific schedule or invite a targeted number of candidates for any program or category.
Furthermore, the discretion to conduct draws lies with the Immigration Minister, who is guided by the responsibility to align with Canada’s economic priorities and support for the French language. In other words, the Express Entry STEM draw can occur at any time and for any category.
We hope this article about IRCC sets a Landmark by introducing Express Entry STEM Draw was helpful to you. If you have any queries/questions related to the Canadian immigration programs, please schedule an appointment with us. You’ll get the finest support and guidance from our best lawyers in Angad Immigration, who will ensure your profile is validated as per the suitable immigration programs.
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