IRCC invites 1,500 Express Entry candidates for category-based selection in healthcare occupations, with a minimum CRS score of 463, the lowest in 2023.
IRCC announced a category-based draw for 1,500 healthcare workers, followed by the first-ever draw on June 28. Today's draws follow the first-ever invitations for STEM candidates on July 5. IRCC also invited 700 candidates in an all-program draw with a minimum CRS score of 511.
Healthcare occupations dominate the six new categories, with 35 eligible positions. These include audiologists, chiropractors, dentists, dieticians, nutritionists, education counsellors, general practitioners, instructors, kinesiologists, massage therapists, medical laboratory assistants, medical technologists, sonographers, nurse aides, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, osteometrists, assisting occupations, natural healing practitioners, and other technical occupations. Immigrants make up 23% of registered nurses, 36% of registered physicians, and 54% of dental technologists in Canada. The country relies on immigration to fill labor force gaps, with 153,000 vacant positions in health care and social assistance in April 2023.
Canada's Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced new categories for Express Entry draws, following a June 2022 amendment. These categories include healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture, and strong French-language proficiency. The selection was based on labor market projections and discussions with IRCC partners and provincial and territorial governments.