Category-based selection for Express Entry
| Feb 27, 2025: IRCC updated the list of category-based draw criteria and associated NOC codes. Click here for the 2025 updates. |
IRCC announced they launched a new process for Express Entry. The highly anticipated announcement follows the changes made to the authorities of the Minister last year. As a result, IRCC can now pick and choose candidates on a category-based selection for Express Entry. Therefore, a high CRS score is not the only factor for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
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How does category-based selection work?
IRCC identifies specific categories every year. They do so by receiving input from their partners and looking at the labour market projections and information. Of course, they may continue regular rounds of invitations or provincial or territorial nomination invitations. However, when it comes to a category-based invitation, IRCC invites candidates from the pool of Express Entry according to the following criteria:
- The candidate meets all the requirements for that specific round of invitations.
- They are among the top-ranking candidates under the selected category.
The 2023 chosen categories
IRCC has decided on six categories for 2023:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
To meet the French-language proficiency category requirements, you must present a valid test result with NCLC 7 or hire under every language skill. Please read my articles on TEF Canada and TCF Canada for more information.
For other categories, you must show at least six months of continuous work experience in the past three years. Of course, they only accept specific NOC codes. However, you must meet all the requirements in the instructions for the round of invitations.
Healthcare occupations NOC codes
IRCC accepts work experience under the following NOC codes to qualify for healthcare occupations.
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists, 31112
- Chiropractor, 31201
- Dentists, 31110
- Dieticians and nutritionists, 31121
- Education counsellors, 41320
- General Practitioners and family physicians, 31102
- Instructors of persons with disabilities, 42203
- Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment, 31204
- Licensed practical nurses, 32101
- Massage therapists, 32201
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations, 33101
- Medical laboratory technologists, 32120
- Medical radiation technologists, 32121
- Medical Sonographers, 32122
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates, 33102
- Nurse practitioners, 31302
- Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors, 31300
- Occupational therapists, 31203
- Optometrists, 31111
- Other assisting occupations in support of health services, 33109
- Other practitioners of natural healing, 32209
- Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating, 31209
- Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment, 32109
- Paramedical occupations, 32102
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants, 33103
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals, 31303
- Physiotherapists, 31202
- Psychologists, 31200
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, 31301
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists, 32103
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine, 31100
- Specialists in surgery, 31101
- Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies, 41301
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists, 32200
- Veterinarians, 31103
Of course, they may change this or the following lists anytime. Consider the lists in this article unofficial.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations NOC codes
The following NOC codes cover the STEM jobs for category-based Express Entry invitations.
- Architects, 21200
- Architecture and science managers, 20011
- Business systems specialists, 21221
- Civil Engineers, 21300
- Computer and information systems managers, 20012
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers), 21311
- Computer systems developers and programmers, 21230
- Cybersecurity specialists, 21220
- Data scientists, 21211
- Database analysts and data administrators, 21223
- Electrical and electronics engineers, 21310
- Engineering managers, 20010
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers, 21321
- Information systems specialists, 21222
- Land surveyors, 21203
- Landscape Architects, 21201
- Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries, 21210
- Metallurgical and materials engineers, 21322
- Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers, 41400
- Software developers and programmers, 21232
- Software engineers and designers, 21231
- Urban and land use planners, 21202
- Web designers, 21233
- Web developers and programmers, 21234
Trade occupations NOC codes
There are not many trades NOC codes, but here are the ones on the 2023 category-based Express Entry list.
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers, 73200
- Elevator constructors and mechanics, 72406
- Machine fitters, 72405
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, 72402
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, 72400
- Carpenters, 72310
- Plumbers, 72300
- Electricians (except industrial and power systems), 72200
- Welders and related machine operators, 72106
- Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers, 72014
Transport occupations NOC codes
These are the codes for transport occupations.
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors, 93200
- Transport truck drivers, 73300
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators, 72604
- Engineer officers, water transport, 72603
- Deck officers, water transport, 72602
- Air traffic controllers and related occupations, 72601
- Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors, 72600
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors, 72404
- Railway carmen/women, 72403
- Managers in transportation, 70020
Agriculture and agri-food occupations NOC codes
The last category-based Express Entry group covers the following occupations:
- Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services, 82031
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors, 82030
- Butchers- retail and wholesale, 63201
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Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
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