Changes in the Express Entry system
The Canadian government is planning significant changes to the Canada Express Entry system. The changes will give the immigration minister more flexibility on who can be invited from the Express Entry pool, based on an economic goal. In other words, the amendments, proposed under Bill C-19, will make it possible to conduct draws targeting specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
Currently, the immigration minister does not have the ability to invite candidates from the EE pool who have a particular work experience, or educational credential. If the proposed amendments to division 23 of Bill C-19 are passed, that could change.
On May 19, Philip Somogyvari from IRCC presented the proposed changes to the Standing Committee on Immigration and Citizenship. This committee monitors some federal policies, as well as the immigration department and refugee board.
Somogyvari told the Committee that “the proposed amendments being sought will build upon Express Entry’s existing flexibility and support Canada’s economic recovery and future growth by permitting the department to more easily select candidates that meet a range of economic needs and priorities.” “More specifically, the amendments authorize the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to invite foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry on a new basis.”
“Eligibility requirements to be a member of a category would be established by the minister and could be based on factors such as work experience, educational background or language skills,” Somogyvari said.
<<Also Read: Canada to resume FSWP and CEC invitations in July>>
How will immigration help Canada’s economic growth?
Somogyvari gave an example of using immigration to support the growth of Canada’s technology sector:
“For example, if there was a desire to leverage immigration to support the growth of Canada’s tech sector, a category of Express Entry candidates would be created based on criteria such as their possession of work experience in their sector occupation and/or their possession of a related educational credential. Invitations could then be issued to the top-ranked candidates in that category,” he told the Committee.
The process for determining the selection of the groups is still being developed. The government would likely make such decisions after consultation with stakeholders, Employment and Social Development Canada, provincial and territorial governments, among other entities.
About Express Entry in 2022
Express Entry is an online system that Canada uses to manage applications for permanent residence under 3 programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. Applicants are normally young, highly educated, have some work experience, and know English or French.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently. Applicants in this group are normally licensed plumbers, welders, etc.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): skilled workers who have at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience in a professional capacity.
IRCC has not invited CEC candidates since September 2021. Moreover, we haven’t seen an FSWP draw since December 2020. However, in April 2022, the Minister of Immigration announced that Express Entry draws under the federal high-skilled streams will resume in early July. This includes the: Canadian experience class (CEC), federal skilled worker class (FSWP), and federal skilled trades class (FSTP). IRCC also noted that new applications under these streams will be processed within the 6-month service standard. You can read more about it in the following article:
Relevant Articles
Last but not least, consider reading the following articles:
- Proof of funds for Express Entry 2022
- Minimum Requirements for Express Entry Canada
- Minimum Language Requirements for Express Entry
- Express Entry Points and CRS Calculator
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