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Category-Based Selection
A Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence
Table of Contents
What Is Category-Based Selection Under Express Entry?
The Express Entry system in Canada features category-specific selection rounds whereby the government can extend invites to people who have certain skills, qualifications, or experience in jobs that are in high demand in Canada.
The category-specific invitations supplement the standard Express Entry draws and enable the country to solve labor shortages in critical industries while growing its economy in the long run. Candidates who meet the criteria set out in one of the categories will be invited to apply for permanent residency.
How Category-Based Draws Work
For you to be eligible for selection under a category-specific draw, you first have to meet the criteria required for the following Canadian immigration programs in the Express Entry system, among others:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Besides being eligible for these immigration programs, candidates have to meet the criteria set out for the specific category.
Key Express Entry Categories
Canada currently conducts category-based draws for candidates who demonstrate expertise in priority occupations and sectors.
Healthcare and Social Services
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| General Practitioners and Family Physicians | 31102 |
| Specialist Physicians | 31100, 31101 |
| Dentists | 31110 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses | 31301 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 31302 |
| Physiotherapists | 31202 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 |
| Social Workers | 41300 |
| Social and Community Service Workers | 42201 |
| Medical Laboratory Technologists | 32120 |
Education Occupations
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers | 41221 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 41220 |
| Early Childhood Educators and Assistants | 42202 |
| Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants | 43100 |
| Instructors of Persons with Disabilities | 42203 |
Skilled Trades Occupations
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) | 72200 |
| Industrial Electricians | 72201 |
| Plumbers | 72300 |
| Carpenters | 72310 |
| Welders and Related Machine Operators | 72106 |
| Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics | 72401 |
| Construction Managers | 70010 |
| Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights) | 72400 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | 72102 |
| Roofers and Shinglers | 73110 |
STEM Occupations
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Software Engineers and Designers | 21231 |
| Software Developers and Programmers | 21232 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 20012 |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 21301 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineers | 21310 |
| Cybersecurity Specialists | 21220 |
| Data Scientists | 21211 |
| Computer Systems Developers and Programmers | 21230 |
| Engineering Managers | 20010 |
French-Language Proficiency
This category does not come with specific NOC requirements for occupations. The Candidates qualify only on the basis of knowing French, normally at a minimum level determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the time of the draw.
Additional Priority Categories
Transport Occupations
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Transport Truck Drivers | 73300 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors | 72404 |
| Railway Traffic Controllers and Marine Traffic Regulators | 72604 |
| Air Pilots, Flight Engineers and Flying Instructors | 72600 |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Butchers – Retail and Wholesale | 63201 |
| Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters | 94141 |
| Contractors and Supervisors, Landscaping | 82031 |
| Agricultural Service Contractors | 82030 |
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a draw based on categories, the applicants will have to meet the following criteria:
- Eligibility criteria of the respective Express Entry program.
- Possess qualifying work experience in a particular profession.
- Language requirements of the category, if applicable.
- The Express Entry profile must be active.
- All other criteria as specified by the ministerial instructions for that draw.
Discover Your Express Entry Eligibility with Neximm Visa
Understanding whether your occupation falls under a priority category is an important step in planning your Canadian immigration journey. Our team can assess your profile, identify suitable Express Entry pathways, and guide you through every stage of the application process.
FAQs
1. What are the four categories of immigrants?
Immigrants can be broadly categorized into four major types depending on the motive behind their migration: Economic Migrants (migrate due to work or business reasons), Family-Sponsored Immigrants (migrate to join family members), Refugees (migrants seeking refuge due to persecution or war), and Humanitarian/Other Migrants (migrants who come to the country on humanitarian grounds or otherwise).
2. Can I apply for two PR programs at the same time?
Yes. You can apply for more than one PR program at the same time.
3. How long does it take to get Canadian citizenship after PR?
To be eligible for Canadian citizenship, you must first hold permanent resident status and have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years). This requirement is assessed based on the five-year period immediately preceding the date of your citizenship application.