Canada is prepared to overhaul how Express Entry candidates are selected in the first quarter of 2023 and beyond.
Starting in 2023, Express Entry drawings will be conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with candidates being invited based on particular qualities rather than their aggregate CRS score.
Bill C-19, which was approved by both chambers of government on June 23 and obtained Royal Assent, made it feasible for the anticipated modifications to Express Entry. The Bill gives the immigration minister the power to extend invitations to applicants who possess any desirable skills or qualifications.
In a June 2017 interview with CIC News, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser stated that the modifications to Express Entry would assist Canada to choose immigrants who are already well-positioned for economic success.
Even though Express Entry already gives Canada a competitive edge, the minister indicated there is still an opportunity for improvement.
"Where [the Express Entry system] could be enhanced is right now, if there are specific difficulties your economy is currently experiencing, it might have long-term difficulties. We are unable to modify the invites to apply through the Express Entry system to take into account certain in-demand credentials or talents, according to Fraser.
According to IRCC, the Bill will enable Canada to welcome Express Entry applicants on a new basis that would promote a ministerial-identified economic aim.
Those invited who?
The recipients of invitations to apply (ITAs) in targeted draws have not yet been confirmed. In order to determine which candidates to target, the minister declared that he would speak with the provinces, business councils, and other stakeholders.
With the new power granted to the minister, it will be allowed to select which Express Entry applicants to invite based on the most urgent economic requirements and labor shortages.
For instance, one of the most urgent job categories is considered to be healthcare. The sector's overall unemployment rate in October was 6%. The government has been taking steps to fill positions in the industry, including the more recently announced Foreign Credential Recognition Program and easing some restrictions for physicians with international training who are currently in Canada. However, it is conceivable that future Express Entry drawings may favor solely applicants with experience in the healthcare sector in order to fill open positions more quickly.
The system is evolving, but why?
Due to an aging population and a low birth rate, Canada is currently experiencing a labor shortage. It is predicted that nine million Canadians will reach the retirement age of 65 by 2030, yet there are not enough younger Canadians to fill their positions, leading to a significant number of job vacancies that will be difficult to fill. Canada's workforce and economy rely on immigration to remain stable.
The immigration levels plan 2023–2025 aims to admit up to 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2025 in order to support maintaining and expanding the workforce. Over 110,000 of them will be accepted under Express Entry programs.
How is Express Entry implemented?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class are the three economic immigration categories that the Express Entry application management system aims to expedite processing for skilled workers (CEC).
Candidates have been chosen to get ITAs since the launch of the Express Entry application management system in January 2015 solely based on their score inside the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Candidates are assessed according to the CRS based on a variety of criteria, including work experience, education, language skills, and other human capital variables, such as age or whether they have relatives who already reside in Canada. The candidates with the highest overall points have the highest CRS scores and are therefore more likely to be selected in an Express Entry draw. Each criterion is given a certain number of points.
Candidates would still need to meet the requirements for an Express Entry program in targeted drawings, per IRCC. However, receiving an ITA would not depend on a candidate's CRS score. The draws might be customized for applicants with particular qualifications like education, language proficiency, or work experience.