Express Entry Targeted Draw: Canada Invited 500 Candidates on June 28, 2023

Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, made an important announcement regarding the inaugural Healthcare Targeted Express Entry Draw, wherein 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) will be issued for 35 occupations in the healthcare sector.

In addition, Minister Fraser revealed that an additional 1,500 ITAs will be dispatched on July 5, 2023, exclusively aimed at professionals working in these 35 healthcare occupations.

On June 28, 2023, at precisely 14:04:34 UTC, an Express Entry draw was conducted, resulting in the issuance of 500 invitations to apply (ITAs). To be eligible for an invitation, candidates needed to have a rank of 500 or above. The lowest-ranked candidate who received an ITA had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 476.

To ensure fairness in the selection process, a tie-breaking rule was implemented. If multiple candidates had the same CRS score, the tie-breaking date and time were set as November 12, 2023, at 12:47:27 UTC.

The announcement by Minister Fraser focused specifically on the Express Entry program’s skilled newcomers in the healthcare field. The objective was to address the growing demand for skilled professionals within the healthcare sector and cater to the labor needs in that industry.

Government’s Initiative: First Category-Based Express Entry Draw for STEM Occupations

The Honorable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, representing the honorable Minister Sean Fraser, announced the commencement of the first category-based Express Entry draw for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) occupations. This draw is scheduled to take place during the week of July 5.

The purpose of this initiative is to prioritize skilled individuals in the STEM fields within the Express Entry system. By focusing on these high-demand areas, the government aims to support innovation, scientific advancements, and technological growth in Canada.

Recent Announcement on Occupation-Specific Targeted Express Entry Draws

The selection criteria for targeted Express Entry drawings that are specifically aimed toward certain occupations were recently announced by the immigration minister on May 31. While this announcement may pertain to the targeted Express Entry draws for the 35 healthcare occupations or even an expansion of the healthcare-targeted category, it is important to note that this is speculative at this point.

There is also a possibility that the Immigration Minister, in collaboration with the Health Minister, might reveal additional details about the first targeted Express Entry draw specifically for healthcare occupations. However, it is essential to approach this expectation with cautious optimism, as concrete confirmation is yet to be provided.

Eligible Occupations for the Targeted Express Entry Draw

Here is the list of 35 eligible occupations with their respective NOC codes for Express Entry Healthcare targeted draws:

1. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists – 31112
2. Chiropractors – 31201
3. Dentists – 31110
4. Dieticians and nutritionists – 31121
5. Education counselors – 41320
6. General practitioners and family physicians – 31102
7. Instructors of persons with disabilities- 42203
8. Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment – 31204
9. Licensed practical nurses – 32101
10. Massage therapists – 32201
11. Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations – 33101
12. Medical laboratory technologists – 32120
13. Medical radiation technologists – 32121
14. Medical sonographers – 32122
15. Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates – 33102
16. Nurse practitioners – 31302
17. Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors – 31300
18. Occupational therapists – 31203
19. Optometrists – 31111
20. Other assisting occupations in support of health services – 33109
21. Other practitioners of natural healing – 32209
22. Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating – 31209
23. Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment – 32109
24. Paramedical occupations – 32102
25. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants – 33103
26. Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals – 31303
27. Physiotherapists – 31202
28. Psychologists – 31200
29. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses – 31301
30. Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists – 32103
31. Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine – 31100
32. Specialists in surgery – 31101
33. Therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies – 41301
34. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists – 32200
35. Veterinarians – 31103