Express Entry
IRCC Invites 5,900 STEM Professionals in Third Express Entry Draw of the Week
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made a significant move in its latest Express Entry draw by extending invitations to 5,900 candidates. This draw, the third of the week, is distinguished by its focus on candidates with expertise in STEM Professions. In this draw, candidates needed to attain a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481 for consideration.
Express Entry Draws Highlights
This announcement follows the previous day’s draw on December 7th, where 1,000 candidates proficient in French were invited with a CRS of 470. The week commenced with an all-program draw on December 6th, inviting 4,750 candidates with a CRS score of 561.
These draws mark a resumption after a pause of more than a month. The last draw before this hiatus occurred on October 26, drawing 3,600 candidates in a category-based selection for healthcare occupations. On November 14, IRCC acknowledged technical difficulties faced by candidates in uploading final applications to the Express Entry profile builder, resolving the issue within two days.
Eligibility for STEM Occupations Category
To be eligible for consideration under the STEM Occupations category, candidates must meet specific criteria. This includes eligibility:
- In one of the three Express Entry streams: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class.
- Additionally, candidates need a minimum of 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience in the past 3 years, falling under one of the 24 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes specified for the STEM Occupations category.
- Meeting all the requirements outlined in the instructions for the particular round is crucial.
STEM Occupations Invited
The STEM Occupations draw is a part of IRCC’s broader initiative to streamline Express Entry draws through category-based selections. Introduced by former Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser in May, this approach signifies a shift in the immigration landscape. The 24 NOC codes associated with STEM Occupations cover a diverse range:
OCCUPATION NOC CODE 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 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
As of 2022 Q4, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services category had 56,915 job vacancies in Canada. Provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia demonstrated the highest demand for STEM professionals, positioning them as essential contributors to the country’s economic growth.
Shaping the Future with STEM Professionals
IRCC’s commitment to strategic immigration is evident in the focus on STEM Occupations, aligning with the evolving needs of Canada’s labor market. As international candidates with STEM expertise continue to receive invitations, the latest Express Entry draw sets the stage for a promising future, contributing to the nation’s growth and innovation.
