Express Entry rounds of invitations: Category-based selection

In category-based rounds of invitations, we invite candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for a specific category established by the Minister to meet an identified economic goal. We invite candidates to apply for permanent residence based on criteria such as:
  • ability to communicate in a specific official language
  • work experience in a specific occupation
  • education
Candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination
We’ll continue to invite candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination through general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds. These candidates have demonstrated they have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the province or territory’s economy.
Step-by-step guide to category-based selection in Express Entry
This step-by-step guide shows how category-based selection differs from the current Express Entry process and which steps are the same
  • Show your interest Create an online Express Entry profile in your IRCC secure account.
  • We place you in the Express Entry pool If you’re eligible for one of the programs under Express Entry (federal skilled worker class, federal skilled trades class or Canadian experience class) we’ll place you in the Express Entry pool.
  • Check your Comprehensive Ranking System score While your Express Entry profile is in the pool, we’ll assign you a score based on your points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). You can view your score in your IRCC account.
  • We identify candidates eligible for a category We identify candidates in the pool, based on their profile, who are eligible for a specific category the Minister established.
  • We rank your Express Entry profile We rank eligible candidates based on their CRS score.
  • Apply for permanent residence If you receive an invitation to apply, you have 60 days to submit an application for a specific program in Express Entry.
  • We make a decision on your application We make a decision based on program eligibility, the accuracy of the information in your profile, category eligibility and whether you’re admissible to Canada.
Check My Eligibility
Our services cater to a wide range of professionals seeking to immigrate to Canada, including :

Education occupations

  • Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
  • Instructors of persons with disabilities
  • Early childhood educators and assistants
  • Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
  • Secondary school teachers
  • Secondary school teachers
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Top professions needed

Healthcare Professions

  • Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • Physicians (specialists and general practitioners)
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Medical laboratory technologists
  • Pharmacists
  • Dentists
  • Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
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Trade occupations

  • Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
  • Floor covering installers
  • Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • Painters and decorators (eRoofers and shinglersxcept interior decorators)
  • Other technical trades and related occupations
  • Concrete finishers
  • Water well drillers
  • Electrical mechanics
  • Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
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