Express Entry category based selection: Canada uses category-based Express Entry draws to invite candidates whose profiles match with the country’s economic goals.
Who is eligible
To be eligible for an invitation through a category-based round, you must
- meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including being eligible for 1 of the 3 immigration programs it covers and
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
Categories chosen for 2023
For 2023, IRCC chose these categories:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
French-language proficiency
To be eligible for the French-language proficiency category, you must:
- have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
Healthcare occupations (35 NOC’s)
To be eligible, you must
- have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed in the table below
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations (24 NOC’s)
To be eligible, you must
- have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed in the table below
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
| Architects | 21200 | 1 |
| Architecture and science managers | 20011 | 0 |
| Business systems specialists | 21221 | 1 |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 | 1 |
| Computer and information systems managers | 20012 | 0 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 21311 | 1 |
| Computer systems developers and programmers | 21230 | 1 |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 | 1 |
| Data scientists | 21211 | 1 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 | 1 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 | 1 |
| Engineering managers | 20010 | 0 |
| Industrial and manufacturing engineers | 21321 | 1 |
| Information systems specialists | 21222 | 1 |
| Land surveyors | 21203 | 1 |
| Landscape Architects | 21201 | 1 |
| Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries | 21210 | 1 |
| Metallurgical and materials engineers | 21322 | 1 |
| Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers | 41400 | 1 |
| Software developers and programmers | 21232 | 1 |
| Software engineers and designers | 21231 | 1 |
| Urban and land use planners | 21202 | 1 |
| Web designers | 21233 | 1 |
| Web developers and programmers | 21234 | 1 |
Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.
Trade occupations (10 NOC’s)
To be eligible, you must
- have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed in the table below
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
| Residential and commercial installers and servicers | 73200 | 3 |
| Elevator constructors and mechanics | 72406 | 2 |
| Machine fitters | 72405 | 2 |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
| Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
| Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
| Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
| Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | 2 |
| Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
| Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers | 72014 | 2 |
Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.
Transport occupations (10 NOC’s)
To be eligible, you must
- have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed in the table below
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
| Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors | 93200 | 3 |
| Transport truck drivers | 73300 | 3 |
| Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators | 72604 | 2 |
| Engineer officers, water transport | 72603 | 2 |
| Deck officers, water transport | 72602 | 2 |
| Air traffic controllers and related occupations | 72601 | 2 |
| Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors | 72600 | 2 |
| Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors | 72404 | 2 |
| Railway carmen/women | 72403 | 2 |
| Managers in transportation | 70020 | 0 |
Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.
Agriculture and agri-food occupations (3 NOC’s)
To be eligible, you must
- have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed in the table below
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
| Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services | 82031 | 2 |
| Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors | 82030 | 2 |
| Butchers- retail and wholesale | 63201 | 3 |
Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.
Need to Apply Canada Express Entry Category Based Selection?
To find out if you’re eligible for immigration to Canada, simply complete our free assessment! A member of the Expressway Immigration Team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options!
Visit us today to know your eligibility to qualify for upcoming Express Entry and PNP draws to obtain Canada PR in a quick time.
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