Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the first rounds of category-based invitations to apply for permanent residency via Express Entry for health workers and STEM professionals.
The first round of category-based selection, on June 28, 2023, invited 500 health workers, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and optometrists. A second round, inviting 1,500 health workers to apply, will take place on July 5, 2023.
The first round of category-based invitations for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals will also take place on July 5, 2023, and will be issued to data scientists, software developers and programmers, mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries, and electrical and electronics engineers, among others.
On May 31, 2023, IRCC announced that, for the first time, invitations could be issued to candidates in particular fields or with specific skills, training, or language ability.
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.