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Highlights
1. The first STEM round for category-based selection will be held on July 5th.
2. STEM includes data scientists, software developers and programmers, mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries, and electrical and electronic engineers.
3. Eligible candidates may require prior work experience in or outside Canada and proficiency in English/French.
4. Canada held a category-based Express Entry draw for healthcare workers on the same day of this announcement.
Canada’s Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced that it will hold its first-ever Express Entry draw for STEM professionals in the week of July 5, kick-starting permanent residency obligations to the invited candidates.
The draw will target candidates with experience in 24 different science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations, including data scientists, software developers and programmers, mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries, and electrical and electronics engineers.
Additionally, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the first-ever category-based Express Entry draws, targeting 500 healthcare workers from 35 different occupations.
Category-based selection rounds are expected to continue throughout the year alongside the general invitation rounds.
How to Qualify for Upcoming Category-Based Express Entry Draws?
The Express Entry system is a points-based immigration system that allows Canada to select skilled immigrants who are most likely to succeed in the country.
To be eligible for the STEM draw,
1. Candidates must have at least six months of full-time work experience in one of the eligible occupations,
2. They must also have a valid language test score, and
3. A degree from a recognized Canadian or international university
The cut-off score for the STEM draw is expected to be lower than in previous Express Entry draws. This is because the government is eager to attract as many STEM professionals as possible.
In the recently concluded category-based draw for healthcare workers, the minimum qualifying CRS score was 476.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said, “This new draw is a way for us to attract top talent from around the world and fill the labor shortages that are holding back our economy.”
Canada’s New Tech Talent Strategy
Canadian government’s effort to retain and recruit top candidates to address STEM workforce labor challenges, building on the recent launch of the Tech Talent Attraction Strategy.
It includes a new temporary program for 10,000 H1-B visa holders and their families to qualify for an open work or study permit in Canada for up to 3 years.
It is also focusing to reduce backlogs for the start-up visa and plans to introduce an Innovation Stream to bring talented workers to Canada to help build innovative businesses.
Further, Canada will restore the 14-day work permit processing for Global Skills Strategy applications.
The STEM draw is open to all nationalities. However, candidates from certain countries, such as India, China, and the Philippines, are more likely to be invited to apply. This is because these countries have a large number of STEM professionals who are interested in immigrating to Canada.
If you are a STEM professional who is interested in immigrating to Canada, you should start your Express Entry application now. Connect with CanApprove and find your best options. Contact us now!
