Draws based on health care and social services category

By 2025, pharmacists, social workers and dental hygienists will have an increased chance of obtaining permanent residency in Canada thanks to the updated health care and social service category that includes new occupations in this area of work, according to Canada's Comprehensive Classification System (CRS).

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Today we will talk about the Health category of the Express Entry system, one of the most relevant categories for foreign professionals who wish to contribute to the health sector in Canada and obtain permanent residency. Read to the end and find out if you are eligible to participate in the Express Entry system through this expanded category. Let's get started!

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More opportunities in Express Entry for the health sector

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The health sector is one of the fundamental pillars for the well-being and development of any society. Canada, as a country with high standards in health care, is especially interested in attracting professionals and technicians who can contribute to the efficiency and quality of its health care system through Express Entry.

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The expanded Health Care and Social Services category has undergone significant modifications to include a greater number of eligible occupations that increase the chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada in the regular Express Entry draws. 

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What are the new occupations for the health sector category?

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The new occupations are related to the real demands of the Canadian labor market in the long term. Some of them are:

• Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: professionals who ensure the correct dispensing and handling of medicines.

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• Diagnostic and laboratory technicians: including medical technologists, radiology and sonography specialists.

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• Direct Care and Support Professionals: such as nurses, nursing assistants and social workers who complement comprehensive health care.

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• Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians.

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• Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists.

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• Physiotherapists.

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• Psychologists, among others.

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The list of occupations is more extensive. To expand it, you can consult official sources or ask for advice from an Immiland Canada CICC regulated consultant here.

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How do you know if you qualify for the Health category?

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To find out if you qualify, you must first determine if your experience and skills fit within the Health category. This evaluation process is based on two main tools:

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1. The National Occupational Classification (NOC). This is the system that assigns a code to every occupation and
2. the TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) level, which identifies the relevance and type of experience required. 

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For example, if the person interested in qualifying is a pharmacist, they should review NOC code 31120 along with the specific qualification criteria. For other professional occupations in health diagnosis and treatment, NOC code 31209 should be consulted; veterinarians should consult NOC 31103, etc.

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Health professionals have a better chance of immigrating to Canada as long as they have solid experience and meet the requirements of the relevant NOC. Factors such as language proficiency, credential recognition, work experience and NOC eligibility are key to success in the fast-track entry system.

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What are the Canadian immigration requirements for specific occupations?

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In addition to professional experience, the following must be demonstrated to qualify:

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• Education and certifications that support your healthcare experience.

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• Language tests, such as IELTS, Celpip, TEF, TEC, and others. In particular, French language proficiency has become a strategic differentiating factor to enhance integration in certain regions of Canada.

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• Relevant work experience that meets the specifications of the occupation for which you are applying, this must be at least six months of continuous full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience in a single occupation eligible for the category within the last three years.  

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It is recommended that you check the updated list on the official IRCC website to verify whether your occupation is in the expanded category and what specific requirements you must meet.

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Tips for Express Entry applicants in the Health category

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If you are in the healthcare sector and want to take advantage of the new Express Entry opportunities, here are some practical tips:

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• Update and validate your credentials. Make sure you have documentation to support your experience and education. This includes Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) and validation of professional certifications.

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• Improve your language skills. Proficiency in French is of great value in the system, especially in regions seeking to strengthen the French-speaking presence. Consider taking language courses and exams that can boost your score. See language courses for immigration purposes here.

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• Consult with specialized advisors. Having the guidance of immigration experts can help you structure a robust application strategy and can guide you on how to present your experience, choose the right NOC and maximize your CRS score.

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You can assess your eligibility for the Health category with Immiland Canada. Click on the Free Evaluation button and fill out the form or schedule a consultation with our CICC regulated consultants.

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Remember that the prioritization of the Health 2025 category represents a unique opportunity for health and social service professionals. With the updated list of eligible occupations and a focus on responding to long-term workforce shortages, now is the ideal time to prepare a guided and informed application.

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I hope this topic has been helpful and that you take advantage of the new opportunities in Canada. Thank you very much for reading, see you in the next blog!

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With love,

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Immiland Canada