Category-Based Invites to Express Entry: New opportunities for DLIs and Students

Canada has introduced a new category-based permanent residency pathway aimed at welcoming newcomers with work experience in specific sectors like transportation.

This novel approach by the IRCC is meant to better match current and future Canadian employment deficits through immigration and presents significant implications for international students and Canadian DLIs.

BorderPass can help DLIs align their study programs with labour market gaps and prepare for the IRCC's trusted framework.

How will this affect DLIs and students?

Category-based selections give a competitive advantage to international students studying at DLIs that offer programs in the identified categories. International students who study in these programs, pursue a PGWP, and subsequently obtain relevant Canadian work experience will have a higher likelihood of being selected under Express Entry.

DLIs can effectively market these programs to international students as both having a higher likelihood of obtaining work experience and increasing the likelihood of obtaining PR status—presenting a significant opportunity for promotion and directly increasing the DLI’s attractiveness as a destination to study.

A focus on study programs that directly relate to the named IRCC selection categories is mutually beneficial for both international students and the DLIs.

DLIs would also gain the opportunity to diversify programs pursued by international students. It is well documented that a large portion of international students pursue business-related study programs, which has become a challenge for both DLIs and students alike: for students, post-graduation employment opportunities may be limited by an over saturation of business graduates. For DLIs, non-business study programs can be under attended.

A focus on study programs that directly relate to the named IRCC selection categories is mutually beneficial for both international students and the DLIs. We’ve seen some successful examples of DLIs putting great focus and investment into programs relating to selected categories such as aerospace, which will surely pay dividends in the coming years.

BorderPass data helps align study programs to labour needs

BorderPass can cross-reference DLI study programs with the categories identified by the IRCC to help DLIs promote the value of these programs to the international student community. We help DLIs track and report on their students’ post-graduate work placements to help correlate positive work experience outcomes with IRCC categories—allowing DLIs to demonstrate contributions to closing Canada’s employment deficits contributing to GDP growth for all Canadians.

BorderPass is also able to create meaningful employment pathways for students to ensure they are pursuing work that is not only relevant for PR, but also relevant to their degree. In turn, we hope to reduce the phenomena of underemployment.

Student well-being is an IRCC priority

Creating and tracking better outcomes for international students results in better brand building for DLIs both internationally and with their local communities. Further, it shows strong efforts to support International students during their studies, and enhance post-graduation outcomes.  

These are two named crucial aspects of the IRCC’s proposed framework for trusted DLIs.

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Chat with us today to learn more about how we can help you capture the opportunities presented by category-based selection invitations.