Express Entry Reform: 37 Occupations That May Benefit from the Proposed High-Wage Occupation Factor
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Canada’s Express Entry system may undergo significant changes as part of ongoing immigration reforms, including the proposed High-Wage Occupation Factor, which would give additional consideration to candidates in occupations considered highly valuable to the Canadian economy.
In this article we focus on the 37 occupations that, according to an analysis by CIC News, may benefit from this proposed factor.
37 Potential Occupations Eligible for the High Wage Occupation Factor
The potential occupations are divided into three groups based on the wage level compared with the national median wage:
- 6 occupations earning more than twice the national median wage
- 15 occupations earning more than 1.5 times the national median wage
- 16 occupations earning more than 1.3 times the national median wage
Occupations Above Twice the National Median Wage
| NOC | Occupation | Category Based Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 20011 | Architecture and Science Managers | STEM |
| 31102 | General Practitioners and Family Physicians | Healthcare |
| 31100 | Specialists in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine | Healthcare |
| 31101 | Specialists in Surgery | Healthcare |
| 31302 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare |
| 00012 | Senior Managers Financial Communications and Other Business Services | Senior Managers |
Occupations Above 1.5 Times the National Median Wage
| NOC | Occupation | Category Based Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 72600 | Air Pilots Flight Engineers and Flying Instructors | Transport |
| 21300 | Civil Engineers | STEM |
| 40042 | Canadian Armed Forces Officers | Not Applicable |
| 70010 | Construction Managers | Trade |
| 82021 | Contractors and Supervisors Oil and Gas Drilling and Services | Trade |
| 21220 | Cybersecurity Specialists | STEM |
| 31110 | Dentists | Healthcare |
| 21310 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers | STEM |
| 21102 | Geoscientists | STEM |
| 31300 | Nursing Coordinators and Supervisors | Healthcare |
| 31120 | Pharmacists | Healthcare |
| 31303 | Physician Assistants Midwives and Allied Health Professionals | Healthcare |
| 31200 | Psychologists | Healthcare |
| 41200 | University Professors and Lecturers | Not Applicable |
| 31103 | Veterinarians | Healthcare |
Occupations Above 1.3 Times the National Median Wage
| NOC | Occupation | Category Based Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 22313 | Aircraft Instrument Electrical and Avionics Mechanics and Inspectors | Transport |
| 31112 | Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists | Healthcare |
| 32111 | Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists | Healthcare |
| 31121 | Dietitians and Nutritionists | Healthcare |
| 41221 | Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers | Education |
| 21321 | Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers | STEM |
| 72201 | Industrial Electricians | Trade |
| 21301 | Mechanical Engineers | STEM |
| 32122 | Medical Sonographers | Healthcare |
| 31203 | Occupational Therapists | Healthcare |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists | Healthcare |
| 31301 | Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses | Healthcare |
| 32103 | Respiratory Therapists Clinical Perfusionists and Cardiopulmonary Technologists | Healthcare |
| 41220 | Secondary School Teachers | Education |
| 00015 | Senior Managers Construction Transportation Production and Utilities | Senior Managers |
| 00014 | Senior Managers Trade Broadcasting and Other Services | Senior Managers |
Final Occupation List Has Not Been Announced
The High-Wage Occupation Factor is still a proposed reform and has not yet been officially implemented.
IRCC is expected to provide further details regarding:
- Eligible occupations
- How additional points or consideration will be applied
- Implementation timeline
- The relationship with existing category-based selection
Express Entry has continued to evolve in recent years, including the introduction of category-based selection and changes to priority occupations.
Candidates planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence should continue monitoring official announcements and consider how future changes may affect their immigration strategy.
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If you are wondering whether you have a chance for permanent residence with your current occupation and skills, or if you should act immediately before the rules change, please consult our professionals before worrying on your own.
At Shiraishi Visa JP Canada, our government authorized immigration consultants accurately grasp the latest IRCC trends and propose the optimal permanent residence and visa application route tailored to your individual work history and circumstances. Please feel free to contact us first.
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Yuki Shiraishi
Born in Japan. After earning a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, she worked for six years in New York as a marketing consultant at a major travel agency, while also studying in an MBA program at the City University of New York. After returning to Japan, she managed the visa center of the same travel company, handling various international visa applications for foreign clients.
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