The Canada Express Entry system is evolving once again in 2025, with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introducing major changes to its category-based selection draws. These updates aim to address labor shortages, demographic shifts, and Canada's bilingual commitments.
One of the most significant changes this year is the introduction of the Education Occupations category, which will provide more opportunities for teachers, early childhood educators, and support staff. Meanwhile, the Transport Occupations category has been removed, signaling a shift in labor market priorities.
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada in 2025, these changes could make or break your Express Entry application. Let’s dive into the details.
These updates will shape Canada’s immigration trends for years to come, making it crucial for candidates to align their profiles with these priorities.
While all categories will continue to operate, IRCC has prioritized four key categories for Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2025:
These categories will see more frequent and targeted draws, giving eligible candidates a higher chance of selection.
The 2025 updates go beyond adding and removing categories—IRCC has fine-tuned the occupation lists within each category to better align with Canada’s workforce needs.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the changes, including newly added and removed occupations.
Canada’s aging population has led to increased demand for healthcare professionals. In 2025, IRCC has added eight new roles to this category, including:
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 | 2 |
| Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 | 2 |
| Dental hygienists and dental therapists | 32111 | 2 |
| Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 | 2 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 | 1 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 32124 | 2 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 | 2 |
| Social workers | 41300 | 1 |
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Educational counsellors | 41320 | 1 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
| Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment | 31204 | 1 |
| Other assisting occupations in support of health services | 33109 | 3 |
| Other practitioners of natural healing | 32209 | 2 |
| Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists | 32200 | 2 |
STEM has seen a significant reduction, with no new occupations added and a whopping 19 removed.
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Architects | 21200 | 1 |
| Business systems specialists | 21221 | 1 |
| Computer and information systems managers | 20012 | 0 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 21311 | 1 |
| Computer systems developers and programmers | 21230 | 1 |
| Data scientists | 21211 | 1 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 | 1 |
| Engineering managers | 20010 | 0 |
| Information systems specialists | 21222 | 1 |
| Land surveyors | 21203 | 1 |
| Landscape Architects | 21201 | 1 |
| Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries | 21210 | 1 |
| Metallurgical and materials engineers | 21322 | 1 |
| Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers | 41400 | 1 |
| Software developers and programmers | 21232 | 1 |
| Software engineers and designers | 21231 | 1 |
| Urban and land use planners | 21202 | 1 |
| Web designers | 21233 | 1 |
| Web developers and programmers | 21234 | 1 |
The removal of tech-heavy roles like software developers and data scientists may indicate sufficient domestic talent or a shift toward other priorities like trades and education.
Trades have been significantly expanded, with 19 new occupations added to address construction and infrastructure demands.
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 | 2 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
| Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
| Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
| Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
| Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
| Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
| Sheet metal workers | 72102 | 2 |
| Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
| Home building and renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
| Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
| Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
| Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Residential and commercial installers and servicers | 73200 | 3 |
| Elevator constructors and mechanics | 72406 | 2 |
| Machine fitters | 72405 | 2 |
| Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers | 72014 | 2 |
Canada is strengthening its agricultural workforce, adding two new occupations:
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and horticulture services | 82031 | 2 |
| Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors | 82030 | 2 |
None removed.
These additions bolster Canada’s agricultural backbone, ensuring sustainability in food production and land management.
The standout update for 2025, the Education category targets professionals shaping the next generation.
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 | 3 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | 2 |
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 | 1 |
| Secondary school teachers | 41220 | 1 |
With Canada facing teacher shortages and a growing student population, this category addresses a critical gap in the education system.
The 2025 Express Entry updates reflect Canada’s strategic approach to immigration, ensuring a balance between economic growth, labor market demands, and cultural priorities.
If you are a teacher looking to leverage the new Education category, a tradesperson exploring expanded opportunities, or a French speaker taking advantage of bilingualism-focused immigration, these changes could be your best chance to secure permanent residency in Canada.
To stay ahead, it’s essential to understand these updates, optimize your Express Entry profile, and align your skills with Canada’s current immigration priorities.
To qualify for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under a category-based Express Entry draw, candidates must:
Meeting these criteria increases your chances of receiving an ITA for Canadian permanent residency.
For instance, a secondary school teacher with a strong CRS score may be prioritized in the Education category draw, while a pharmacist could benefit from a Healthcare category draw.
Understanding how these draws function can help you tailor your application and maximize your chances of selection.
IRCC adjusts Express Entry categories based on key national priorities to ensure that immigration aligns with Canada’s economic and demographic needs. The main factors influencing category selection include:
By understanding these priorities, applicants can strategically align their skills and experience with Canada’s long-term immigration goals.
The 2025 Express Entry changes bring both new opportunities and challenges for applicants across various fields.
For individuals in affected categories, exploring alternative pathways such as provincial nominee programs (PNPs) or employer-sponsored immigration could be beneficial.
The 2025 Express Entry updates emphasize Canada’s commitment to building a strong workforce by prioritizing high-demand occupations and French-speaking immigrants.
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada, the best way to increase your chances of success is to:
Ans: In 2025, IRCC introduced the Education Occupations category under Express Entry. This new category prioritizes teachers, early childhood educators, and educational support staff, addressing the increasing demand for qualified professionals in Canada’s education sector.
Ans: The Transport category was removed due to shifts in labor market priorities. While truck drivers and logistics professionals were previously in high demand, IRCC has decided to focus on other critical workforce gaps such as healthcare, education, and skilled trades. Transport workers can still apply through general Express Entry draws or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Ans: Category-based draws prioritize candidates based on specific occupational and language skills rather than just CRS scores. IRCC ranks applicants in the Express Entry pool, and those in priority categories (Healthcare, Education, Trades, and French-speaking candidates) receive more frequent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Ans: The most in-demand occupations fall under the following priority categories:
Ans: To enhance your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), consider:
To search and compare programs in top universities in the UK and Canada, including popular courses, scholarships, and admission requirements, please click the following link: www.educationplanner.io/programs.
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