Canada has introduced significant changes to the Express Entry system for 2025, impacting the category-based selection process. The updates include the introduction of a new Education category and the removal of the Transport category. Additionally, several modifications have been made to existing categories, affecting eligible occupations.
Key Changes in the 2025 Express Entry System
On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced updates to the Express Entry program, adjusting the category-based draws to align with labor market needs.
New and Removed Categories
- New Category: Education (with five eligible occupations)
- Removed Category: Transport
IRCC has also expanded the Healthcare category by including various social services occupations, strengthening the workforce in critical healthcare and community services.
Priority Categories for 2025
Although all existing categories remain, IRCC has designated four priority categories for Express Entry draws in 2025:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
Applicants in these categories will have a higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through category-based draws.
Changes in Eligible Occupations for Express Entry Categories
Healthcare and Social Services Category
IRCC has added eight new occupations and removed six from this category.
Added Occupations:
- Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- Other medical technologists and technicians
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacy technicians
- Social and community service workers
- Social workers
Removed Occupations:
- Educational counsellors
- Instructors of persons with disabilities
- Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- Other practitioners of natural healing
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Category
This category has seen six new occupations added and 19 occupations removed.
Added Occupations:
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- Geological engineers
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- Mechanical engineers
- Insurance agents and brokers
Removed Occupations:
- Architects
- Business systems specialists
- Computer and information systems managers
- Computer engineers
- Computer systems developers and programmers
- Data scientists
- Database analysts and data administrators
- Engineering managers
- Information systems specialists
- Land surveyors
- Landscape architects
- Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries
- Metallurgical and materials engineers
- Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers
- Software developers and programmers
- Software engineers and designers
- Urban and land use planners
- Web designers
- Web developers and programmers
Trades Category
A total of 19 occupations have been added, while four occupations have been removed from this category.
Added Occupations:
- Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
- Floor covering installers
- Painters and decorators
- Roofers and shinglers
- Concrete finishers
- Other technical trades and related occupations
- Water well drillers
- Electrical mechanics
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- Bricklayers
- Cabinetmakers
- Gas fitters
- Industrial electricians
- Sheet metal workers
- Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- Home building and renovation managers
- Construction managers
- Cooks
- Construction estimators
Removed Occupations:
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers
- Elevator constructors and mechanics
- Machine fitters
- Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers
Agriculture and Agri-Food Category
Two occupations have been removed from this category:
- Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and horticulture services
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
New Education Category
This newly introduced category includes five occupations:
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- Instructors of persons with disabilities
- Early childhood educators and assistants
- Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- Secondary school teachers
How Are Express Entry Categories Determined?
The IRCC selects Express Entry categories based on Canada’s economic and demographic goals. Most occupation-based categories focus on labor market demands, ensuring industries facing shortages receive skilled workers. The French-language proficiency category supports Canada’s bilingualism policies and helps promote the French language outside Quebec.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the new category introduced in Express Entry 2025?
The Education category has been introduced, allowing skilled professionals in the education sector to apply through category-based draws.
2. Which category has been removed from Express Entry?
The Transport category has been removed from category-based draws in 2025.
3. What are the priority categories for Express Entry in 2025?
The four priority categories for 2025 are:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
4. What changes were made to the Healthcare and Social Services category?
Eight occupations have been added, including pharmacists, social workers, and dental hygienists. Six occupations, including educational counsellors and acupuncturists, have been removed.
5. Why were changes made to the STEM category?
IRCC adjusted the STEM category by adding and removing occupations to align with labor market needs. For example, software engineers and data scientists were removed, while mechanical engineers and geological engineers were added.
6. What changes were made to the Trades category?
Nineteen occupations have been added, such as heavy-duty equipment mechanics and construction managers, while four occupations were removed.
7. How do category-based draws differ from regular Express Entry draws?
Category-based draws target specific occupations or skill sets that align with Canada’s economic needs, whereas regular draws invite candidates with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, regardless of occupation.
8. How does the French-language proficiency category benefit immigrants?
The French-language proficiency category allows francophone immigrants to settle outside Quebec, supporting Canada’s bilingualism policy and strengthening French-speaking communities.
Conclusion
The 2025 Express Entry updates reflect Canada’s evolving labor market needs, prioritizing education, healthcare, trades, and French-speaking immigrants. These changes provide new opportunities for skilled professionals while ensuring Canada’s economic growth.If you are planning to apply for Express Entry, stay updated on IRCC policies and adjust your immigration strategy based on these new category changes.