Canada’s Express Entry system has introduced significant modifications for 2025, impacting immigration pathways for skilled workers. The latest updates include the introduction of a new Education category, an expanded Healthcare category, and the removal of the Transport category. Additionally, certain occupations have been added or removed across various sectors.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s changing.
Introduction of the Education Category
A major update in Express Entry 2025 is the introduction of an Education category, aimed at addressing labor shortages in schools and early childhood education. This category will now be part of Canada’s targeted selection process.
| Eligible Occupations Under the Education Category | NOC Code |
| Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 |
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 |
| Secondary school teachers | 41220 |
This addition highlights Canada’s focus on strengthening its education workforce.
Expansion of the Healthcare Category
The Healthcare category has been expanded, now including social service occupations. While several new professions have been added, some have also been removed.
Newly Added Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Animal health technologists | 32104 |
| Cardiology technologists | 32123 |
| Dental hygienists | 32111 |
| Medical technologists | 32129 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 32124 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 |
| Social workers | 41300 |
Occupations Removed from the Healthcare Category:
- Educational counsellors (NOC 41320)
- Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 42203)
- Kinesiologists and therapy professionals (NOC 31204)
- Other assisting health occupations (NOC 33109)
- Practitioners of natural healing (NOC 32209)
- Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners (NOC 32200)
This adjustment shifts focus toward core healthcare services and social support roles.
Removal of the Transport Category
The Transport category has been eliminated from Express Entry selection. This change means that occupations previously included under this category will no longer receive targeted invitations through category-based draws.
Changes in Other Express Entry Categories
Several adjustments have been made in other Express Entry categories, with certain occupations being added and removed.
STEM Category Updates
Canada has revised its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category under the immigration selection process, adding six new occupations while removing 19 others.
Newly Added Occupations:
The following occupations have been added to the STEM category:
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22300, TEER 2)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22310, TEER 2)
- Geological engineers (NOC 21331, TEER 1)
- Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22301, TEER 2)
- Mechanical engineers (NOC 21301, TEER 1)
- Insurance agents and brokers (NOC 63100, TEER 3)
Occupations Removed:
Canada has removed 19 occupations, including:
- Architects, business systems specialists, computer engineers, software developers, data scientists, and IT managers.
- Engineering managers, land surveyors, urban planners, and metallurgical/materials engineers.
- Web developers, database analysts, and information systems specialists.
Trades Category Adjustments
The Trades category has been expanded, with 19 additional occupations added and four removed.
Newly Added Trade Occupations
| 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 |
Removed Trades Occupations:
- Residential and commercial installers (NOC 73200)
- Elevator constructors and mechanics (NOC 72406)
- Machine fitters (NOC 72405)
- Contractors and supervisors (NOC 72014)
Agriculture and Agri-Food Category Enhancements
Two new occupations have been included in this category:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors | 82030 |
| Landscaping and horticulture services contractors | 82031 |
While this category is not a priority category, the additions support Canada’s agricultural sector needs.
Canada’s Express Entry: Updated Selection Categories for 2025
Canada’s Express Entry system has introduced six category-based selection streams for 2025, prioritizing candidates with in-demand skills. Among these, four categories have been designated as priority categories, receiving higher selection focus in the invitation process.
- Express Entry Categories with Higher Selection Focus: In 2025, four key categories have been identified for higher selection priority, increasing the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency:
- French-Language Proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services
- Trades
- Education (Newly Introduced in 2025)
- Categories with Standard Selection Focus: The remaining two categories, while still part of Express Entry selection, do not receive the same priority focus:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Candidates applying under priority categories have a higher likelihood of receiving ITAs, making it essential for skilled workers in these fields to align their applications accordingly.
What These Express Entry Changes Mean for Candidates
The 2025 updates to Canada’s Express Entry system directly impact immigration candidates across various fields:
- Education professionals now have a clear Express Entry pathway under the new category.
- Healthcare and social service workers benefit from an expanded selection list.
- Trades professionals see increased opportunities due to additional eligible occupations.
- STEM professionals may face challenges as 19 occupations have been removed.
- French-speaking candidates continue to have a competitive advantage.
- Transport workers no longer qualify under category-based draws due to category removal.
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