2025 Express Entry System, discussions include the introduction of a new category.

include the introduction
Consultation on Future of Express Entry System

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is actively seeking public feedback to shape the future of its Express Entry system for 2025. From June 27 to July 28, 2024, stakeholders are invited to provide input on potential adjustments aimed at aligning immigration selections with Canada’s economic and social goals. Notably, discussions include the introduction of a new category focused on addressing shortages in the education sector, specifically targeting early childhood educators and teachers.

Strategic Initiatives and Stakeholder Engagement

IRCC engages with various stakeholders to explore strategic initiatives and potential adjustments within the Express Entry system. These engagements do not guarantee immediate revisions but provide insights into the agency’s considerations for future developments.

Public Consultation on Economic Priorities

In order to learn more about strategic initiatives, including the categories it employs, IRCC also surveys a subset of organizations. These are not documents intended for public consumption, nor do they imply that revisions will be made. However, they do shed light on the many strategies the IRCC is thinking about.

A survey launched by IRCC seeks public input on economic priorities for the 2025 Express Entry draws. Key focuses include addressing labour shortages in critical industries like health, STEM, trades, transportation, agriculture, agri-food, and education. Additionally, the consultation emphasises boosting Francophone immigration outside Quebec and meeting emerging labour needs in sectors such as natural resources and new technologies.

Background on Express Entry System

Since its inception in 2015, the Express Entry system has evolved to manage applications under various federal programs. Recent updates include the implementation of category-based invitation draws in 2023, which are set to continue into 2025.

In 2023, the IRCC introduced a new method for selecting Express Entry candidates: “category-based” invitation draws. In 2024, Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the same categories would be invited and there would be no changes. Public discussions have now begun by the IRCC in order to review current categories and create a new category for 2025 category-based Express Entry draws. Following these public consultations, the IRCC may decide to discontinue the current categories or maintain them in response to feedback.

Potential Changes for 2025

IRCC is considering adjustments to existing categories and the addition of new categories for the 2025 Express Entry draws. The agency aims to solicit feedback on maintaining or modifying current occupation-based categories to better align with Canada’s evolving economic needs.

The IRCC has released a survey to gather public input on the economic priorities and categories under consideration for the 2025 Express Entry draws. The survey highlights several key areas of focus: addressing long-term labor market shortages in specific occupations such as health, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, agri-food, and education; supporting economic growth through increased Francophone immigration outside of Quebec; and meeting emerging labor needs in Canada’s key industries and sectors, including natural resources, new technologies, and applied sciences. This feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the categories and ensuring they align with Canada’s economic and demographic goals.

The primary goal is to assess whether to maintain or eliminate any of the current occupation-based categories for 2025.

Proposed New Category: Education Sector

One notable proposal is the inclusion of an education category in the 2025 Express Entry draws. Occupations under consideration include elementary school teachers, educational counsellors, and early childhood educators, reflecting efforts to address critical shortages in this field.

  • Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221)
  • Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100)
  • Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202)
  • Secondary school teachers (NOC 41220)
  • Educational counsellors (NOC 41320)
  • Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 42203)

In addition to the education sector, the survey suggests that occupations in natural resources, new technologies, and applied sciences might also be included. Examples from these industries include:

  • Clean/green technology and quantum computing
  • Biotechnology and biomanufacturing
  • Critical mineral extraction for electric vehicle battery production

These additions aim to address specific labour market needs and support Canada’s economic growth in emerging and critical industries.

Focus on Emerging Labor Needs and Francophone Immigration

The survey highlights IRCC’s commitment to increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec, with targets set at 6%, 7%, and 8% for 2024, 2025, and 2026 respectively. Consultations are currently in progress to determine if keeping a minimum competency level of 7 in French is necessary. In order to ensure successful integration and a positive impact on the economic development of Canada, this discussion aims to match immigration laws with the changing demands of the nation’s communities and labour market.

Strategic Selection of Temporary Residents

In response to Canada’s evolving economic landscape, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is currently evaluating whether to prioritize the selection of temporary residents already in Canada—such as temporary foreign workers and former international students—or focus on bringing in new skilled workers from outside the country. This decision aims to address emerging labor needs across key industries and sectors, supporting Canada’s goal of building a sustainable, strong, and resilient economy. By strategically aligning immigration policies with these priorities, IRCC seeks to enhance workforce diversity, foster innovation, and meet the evolving demands of Canadian employers and communities.

Future Outlook and Participation

Based on the survey responses, it appears unlikely that IRCC will eliminate any categories in 2025. However, there is potential for them to adjust the number of occupations within each category, although the survey does not provide clear intentions in this regard.

In addition, the survey’s discussion of new categories revealed that the IRCC is thinking about utilising category-based selection to target temporary residents who are currently in Canada rather than hiring new qualified workers from abroad.

This is a crucial study that will define the future of Express Entry, Canada’s largest and fastest economic immigration route.

The survey did inquire about the effectiveness of targeting skilled workers proficient in French. Considering IRCC’s goal to raise Francophone immigration outside Quebec to 8% by 2026, it suggests that French language proficiency is likely to remain a key criterion in the category list.

The ongoing consultations and survey responses will shape the direction of Canada’s Express Entry system, impacting immigration policies and economic strategies. Participation in the survey is encouraged to influence decisions that will define Canada’s economic immigration landscape.

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