For 2025, Canada has made many important changes to its Canada Express Entry system, removing one category and instead added a new one. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made public these changes on February 27, 2025, they made sure to improve Canada's immigration policy to include changing labor market demands.
Key Changes in Express Entry 2025
- A new Education category has been introduced, listing five occupations.
- The Transport category has been removed.
- Several occupations have been added to the Healthcare and Social Services category.
The priority categories for Express Entry in 2025 are:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
These categories will receive priority for Invitations to Apply (ITA) in category-based draws under the Express Entry system.
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Detailed Changes in Express Entry Categories
| Category Name | Occupations Added | Occupations Removed |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Services | 8 | 6 |
| Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) | 0 | 19 |
| Trade | 19 | 4 |
| Agriculture and Agri-food | 2 | 0 |
Healthcare and Social Services: Added & Removed Occupations
| 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 |
Removed from Healthcare and Social Services:
- 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: Removed Occupations
| 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 |
| Data scientists | 21211 | 1 |
| Software developers and programmers | 21232 | 1 |
Trade: Added & Removed Occupations
Added to Trade Category:
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- Bricklayers
- Cabinetmakers
- Industrial electricians
- Gas fitters
- Machinists, machining, and tooling inspectors
- Construction managers
Removed from Trade Category:
- 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: Added 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 |
New Education Category
| 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 |
How Are Express Entry Categories Determined?
Based on Canada's demographic and economic interests, the IRCC establishes the Express Entry categories. They made sure that applicants who were eligible could fill critical work tasks, the majority of categories focus on industries that have labor shortages.
Adding to that, Canada gives importance to bilinguals and it is upheld by the French-language category that has to be proficient, since it promotes the French language outside of Quebec through the Official Languages Act.
Implications for Applicants for Express Entry
- You might be more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if you work in the trade, social services, healthcare, or education sectors.
- You may need to look into alternative immigration routes if your profession was excluded from the STEM or Trade categories.
- In Express Entry drawings, applicants who fall under the French-language proficiency group will still have an advantage.
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How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help
It may be challenging to deal with Express Entry changes. Professional immigration guidance can be obtained from Visa Solutions 4u to guide applicants through the following: Assess the ability for category-based draws.
- Improve Express Entry scores through customized strategies.
- Prepare application materials based on the latest IRCC guidelines.
- Stay updated on real-time changes in immigration legislation.
- If their occupation was removed from the list of qualifying trades, research alternative prospects.
- Through individualized assistance, Visa Solutions 4u assures a smooth and efficient immigration process, helping the candidates acquire Permanent residence in Canada.
In summary
With the removal of transportation from category-based draws and emphasis placed on education, healthcare, trades, and social services, the 2025 Express Entry amendments are a dramatic shift in the immigration policy of Canada. Applicants need to keep themselves updated and adjust their immigration strategy based on the establishment of new employment categories and the discontinuation of others. If you
If you are planning to apply for Canada PR through Express Entry, understanding these updates is crucial for a successful application.
