On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled major changes to the Express Entry categories for 2025. The revisions include the addition of a new "Education" category listing five eligible occupations, as well as the removal of the "Transportation" category. Furthermore, IRCC has significantly adjusted the occupational lists across various categories, including Healthcare and STEM, adding and removing numerous occupations to reflect evolving labor market needs within Canada.
"Education" Category Emerges, "Transportation" Category Departs
A key highlight of the changes is the new "Education" category, designed to address Canada's demand for professionals in the education sector. This category includes the following five occupations:
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants (NOC 43100, TEER 3)
- Instructors of Persons with Disabilities (NOC 42203, TEER 2)
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202, TEER 2)
- Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers (NOC 41221, TEER 1)
- Secondary School Teachers (NOC 41220, TEER 1)
This addition reflects the pressing needs within Canada's foundational and special education support systems.
The "Transportation" category has been removed from Express Entry category-based draws. Occupations previously under this category will no longer qualify for priority invitation. While IRCC has not elaborated on this decision, it may be linked to shifting labor requirements within the transportation industry.
Priority Categories Focus on French Language, Healthcare, Trades, and Education
IRCC also announced that for 2025, the priority categories for Express Entry will concentrate on the following four areas:
- French Language Proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
Applicants in these categories will receive preferential consideration when Invitations to Apply (ITAs) are issued through targeted Express Entry draws.
Significant Adjustments to Existing Occupational Lists
In addition to adding and removing categories, IRCC has undertaken substantial revisions to the occupational lists within existing categories. Notably, the "Healthcare" category has been significantly expanded, now renamed "Healthcare and Social Services," and includes eight newly added occupations related to social services, further underscoring Canada's demand for talent in this area. The specific adjustments are as follows:
- Healthcare and Social Services: 8 Occupations Added, 6 Occupations Removed
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): 6 Occupations Added, 19 Occupations Removed
- Trades: 19 Occupations Added, 4 Occupations Removed
- Agriculture and Agri-Food: 2 Occupations Added, 0 Occupations Removed
Healthcare and Social Services Category Adjustment Details
Added Occupations:
- Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians (NOC 32104, TEER 2)
- Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists (NOC 32123, TEER 2)
- Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists (NOC 32111, TEER 2)
- Other Medical Technologists and Technicians (NOC 32129, TEER 2)
- Pharmacists (NOC 31120, TEER 1)
- Pharmacy Technicians (NOC 32124, TEER 2)
- Social and Community Service Workers (NOC 42201, TEER 2)
- Social Workers (NOC 41300, TEER 1)
Removed Occupations:
- Educational Counselors (NOC 41320, TEER 1)
- Instructors of Persons with Disabilities (NOC 42203, TEER 2)
- Kinesiologists and Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment (NOC 31204, TEER 1)
- Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services (NOC 33109, TEER 3)
- Other Practitioners of Natural Healing (NOC 32209, TEER 2)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists (NOC 32200, TEER 2)
STEM Category Adjustment Details
Added Occupations:
- 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)
Removed Occupations:
- Architects (NOC 21200, TEER 1)
- Business Systems Specialists (NOC 21221, TEER 1)
- Computer and Information Systems Managers (NOC 20012, TEER 0)
- Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers and Designers) (NOC 21311, TEER 1)
- Computer Systems Developers and Programmers (NOC 21230, TEER 1)
- Data Scientists (NOC 21211, TEER 1)
- Database Analysts and Data Administrators (NOC 21223, TEER 1)
- Engineering Managers (NOC 20010, TEER 0)
- Information Systems Specialists (NOC 21222, TEER 1)
- Land Surveyors (NOC 21203, TEER 1)
- Landscape Architects (NOC 21201, TEER 1)
- Mathematicians, Statisticians, and Actuaries (NOC 21210, TEER 1)
- Metallurgical and Materials Engineers (NOC 21322, TEER 1)
- Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants, and Program Officers (NOC 41400, TEER 1)
- Software Developers and Programmers (NOC 21232, TEER 1)
- Software Engineers and Designers (NOC 21231, TEER 1)
- Urban and Land Use Planners (NOC 21202, TEER 1)
- Web Designers (NOC 21233, TEER 1)
- Web Developers and Programmers (NOC 21234, TEER 1)
Trades Category Adjustment Details
Added Occupations:
- Contractors and Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Services (NOC 82021, TEER 2)
- Floor Covering Installers (NOC 73113, TEER 3)
- Painters and Decorators (Except Interior Decorators) (NOC 73112, TEER 3)
- Roofers and Shinglers (NOC 73110, TEER 3)
- Concrete Finishers (NOC 73100, TEER 3)
- Other Technical Trades and Related Occupations (NOC 72999, TEER 2)
- Water Well Drillers (NOC 72501, TEER 2)
- Electrical Mechanics (NOC 72422, TEER 2)
- Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (NOC 72401, TEER 2)
- Bricklayers (NOC 72320, TEER 2)
- Cabinetmakers (NOC 72311, TEER 2)
- Gas Fitters (NOC 72302, TEER 2)
- Industrial Electricians (NOC 72201, TEER 2)
- Sheet Metal Workers (NOC 72102, TEER 2)
- Machinists and Machining and Tooling Inspectors (NOC 72100, TEER 2)
- Home Building and Renovation Managers (NOC 70011, TEER 0)
- Construction Managers (NOC 70010, TEER 0)
- Cooks (NOC 63200, TEER 3)
- Construction Estimators (NOC 22303, TEER 2)
Removed Occupations:
- Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers (NOC 73200, TEER 3)
- Elevator Constructors and Mechanics (NOC 72406, TEER 2)
- Machine Fitters (NOC 72405, TEER 2)
- Contractors and Supervisors, Other Construction Trades, Installers, Repairers and Servicers (NOC 72014, TEER 2)
Agriculture and Agri-Food Category Adjustment Details
Added Occupations:
- Contractors and Supervisors, Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance and Horticulture Services (NOC 82031, TEER 2)
- Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors (NOC 82030, TEER 2)
Rationale Behind Category Settings
IRCC has stated that the Express Entry categories are designed based on Canada's economic and demographic objectives, aiming to address critical labor shortages. The French language category reflects Canada's commitment to bilingualism and promoting French outside of Quebec.
Impact on Potential Immigrants
These adjustments to the Express Entry categories will directly impact the choices of potential immigrants. Applicants should closely monitor the updated occupational lists and choose the most suitable immigration category based on their individual circumstances. The new "Education" category provides new opportunities for professionals in that field, while the changes to existing categories may affect the eligibility of some applicants.
Future Outlook
IRCC has indicated its commitment to continuously adjusting the Express Entry categories in response to changes in the Canadian labor market and national development goals, ensuring that the immigration system continues to effectively serve Canada's economic and social progress.
