What Are the Latest Major Changes to Canada’s Express Entry in 2025?

On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant changes to the 2025 Express Entry system.

Understanding these updates is crucial for skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Canada.  

These updates include:

• Introduction of a new category in the Express Entry system
• Modifications to existing categories
• Adjustments to eligible occupations.

Let's explore the key changes and their potential impact on immigrants worldwide.

Introduction of a new category: Education

The new changes to Canada's Express Entry system in 2025 include the introduction of a new category, Education.      
The updated list of Express Entry categories on IRCC's website includes:

The updated list of Express Entry categories on IRCC's website includes:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and Social Service occupations
• Agriculture and Agri-food occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trades occupations
• Education occupations

However, IRCC has prioritized the following categories for Invitations to Apply (ITA) through category-based draws:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and Social Service occupations
• Trades occupations
• Education occupations

Also, IRCC has removed the Transport category from category-based draws.

Which Jobs are Included in the New Education Category?

To address the labour shortages in the education sector, this new category provides a pathway for professionals in these roles to pursue Canadian permanent residency.

Here are the jobs included in the Education category for Express Entry: 

Modifications to existing Express Entry categories

IRCC has introduced significant updates to the Express Entry system, specifically targeting category-based selection.    
While all existing categories have been retained, major adjustments are made to the list of eligible occupations within each category.

Some jobs were added, and others were removed from the existing category. These changes aim to help Canada fill gaps in its workforce and support its economy.

Let's take a look at what jobs were added and removed in each category:

1. Healthcare and Social Services

• 8 new jobs added, including pharmacists, social workers, dental hygienists, and pharmacy technicians.
• 6 jobs removed, such as educational counsellors, instructors of persons with disabilities, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

2. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

• 6 new jobs added, including engineering technologists, mechanical engineers, and geological engineers.
• 19 jobs removed, many of which were tech-related, such as software engineers, data scientists, and web developers.

3. Trades

• 19 new jobs added, including construction managers, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, industrial electricians, and cooks.
• 4 jobs removed, such as elevator constructors and machine fitters.

4. Agriculture and Agri-food

• 2 jobs added, including Contractors and supervisors, Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
• 2 jobs removed.

Adjustments to eligible occupations

Updates of Healthcare and Social Services

The Healthcare and Social Services category under Canada's Express Entry system has undergone significant updates in 2025 to address critical labour shortages in the sector.

Several new occupations are added, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals in healthcare and community services. Canada focuses on strengthening its healthcare system and community support services by inviting skilled professionals to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.

Each occupation is assigned a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and a Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) level to specify eligibility.

Let's explore the newly added occupations along with their NOC codes and TEER levels:  

Updates of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) category

Canada's Express Entry system has introduced significant changes to the STEM category for 2025.   
While the STEM category remains part of the broader Express Entry framework, substantial adjustments are made regarding eligible occupations. Specifically, several key STEM roles have been removed from targeted draws, while a few new occupations have been added.

Here's the list of newly added occupations, along with their NOC codes and TEER levels in the STEM category:

Updates of Trade Category

The Trade category remains a key focus area, with many new occupations added to meet the growing demand for skilled tradespeople.

The expansion aims to bolster Canada's construction, infrastructure, and technical trade sectors by attracting skilled workers worldwide.

Here are the newly added occupations, along with their NOC codes and TEER levels:  
 

Updates to the Agriculture and Agri-Food category

Although this category is not among the prioritized sectors for category-based draws, it has seen some positive developments.

IRCC has added two new occupations to strengthen its agricultural sector, focusing on sustainability and food production. 

Express Entry: Canada’s Gateway for Skilled Workers and Economic Growth

The Express Entry system is a cornerstone of Canada's immigration strategy, and it aims to attract skilled workers who can contribute to its economic growth and demographic goals.

IRCC controls and oversees the Express Entry stream to regulate the number of workers in critical areas within Canada.

Labour market needs, economic goals, and commitments to cultural and linguistic diversity influence the selection of categories.

Occupation-Based Categories

• IRCC chooses most categories to address labour shortages in critical sectors where Canada lacks sufficient workers.
• These categories focus on occupations that require immigration to fill key gaps, ensuring the country's workforce remains competitive and sustainable.

French-Language Proficiency Category

• This category supports Canada's commitment to bilingualism and promoting the French language outside Quebec, as outlined in the Official Languages Act.
• IRCC facilitates the entry of francophone immigrants to strengthen French-speaking communities nationwide.