Top In-Demand Jobs for Express Entry Selection
Top Occupations to Receive an Express Entry–Aligned Provincial Nomination in 2025-26
Canada’s provinces and territories regularly review their labour needs and use Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to bring in skilled professionals who can fill critical shortages. While all provinces welcome a broad range of talent, certain sectors and occupations consistently receive priority attention, especially within Express Entry–aligned (enhanced) PNP streams.
Why Priority Occupations Matter for Enhanced PNP Streams
- 600 CRS points added to your Express Entry score
- A guaranteed Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next federal draw
- Faster processing times compared to base PNP routes
Understanding your alignment with provincial needs is key to maximizing your success.
Priority Sectors Across Canada: A High-Level Overview
| Province / Territory | Sectors Provincial Governments Are Prioritizing |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Agriculture, Aviation, Construction, Health Care, Technology, Law Enforcement |
| British Columbia | Childcare, Construction, Health Care, Technology, Veterinary Care |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Health Care, ICT, Aquaculture |
| Nova Scotia | Health Care & Social Assistance, Construction |
| Ontario | Health Care, Child Care, and other sectors highlighted through draw trends |
| Prince Edward Island | Child Care, Health Care, Trades |
| Saskatchewan | Health Care, Technology, Agriculture, Trades |
| Northwest Territories | Not specified; TEER 0–3 occupations remain eligible |
| Yukon | Regulated Health Care Professions |
This broad overview demonstrates how strongly the provinces are focusing on sectors tied to essential services, infrastructure development, technology innovation, and long-term demographic needs.
Understanding the NOC System Within PNP Selection
Having your NOC properly matched is crucial because provinces consistently use NOC codes to screen candidates and identify who fits within their priority sectors.
Province-by-Province Breakdown of Priority Sectors and Eligible Streams
Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
Alberta continues to target a diverse range of sectors, reflecting its broad economic landscape and its commitment to supporting both traditional industries and emerging fields. The province uses several specialized pathways to invite Express Entry candidates whose occupations correspond to ongoing labour market gaps.
Priority Sectors and Relevant Streams:
| Sector | Express Entry–Aligned Stream |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Alberta Express Entry |
| Aviation | Alberta Express Entry |
| Construction | Alberta Express Entry |
| Health Care | Dedicated Health Care Pathway |
| Technology | Accelerated Tech Pathway |
| Law Enforcement | Law Enforcement Pathway |
The province has not listed specific occupations within agriculture, aviation, or construction, indicating that a wide range of roles in these industries may be considered depending on employer demand. However, Alberta has specified only three occupations under its law enforcement pathway:
- Commissioned police officers (NOC 40040)
- Police investigators (NOC 41310)
- Police officers, except commissioned (NOC 42100)
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
British Columbia remains one of the most active provinces in terms of regular draws, frequently issuing invitations to candidates whose backgrounds match its priority sectors. The province emphasizes occupations that support childcare systems, construction expansion, healthcare services, and the growth of the tech industry.
| Sector | Eligible Express Entry Stream |
|---|---|
| Childcare | Skilled Worker |
| Construction | Skilled Worker |
| Health Care | Express Entry BC – Health Authority; Skilled Worker |
| Technology | Skilled Worker |
| Veterinary Care | Skilled Worker |
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
New Brunswick is directing its immigration efforts toward strengthening its education system, expanding healthcare capacity, and meeting construction demands. Although the province has not released a detailed list of which specific jobs are prioritized in these sectors, any TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 role within them is treated as potentially eligible for provincial nomination.
| Sector | Express Entry–Linked Streams |
|---|---|
| Education | Employment in NB Pathway; NB Interests |
| Health Care | Employment in NB Pathway; NB Interests |
| Construction | Employment in NB Pathway; NB Interests |
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
Newfoundland and Labrador continues to make targeted efforts to attract professionals in sectors that are vital to the province’s economy, particularly healthcare, aquaculture, and the ICT sector. All priority-sector occupations under these categories receive expedited assessment through the Express Entry Skilled Worker Stream.
| Sector | Express Entry Stream |
|---|---|
| Health Care | Express Entry Skilled Worker |
| ICT | Express Entry Skilled Worker |
| Aquaculture | Express Entry Skilled Worker |
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
Nova Scotia has long focused on strengthening its healthcare and construction industries, especially considering the province’s aging population and ongoing infrastructure development. The province uses several Express Entry–linked pathways, each designed to meet a different segment of its workforce needs.
| Sector | Express Entry Stream |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | Labour Market Priorities; Labour Market Priorities for Physicians; Experience: Express Entry |
| Construction | Labour Market Priorities; Experience: Express Entry |
- General practitioners (31102)
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100)
- Specialists in surgery (31101)
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
Ontario remains highly responsive to labour market changes and uses Express Entry–aligned draws strategically to target candidates from sectors experiencing pressure. While the province does not publish an exhaustive list of priority occupations, draw patterns throughout the year indicate strong and consistent demand for healthcare and childcare professionals.
| Sector | Relevant Streams |
|---|---|
| Health Care | Human Capital Priorities; French-Speaking Skilled Worker |
| Child Care | Human Capital Priorities; French-Speaking Skilled Worker |
For the French-speaking Skilled Worker stream, candidates must meet specific language requirements: CLB 6 in English and CLB 7 in French.
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
Prince Edward Island tends to prioritize candidates already living and working in the province; however, it also focuses heavily on key sectors such as childcare, healthcare, and skilled trades. The PEI Express Entry pathway is the main entry route for candidates in these sectors.
| Sector | Express Entry Stream |
|---|---|
| Child Care | PEI Express Entry |
| Health Care | PEI Express Entry |
| Trades | PEI Express Entry |
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
Saskatchewan maintains several sector-specific pathways, with strong emphasis on healthcare, technology, agriculture, and skilled trades. The province has set clear targets for its nomination allocation: 75% of nominees must already be working inside Canada, while the remaining 25% will be selected from outside the country.
| Sector | Relevant Streams |
|---|---|
| Health Care | Health Talent Pathway; Saskatchewan Express Entry; Saskatchewan Experience |
| Technology | Tech Talent Pathway; Saskatchewan Express Entry; Saskatchewan Experience |
| Agriculture | Saskatchewan Express Entry |
| Trades | Saskatchewan Express Entry |
Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
Yukon Nominee Program
Yukon’s immigration strategy is centred on attracting skilled professionals in regulated healthcare occupations, especially considering the territory’s remote location and the consistent need for trained health workers.
| Sector | Express Entry Stream |
|---|---|
| Health Care | Yukon Express Entry |
For 2025, Yukon will prioritize candidates who meet one or more of the following conditions:
- Lived and worked in the territory for at least a year
- Graduated from Yukon University
- Are francophone or French-speaking
- Hold a Temporary Measure Letter of Support
8. Becoming an Au Pair or Living With a French-speaking Host Family
Step 1: Check the Official IRCC Processing Times
IRCC routinely updates processing times. Check the posted average timelines against your application category.
Why this matters:
Too many applicants panic too early. If you are still within the normal window, IRCC will not respond to inquiries.
Step 2: Monitor your IRCC online account frequently.
- Requests for additional documents
- Biometric reminders
- Medical exam messages
- Approval or rejection updates
Remaining Calm While Your File Is in Process
- Keep all correspondence in one folder
- Track your timelines
- Keep copies of all the uploaded documents
- Set reminders for passport renewal or medical expiry
- Avoid frequent status checks that create panic.
Revised Fund of Settlement Amount for RCIP & FCIP
| Family Size | Minimum Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $10,507 |
| 2 | $13,080 |
| 3 | $16,080 |
| 4 | $19,524 |
| 5 | $22,143 |
| 6 | $24,975 |
| 7 | $27,806 |
| Each additional member | $2,831 |
How to Get an LMIA: What Employers Need to Know
LMIA Application Process:
Step 1: Submit Application to ESDC
Employers or the company should first open the job in Canada by advertising through various portals and make genuine efforts to recruit domestically. This should be for four weeks at least. They also have to provide details about job duties, wages, and employment conditions, along with the required processing fee.
Step 2: Wait for the LMIA Decision
Step 3: Share LMIA with the Worker
Maximizing Your Chances for a Provincial Nomination
