IRCC Announces Significant Changes to Express Entry Categories
IRCC Announces Significant Changes to Express Entry Categories for 2025
In a major update to Canada’s immigration system, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced changes to the Express Entry categories for 2025. The announcement, made on February 27, 2025, introduces a new category, removes an existing one, and modifies the list of priority occupations under category-based draws.
This latest round of invitations required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521. Additionally, candidates had to have created their Express Entry profile on or before 2:52:14 a.m. (UTC) on November 14, 2024, to be considered.
New and Removed Categories
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of the Education category, which includes five specific occupations. Meanwhile, the Transport category has been removed from the list of category-based draws.
Additionally, IRCC has expanded the Healthcare category to include social service occupations, reinforcing the importance of workers in these fields to Canada’s labor market and social infrastructure.
Current Express Entry Categories
As per IRCC’s updated list, the Express Entry categories now include:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services occupations
- Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
However, IRCC has prioritized the following four categories for 2025:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
Candidates in these priority categories will have a higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in category-based draws.
Trends In Express Entry Draws
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Enhanced PNPs (aligned with Express Entry)
- French-language proficiency streams
This strategy aligns with the goals outlined in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, which prioritizes candidates already residing in Canada or those with skills that address critical labor market needs.
Changes to Existing Categories and Occupations
Beyond the introduction and removal of categories, IRCC has also restructured the eligible occupations under existing categories. Several occupations have been added and removed across different fields.
Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
A total of eight new occupations have been added to this category, while six occupations have been removed.
| 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 occupations:
A total of eight new occupations have been added to this category, while six occupations have been removed.
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Educational counsellors | 41320 | 1 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
| Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment | 31204 | 1 |
| Other assisting occupations in support of health services | 33109 | 3 |
| Other practitioners of natural healing | 32209 | 2 |
| Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists | 32200 | 2 |
STEM 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 |
| Computer systems developers and programmers | 21230 | 1 |
| Data scientists | 21211 | 1 |
| Software developers and programmers | 21232 | 1 |
| Web designers, developers, and programmers | 21233, 21234 | 1 |
| Urban and land use planners | 21202 | 1 |
| Land surveyors | 21203 | 1 |
| Engineering managers | 20010 | 0 |
Trades Occupations
Added occupations:
This category saw significant changes, with 19 new occupations added and four removed.
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 | 2 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
| Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
| Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
| Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
Removed occupations:
This category saw significant changes, with 19 new occupations added and four removed.
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Residential and commercial installers and servicers | 73200 | 3 |
| Elevator constructors and mechanics | 72406 | 2 |
| Machine fitters | 72405 | 2 |
| Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers | 72014 | 2 |
Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
This category saw significant changes, with 19 new occupations added and four removed.
| 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 |
The Criteria Behind Express Entry Category Selection
What These Changes Mean for Express Entry Candidates
The latest Express Entry updates emphasize Canada’s shifting labor needs. The removal of the Transport category and significant reductions in the STEM category highlight evolving priorities. Meanwhile, the expansion of the Healthcare category and the introduction of Education occupations signal Canada’s commitment to strengthening essential public services.
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