Canada has introduced a significant update to its Express Entry system for 2025, introducing a new category for education-related occupations while removing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), transport, and agriculture occupations from targeted draws.
The changes aim to address Canada’s evolving labour shortages and prioritize key sectors such as healthcare, social services, trades, and education.
On This Page You Will Find:
- A summary of Canada’s major changes to Express Entry in 2025
- Key updates to occupation-specific draws and eligibility criteria
- The new focus on education-related occupations and Canadian work experience
- How these changes impact skilled workers and employers
- Steps to apply for Express Entry under the 2025 system
Key Changes in Express Entry for 2025
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the new Express Entry categories for 2025. The latest updates include:
- New category for education occupations, including teachers, child care educators, and instructors for persons with disabilities.
- Healthcare and social services occupations remain a top priority, including family physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, and chiropractors.
- Trades occupations continue to be a focus, targeting skilled professionals such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors.
- French-language proficiency remains a major selection factor to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
These changes reflect Canada’s commitment to aligning immigration with labour market needs, ensuring economic growth and stability while supporting vital industries.
Focus on Canadian Experience Class for Express Entry in 2025
A major shift in the Express Entry system is the increased focus on candidates with Canadian work experience. The government has emphasized that draws in 2025 will primarily invite candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to apply for permanent residence.
This approach ensures that newcomers already integrated into the workforce can transition more easily into permanent status. It also helps businesses retain skilled workers who are already contributing to Canada’s economy.
What Occupation-Based Draws Will Look Like in 2025
Starting in 2025, category-based draws under Express Entry will invite candidates with work experience in the following priority sectors:
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Trades occupations
- Education occupations
- French-language proficiency
This shift marks the removal of three key 2024 categories: STEM occupations, transport occupations, and agriculture and agri-food occupations. While these industries remain important, the federal government is prioritizing sectors with more acute labour shortages.
Changes Align With Immigration Levels Plan
The changes follow a major shift in Canada’s immigration strategy with the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan announced in October 2024, reducing the overall newcomer target from 500,000 to 395,000 for this year.
It also moved to divide the Federal High Skilled Class, through which most Express Entry immigrants come, into two categories: Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus.
The Economic Priorities category – with a target of 41,700 newcomers – focuses on the list of occupations above.
Meanwhile, the In-Canada Focus category is expected to focus on inviting immigrants who are already in Canada on a temporary basis, for example on a work permit. This category has a target of 82,980 newcomers and will major on the Canadian Experience Class program.
Separately, Canada also set a target of 8.5 per cent of newcomers being French-speaking. This proportion represents 29,325 newcomers.
Why Is Canada Changing Express Entry Categories?
The decision to update Express Entry draws stems from Canada’s need to address specific labour shortages while ensuring sustainable economic growth. The education sector, in particular, is facing rising demand for skilled workers, especially in teaching and child care. Similarly, healthcare and social services continue to experience shortages that require targeted immigration solutions.
By shifting its focus, Canada aims to:
- Attract and retain skilled professionals in high-demand sectors.
- Support communities in need of essential services.
- Strengthen its commitment to increasing Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
How These Changes Impact Express Entry Candidates
For prospective immigrants, these changes mean:
- STEM, transport, and agriculture professionals will no longer benefit from targeted Express Entry draws. These candidates will need to rely on general draws or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
- Education professionals now have a clearer pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
- Healthcare, social services, and trade workers remain in high demand, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Francophone candidates continue to have strong opportunities for immigration to Canada, as the government seeks to boost French-speaking communities outside Quebec.
How Express Entry Works Under the New System
The Express Entry system remains Canada’s primary economic immigration pathway. It manages applications for three major programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Plus parts of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Candidates enter the Express Entry pool and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Those who meet the requirements for category-based draws will have additional opportunities to be invited.
What This Means for Employers and Businesses
Employers in the healthcare, trades, and education sectors can expect greater support from Canada’s immigration system. With a more focused approach, businesses struggling with labour shortages in these areas will benefit from a steady stream of skilled immigrants.
Meanwhile, industries previously targeted but now removed—such as STEM and agriculture—may need to explore alternative immigration pathways, such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or employer-specific work permits.
How To Apply for Express Entry in 2025
If you are considering applying for permanent residence under Express Entry, follow these steps:
- Determine your eligibility for Express Entry programs (FSWP, FSTP, or CEC).
- Create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool.
- Check if you qualify for category-based draws, especially if you work in healthcare, trades, or education.
- Improve your CRS score by gaining Canadian work experience, improving language skills, or securing a job offer.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if selected in a draw.
- Submit your permanent residence application within 60 days of receiving an ITA.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Express Entry
The Express Entry system continues to evolve to meet Canada’s economic and labour market needs. By focusing on education, healthcare, trades, and Francophone immigration, the government aims to ensure a steady supply of skilled workers in critical sectors.
Immigrants play a key role in Canada’s labour market, and these new changes reflect an ongoing effort to align immigration policies with workforce demands. As the country prepares for the future, Express Entry remains a highly competitive but rewarding pathway to Canadian permanent residence.
FAQ – Express Entry Changes for 2025
What are the major Express Entry changes in 2025?
Canada has introduced a new category for education-related occupations while removing STEM, transport, and agriculture occupations from targeted draws. The focus is now on healthcare, trades, education, and Francophone immigration. Candidates with Canadian work experience will also have a higher chance of receiving invitations.
Why did Canada remove STEM, transport, and agriculture occupations from targeted draws?
Canada’s immigration strategy prioritizes industries facing the most severe labour shortages. While STEM, transport, and agriculture remain important, the government is focusing on filling urgent gaps in healthcare, education, and skilled trades. Candidates in these sectors can still qualify through general draws or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
How does the focus on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) affect Express Entry applicants?
In 2025, Express Entry will prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience, making it easier for temporary workers already in Canada to transition to permanent residence. This helps businesses retain skilled workers and ensures smoother integration into the labour market.
Will French-speaking candidates still have an advantage in Express Entry?
Yes, Francophone immigration remains a key priority. Canada has set a target of 8.5% of newcomers being French-speaking. Candidates with strong French-language skills will continue to benefit from targeted draws, especially for positions outside Quebec, supporting Canada’s bilingual workforce.
What should Express Entry candidates do to improve their chances in 2025?
To improve their chances, candidates should focus on gaining Canadian work experience, enhancing their language skills, securing a job offer in a priority sector (healthcare, education, trades), and ensuring their CRS score is competitive. Checking eligibility for category-based draws is also essential.
Key Driver of Economic Growth
Canada’s 2025 Express Entry changes introduce a new education category, a stronger focus on Canadian work experience, and continued support for healthcare, trades, and Francophone immigration. These updates demonstrate a shift towards a more targeted approach, ensuring that Canada’s immigration system remains a key driver of economic growth and labour market stability.
If you are a skilled worker in the healthcare, social services, trades, or education sectors—or if you have strong French-language skills—this may be your best opportunity to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry.
