Just Announced: 2025 Express Entry Categories

On February 27, 2025, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced the updated Express Entry (EE) categories for the year.

These changes reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to address labour shortages by targeting specific EE immigration streams. As part of this update, the IRCC introduced a new education category and removed the transport occupations category from the previous list.

Introduction of the New Education Category

The main update in the 2025 announcement is the announcement of the new Education Occupations EE category. This new category is a pathway for foreign professionals in education to apply for Canadian permanent residency. This new pathway addresses the growing demand for skilled workers in the education sector. The occupations eligible for this category include:

1. Teachers (Secondary school teachers, Elementary school and kindergarten teachers, Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants etc.)
2. Child Care Educators
3. Instructors for individuals requiring extra assistance

The addition of this new category demonstrates not only the importance of education professionals but also addresses the growing demand and shortage of qualified educators in certain parts of Canada.

The Transport occupations stream was removed from the list of EE categories for 2025 as the Canadian government has shifted its priorities.

2025 Express Entry Categories

The updated Express Entry categories listed on the IRCC website are revised every year to better address Canada’s labour needs and support long-term economic growth. The categories for 2025 include:

1. Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
2. French-Language Proficiency
3. Trade Occupations such as construction, manufacturing and industrial
4. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations
5. Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
6. New Education Occupations Category

Although the STEM and Agriculture categories were not specifically mentioned in the announcement, they continue to remain part of the Express Entry system. However, it is important to note that chances of receiving an invitation under these streams may be unlikely.

Focus on Healthcare and Trades Workers

Canada’s 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan indicates a continued focus on healthcare and trade occupations. Healthcare and trade workers remain a priority in the EE system due to their continued demand in the Canadian labour market and are essential to growing Canada’s infrastructure.

For 2025, Express Entry draws will also focus on targeting candidates with Canadian work experience through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This approach will prioritize individuals who have demonstrated their ability to succeed in the Canadian workforce by having the experience necessary for long-term success.

Priority for Francophone Immigration

The Canadian government has evidently upheld its commitment to increasing the francophone population across Canada. The French-language proficiency stream remains a priority for 2025, with the intention of spreading and increasing francophone communities across Canada and outside Quebec. In the most recent French language proficiency stream Express Entry draw #337, an impressive amount of 6,500 francophone candidates received invitations to apply (ITA), further demonstrating the importance of and focus on the French-language proficiency stream in Canada’s new immigration strategy.

The updated 2025 Express Entry categories are a representation of Canada’s efforts of addressing labour market needs. With a focus on healthcare, trades, education, and francophone workers, alongside a continued emphasis on Canadian work experience, the government aims to create a more effective immigration process to better align with Canada’s current needs and long-term goals.

If you plan to apply under any of the 2025 Express Entry streams or would like us to assess your eligibility under any of the streams, contact us today!