Canada has announced major updates to its Express Entry immigration system for 2025, introducing new selection categories and rules to better target in-demand skills and support economic needs. Below is a clear breakdown of these changes in simple terms, along with their impact on various groups (skilled workers, students, employers), how they compare to previous policies, the challenges and opportunities they create, who benefits most, and tips for applicants on how to take advantage of the new rules.
Overview of Key Changes in Express Entry (2025)
New Category-Based Selections: The government has introduced a new “Education” category as part of Express Entry’s category-based draws. This category targets candidates with work experience in the education sector (such as teachers, early childhood educators, teacher assistants, and instructors for people with disabilities). There are five specific occupations listed under this new education category. At the same time, the “Transport” category (which existed in 2023 for jobs like truck drivers and pilots) has been removed from the Express Entry categories. In addition, the existing categories for healthcare have been expanded to include more social services roles, and other category lists were adjusted (some occupations were added or removed) to better align with Canada’s labor needs. After these changes, the Express Entry categories now include: French-language proficiency, Healthcare and social services, Agriculture and agri-food, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), Trades, and the new Education category.
Priority on Certain Categories: Although six categories exist, Canada will prioritize four of them in 2025. The Minister of Immigration has announced that Express Entry draws in 2025 will mainly focus on candidates in these priority categories: (1) strong French-language skills, (2) Healthcare and social services occupations, (3) Trades occupations, and (4) Education occupations. These areas are considered critical due to acute labor shortages and Canada’s goal to increase French-speaking immigration. Candidates who qualify under these categories may get invited even with moderate Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, because they possess skills that are in high demand in Canada. By concentrating on these fields, Canada aims to bring in professionals like doctors, nurses, dentists, carpenters, plumbers, teachers, early childhood educators, and French speakers to fill job gaps and support communities.
Focus on Canadian Work Experience (CEC): A significant shift in 2025 is an emphasis on candidates with Canadian work experience. The government has indicated that federal economic class draws will primarily invite those who have worked in Canada (i.e., candidates in the Canadian Experience Class). In practice, this means if you are already a temporary worker or an international graduate working in Canada, you stand a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. The idea is to transition more temporary residents (such as international students who have graduated and gained work experience in Canada, or other skilled workers on work permits) into permanent residents. This “in-Canada” focus is intended to reward people who have proven they can integrate into the Canadian labor market and society. In fact, Canada’s 2025 immigration plan projects that over 40% of new permanent residents will be individuals already in Canada as workers or students, reflecting this shift toward selecting candidates with local experience.
Continued French-Speaking Draws: Canada is also continuing its push to invite French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec. One of the Express Entry categories is dedicated to those with strong French language proficiency, and this remains a priority in 2025. Candidates who can demonstrate a high level of French (for example, by taking an approved French language test) may be invited through French-language category rounds, even if they work in various occupations. This policy supports Canada’s goal of growing Francophone communities outside Quebec and upholding bilingualism. In practical terms, French-speaking applicants have an advantage under the new system, as more Express Entry draws will be aimed at Francophones in 2025..
Removal of Extra Points for Job Offers: In a noteworthy change to the Express Entry points system, IRCC will remove CRS bonus points for having a Canadian job offer, effective spring 2025. Previously, Express Entry candidates could get a significant points boost (usually 50 points for a skilled job offer, or up to 200 points for senior/executive level job offers) if they had a qualifying job offer in Canada. This will no longer be the case. The reason for this measure is to combat fraud and abuse – it aims to discourage the buying and selling of job offers (Labour Market Impact Assessments, or LMIAs) that some candidates used to artificially increase their scores. Once this change takes effect, all candidates with job offers will be on equal footing with those without, so a job offer by itself won’t guarantee an advantage in Express Entry selection. It’s important to note that this change won’t affect anyone who has already received an invitation to apply or submitted a PR application before the rule comes into force. For new and future candidates, however, having a job offer will not add extra points – so other factors like human capital (age, education, language) and the new category qualifications become even more crucial.
In summary, the 2025 Express Entry system is being adjusted to target specific skills, work experience, and language abilities that match Canada’s current needs. There’s a clear shift toward selecting immigrants who are already contributing in Canada or who can fill pressing labor shortages (like healthcare, trades, and education) and toward boosting French-speaking immigration. At the same time, measures are being taken to ensure fairness (removing incentives for fraudulent job offers). Next, we will examine what these changes mean for different groups of people and how they compare to the previous system.
Additional Express Entry Category Modifications
After the latest updates, each remaining Express Entry category has undergone significant changes to its eligible occupations. Some roles have been added, while others have been removed. Here is a summary:
Category | Occupations Added | Occupations Removed |
Healthcare and Social Services | 8 | 6 |
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) | 6 | 19 |
Trade | 19 | 4 |
Agriculture and Agri-food | 0 | 2 |
Healthcare and Social Services - Express Entry Changes
Occupations Added (8)
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 |
Occupations Removed (6)
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 |
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) - Express Entry Changes
Occupations Added (6)
Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
Civil engineering technologists and technicians | 22300 | 2 |
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 | 2 |
Geological engineers | 21331 | 1 |
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians | 22301 | 2 |
Mechanical engineers | 21301 | 1 |
Insurance agents and brokers | 63100 | 3 |
Occupations Removed (19)
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 |
Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 | 1 |
Engineering managers | 20010 | 0 |
Information systems specialists | 21222 | 1 |
Land surveyors | 21203 | 1 |
Landscape architects | 21201 | 1 |
Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries | 21210 | 1 |
Metallurgical and materials engineers | 21322 | 1 |
Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers | 41400 | 1 |
Software developers and programmers | 21232 | 1 |
Software engineers and designers | 21231 | 1 |
Urban and land use planners | 21202 | 1 |
Web designers | 21233 | 1 |
Web developers and programmers | 21234 | 1 |
Trade Occupations - Express Entry Changes
Occupations Added (19)
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 |
Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
Sheet metal workers | 72012 | 2 |
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
Home building and renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
Occupations Removed (4)
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 - Express Entry Changes
Occupations Added
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 - Express Entry Changes
Which occupations have been added to IRCC’s 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 |
Notes and Observations
The above changes illustrate how Canada has reallocated various occupations across different Express Entry categories to respond to labor market needs.
Applicants with occupations that have moved into a high-priority category may see a higher likelihood of selection in category-based draws.
If your occupation was removed from a category, it does not mean you have no pathway to immigrate—however, you may need to rely on all-program draws (based on CRS scores), Provincial Nominee Programs, or other immigration streams.
Impact on Different Groups
Impact on Skilled Workers (Prospective Immigrants)
Skilled workers in high-demand fields: If you are a skilled professional in one of the targeted categories (healthcare, trades, education) or you have strong French language skills, these changes are largely in your favor. You will have a better chance of being invited through Express Entry because Canada is actively seeking people with your background. For example, healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, etc.), tradespeople (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc.), and educators (teachers and early childhood educators) are explicitly being prioritized to help fill job vacancies in those sectors. Even if your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score isn’t the highest, being in one of these categories can lead to an invitation to apply, since category-based draws pick candidates based on their occupation/skill rather than purely on overall score. This is a big opportunity for skilled workers in these fields – it means the system will actively seek you out because your skills are in demand.
Skilled workers outside the priority fields: If you work in a field not on the priority list, the impact is a bit more mixed. On one hand, overall Express Entry invitations may become harder to get for you, because many draws in 2025 will be focused on the specific categories and on candidates already in Canada. For instance, some technology sector professionals (in certain computer and engineering occupations) might find fewer opportunities through category-based draws, since the STEM category has been narrowed down in 2025 (some tech occupations were removed), and STEM is not among the top priority categories this year. This doesn’t mean tech workers or other professionals can’t immigrate through Express Entry – but they might have to rely on general (all-program) draws based on CRS score, which could be less frequent or have higher score cut-offs when much of the focus is on targeted draws.
Skilled workers abroad without Canadian experience might feel this change the most. Under the previous system, a high-scoring foreign professional (say, an engineer or IT specialist with no Canadian experience) could expect an invitation in a regular draw. Now, if draws are more focused on in-Canada applicants or specific fields, foreign skilled workers not in a targeted category may face more competition and uncertainty. They may need to score very high on CRS or seek a provincial nomination to be selected. On the positive side, if such candidates can speak French or gain experience in a needed occupation, they can still benefit by qualifying for a category-based draw.
With/Without job offers: The removal of job offer points affects skilled workers who were banking on arranged employment to boost their chances. Under the old rules, having a valid job offer could add 50–200 CRS points, often guaranteeing an invitation. From 2025, that advantage is gone. This levels the playing field but also means that a skilled worker with a genuine job offer will need to qualify based on their own core points (age, education, languages, etc.) or fit a category, rather than relying on the job offer for extra points. Employers can still hire you and support your visa, but it won’t directly increase your Express Entry score. This change may push skilled workers to improve other aspects of their profile or consider provincial programs if they have a job offer (since some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) give nominations for having local employment, which still grants 600 points in Express Entry).
Impact on International Students and Recent Graduates
International graduates in Canada stand to benefit significantly from these changes. Since Express Entry 2025 is focused on candidates with Canadian work experience (CEC), students who finish their studies and then work in Canada (e.g., on a Post-Graduation Work Permit) will find it easier to get permanent residence. The system is essentially saying “we want to keep those who are already here contributing.” If you’re a former student now working in a skilled job, you fall under the Canadian Experience Class which is being prioritized for draws. In fact, Canada expects a large share of new immigrants to come from the pool of students and temporary workers already in the country (over 40% in 2025), so you are a key part of Canada’s plan.
Moreover, if your work experience or degree is related to one of the priority fields – for example, if you graduated in nursing or education and are now working in that field – you could double-benefit by also qualifying under a targeted category and being a CEC candidate.
Current students (future applicants) should note that fields of study tied to in-demand occupations (health care, teaching, skilled trades, etc.) might improve their odds of immigration after graduation, since Canada is keen on those skills. Additionally, investing time in learning French could hugely pay off – fluent French speakers have a dedicated pathway in Express Entry. A student in Canada who becomes bilingual and gains some work experience could be extremely competitive under the new system. Overall, the message to students is that Canadian work experience and in-demand skills matter more than ever. By studying and then working here, you align yourself with the government’s focus on transitioning temporary residents to permanent ones.
One thing to be mindful of is the removal of job offer points. Sometimes employers of international graduates would support them with an LMIA-based job offer to get extra points for Express Entry. With that incentive gone, as a graduate you’ll rely on your own human-capital points and any category advantage you have. This isn’t necessarily a downside – it just means Express Entry will look more at your skills and experience rather than whether you have a job offer. So, concentrate on improving language scores, gaining relevant work experience, and leveraging any category (like French proficiency or a needed occupation) that you qualify for.
Impact on Canadian Employers and the Job Market
For Canadian employers, the Express Entry 2025 changes are a double-edged sword with mostly positive aspects for those in certain industries. Employers in sectors facing acute labor shortages – such as healthcare, construction trades, early childhood education, and Francophone services – will likely find it easier to secure and retain skilled talent from abroad. The reason is that immigration is directly targeting those professions. For example, hospitals or healthcare facilities needing nurses and doctors, or school boards needing teachers, may see more foreign professionals in these roles becoming permanent residents quickly, allowing them to settle and work long-term in Canada. This helps employers by providing a more stable workforce in critical areas.
On the other hand, for employers in sectors not covered by the new priority categories, the changes might pose some challenges. If you rely on international talent for jobs that are not currently prioritized, those candidates might find it harder to get PR through Express Entry unless they have very high points or a provincial nomination. Previously, one strategy was to support a foreign worker with an LMIA-based job offer, giving them extra CRS points to ensure they got invited. With the removal of job offer points, that strategy is less effective. Employers may now need to look at Provincial Nominee Programs or other pathways to help key employees get permanent residence if Express Entry isn’t favoring their occupation.
In summary, employers in high-demand fields will benefit from a more reliable pipeline of skilled immigrants (the system is literally picking the workers you need), whereas employers in other sectors might have to plan a bit more (using PNPs or other supports) to secure PR for the international hires they want to keep. Overall, Canada’s aim is that by targeting immigration to certain skills, it helps address labor shortages more efficiently, which in theory benefits the economy and employers across the board.
Comparison with Previous Express Entry Policies
The Express Entry system has undergone a notable evolution heading into 2025. Previously, Express Entry primarily worked on a pure ranking points system (CRS) – the government would usually invite the highest-scoring candidates across all occupations, without focusing on specific job types. Under past policies, there were generally “all-program” draws where any skilled worker with a high enough score could be invited, regardless of their occupation. Factors like age, education, work experience, and language ability determined your CRS score, and typically the top-ranked profiles got an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Before 2023, there were no special occupation categories in federal Express Entry draws.
A big change came in 2022 when a law (Bill C-19) amended the immigration law to allow category-based selection. Starting in 2023, IRCC gained the authority to invite candidates based on specific attributes like occupation, sector, or language, rather than just CRS score. This was a fundamental shift: Express Entry could now do targeted draws (for example, “only invite healthcare workers” or “only invite French speakers”), which was not possible in the original system. In 2023, using this new power, IRCC introduced several categories (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, French speakers, etc.) and began holding category-specific draws.
What’s happening in 2025 builds on that change: the government is refining which categories to focus on and adding a new one (education) as priorities shift. For instance, in 2023 there was a transport occupations category – by 2025 they decided to drop transport and instead focus on education occupations. Similarly, the STEM category in 2023 included many tech jobs, but in 2025 it has been pared down (with 19 tech occupations removed), while more emphasis is put on trades and social services. This shows how Express Entry is now more flexible and responsive to labor market data: the government can tweak which jobs are prioritized each year. This is quite different from the pre-2023 approach where no matter the occupation, a candidate with a higher CRS would always beat a lower-scoring candidate. Now, an educator or plumber with a moderate score might leap ahead of a software engineer with a higher score because of category-based selection.
Another difference is the weight of Canadian experience. While Canadian Experience Class (CEC) was always part of Express Entry, prior to 2023 there were only occasional CEC-specific draws. In 2025, making CEC a year-long central focus marks a shift in policy priority toward those already in Canada. It formalizes a trend that more immigrants will come from the pool of existing temporary residents.
The CRS points system itself is also being tweaked. Historically, CRS offered additional points for certain things to give candidates an edge – e.g., having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education credentials, or a valid job offer. The job offer points (50/200) were one of those mechanisms. Removing the job offer points in 2025 is a significant change from previous policy, aiming to improve integrity. In the past, some candidates with lower human-capital scores could secure an ITA by getting a job offer with an LMIA. Going forward, Express Entry will place relatively more weight on personal human-capital factors and categories, and less on arranged employment.
In summary, compared to the past, the 2025 Express Entry system is more targeted and strategic:
Then (pre-2023): Mostly score-based selection, broad criteria, job offers gave bonus points, less direct targeting of specific occupations.
Now (2025): Mix of score and category-based selection, focusing on particular occupations/sectors and on those already in Canada, with job offer points removed and greater emphasis on factors like language and work experience in key fields.
Challenges and Opportunities Created by the Changes
Challenges
Tougher for Non-Targeted Occupations: If your work experience doesn’t fall under the prioritized categories, you might find it more challenging to get invited. With many draws focusing on specific fields, candidates in other professions could face longer wait times or higher CRS cut-offs in the fewer open draws.
Fewer Avenues for Foreign Candidates Without Canadian Experience: The strong emphasis on Canadian Experience Class means applicants applying from abroad who lack Canadian experience could be at a disadvantage if IRCC conducts fewer all-program draws.
Uncertainty and Need for Flexibility: The introduction and removal of categories show that priorities can change yearly based on Canada’s needs, so there’s some unpredictability for applicants.
No Shortcut via Job Offers: With CRS points for job offers eliminated, candidates can no longer rely on an arranged employment to boost their score. They must strengthen other core human capital factors or fit into a targeted category.
Potential Bottlenecks in Categories: Being in a category is an advantage, but if a large number of candidates qualify, there may still be competition within that category.
Adjustment Period for Employers and Provinces: Employers who used to assist employees with PR through job offers must adapt to the new rules, and PNPs may see increased demand from those not prioritized at the federal level.
Opportunities
Easier Path for In-Demand Professions: Workers in healthcare, trades, education, or those with French language skills now have a more direct and faster route to PR.
More Opportunities for Those Already in Canada: Applicants in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class have priority, making it easier for international graduates and temporary workers to transition to PR.
Francophones Get a Boost: French-speaking applicants continue to benefit from dedicated category draws, helping them overcome potential shortfalls in other areas like CRS score.
Integrity and Fairness: Removing job offer points helps reduce fraud and abuse, preserving the system’s credibility and fairness for genuine candidates.
Alignment with Economic Needs: By linking immigration to real job shortages, Canada aims for faster economic integration of newcomers, which benefits both immigrants and communities.
Who Stands to Benefit the Most?
Candidates with In-Demand Occupations (Healthcare, Trades, Education, Social Services): These professionals have a better chance of selection even with moderate CRS scores.
French-Speaking Applicants: Francophones receive dedicated draws, significantly boosting their prospects.
Applicants with Canadian Work Experience (CEC): The government’s focus on selecting those already contributing in Canada makes this group a top priority.
Skilled Trades Workers: Historically underrepresented due to lower language or education points, now benefiting from trades-specific draws.
Canadian Employers in Key Sectors: They get access to a more stable and skilled workforce in fields where shortages are critical.
Tips and Recommendations for Applicants
Identify if You’re in a Priority Category: Check whether your occupation or skills fall under healthcare, trades, education, French proficiency, etc. Make sure your Express Entry profile accurately reflects this.
Improve Your Language Skills (Especially French): Language remains one of the biggest score boosters. Strong French can qualify you for the French category draws, and high English helps in overall CRS.
Gain or Highlight Canadian Experience: If you can, study or work in Canada. Having at least one year of skilled work in Canada can be a game-changer, as CEC candidates are heavily favored.
Leverage Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): If you’re not in a federal priority category or have a low CRS score, a provincial nomination (worth 600 points) could be your best pathway to PR.
Adapt to the Removal of Job Offer Points: Focus on improving your own human-capital factors – education, language, experience. Look into PNPs if you have an employer willing to support you.
Stay Informed and Flexible: Track IRCC announcements, Express Entry draws, and category priorities. Immigration policies can shift each year; knowing changes early helps you pivot your strategy.
Seek Professional Advice if Needed: If your case is complex or you need guidance, consult a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
Prepare Thorough Documentation: Gather necessary proofs of work experience, language test results, credentials, etc. Being organized lets you respond quickly when you receive an invitation to apply.
By following these recommendations, you can position yourself to make the most of the new Express Entry rules. The system is favoring certain skills and experiences, so aligning your profile accordingly can significantly increase your chances. Canada remains open to newcomers; understanding these updated priorities is key to a successful application.