Navigating the 2025 Express Entry Categories-Based Selection

The landscape of Canadian immigration is constantly evolving to meet the country’s labor market needs. On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the Express Entry categories for the year, ensuring that key sectors have the talent they require. If you’re considering making Canada your new home, here’s everything you need to know about the latest category-based selection process.

What is Category-Based Selection?

Express Entry is Canada’s online immigration system that manages applications for three key programs:

• Canadian Experience Class

• Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Federal Skilled Trades Program

Category-based selection rounds allow IRCC to invite candidates who meet specific labor market demands. These categories are determined by the Minister to support economic growth and fill critical job shortages across various industries.

Current Express Entry Categories for 2025

For 2025, Express Entry category-based selection will focus on candidates with expertise in the following areas:

• French-language proficiency

• Healthcare and social services occupations

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations

• Trade occupations

• Agriculture and agri-food occupations

• Education occupations

If you work in one of these fields, this could be your opportunity to secure an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Who’s Eligible for Category-Based Selection?

To qualify for an invitation through a category-based round, you must:

1. Meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including eligibility under one of the three immigration programs.

2. Fulfill all requirements outlined in the specific round’s instructions.

When a category-based round occurs, candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet the category’s criteria are ranked. The top-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residence.

French-language proficiency category

To be eligible, you must have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens

Healthcare and social services occupations category

To be eligible, you must have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a single occupation below in Canada or abroad:

Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians 32104

• Audiologists and speech language pathologists 31112

• Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists 32123

• Chiropractors 31201

• Dental hygienists and dental therapists 32111

• Dentists 31110

• Dieticians and nutritionists 31121

• General practitioners and family physicians 31102

• Licensed practical nurses 32101

• Massage therapists 32201

• Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations 33101

• Medical laboratory technologists 32120

• Medical radiation technologists 32121

• Medical sonographers 32122

• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 33102

• Nurse practitioners 31302

• Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors 31300

• Occupational therapists 31203

• Optometrists 31111

• Other medical technologists and technicians 32129

• Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating 31209

• Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment 32109

• Paramedical occupations 32102

• Pharmacists 31120

• Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants 33103

• Pharmacy technicians 32124

• Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals 31303

• Physiotherapists 31202

• Psychologists 31200

• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 31301

• Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 32103

• Social and community service workers 42201

• Social workers 41300

• Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine 31100

• Specialists in surgery 31101

• Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies 41301

• Veterinarians 31103

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations category

To be eligible, you must have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a single occupation below in Canada or abroad:

• Architecture and science managers 20011

• Civil engineering technologists and technicians 22300

• Civil Engineers 21300

• Cybersecurity specialists 21220

• Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians 22310

• Electrical and electronics engineers 21310

• Geological Engineers 21331

• Industrial and manufacturing engineers 21321

• Insurance agents and brokers 63100

• Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians 22301

• Mechanical Engineers 21301

Trade occupations category

To be eligible, you must have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a single occupation below in Canada or abroad:

• Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services 82021

• Floor covering installers 73113

• Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) 73112

• Roofers and shinglers 73110

• Concrete finishers 73100

• Other technical trades and related occupations 72999

• Water well drillers 72501

• Electrical mechanics 72422

• Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics 72402

• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics 72401

• Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 72400

• Bricklayers 72320

• Cabinetmakers 72311

• Carpenters 72310

• Gas fitters 72302

• Plumbers 72300

• Industrial electricians 72201

• Electricians (except industrial and power system) 72200

• Welders and related machine operators 72106

• Sheet metal workers 72102

• Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors 72100

• Home building and renovation managers 70011

• Construction managers 70010

• Cooks 63200

• Construction estimators 22303

Agriculture and agri-food occupations category

To be eligible, you must have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a single occupation below in Canada or abroad:

• Butchers - retail and wholesale 63201

Education occupations category

To be eligible, you must have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a single occupation below in Canada or abroad:

• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants 43100

• Instructors of persons with disabilities 42203

• Early childhood educators and assistants 42202

• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers 41221

• Secondary school teachers 41220

How to Improve Your Chances of Being Invited

If you belong to one of the eligible categories, follow these steps to enhance your chances of receiving an invitation:

• Create and update your Express Entry profile to reflect your qualifications accurately.

• Meet all Express Entry requirements, including language proficiency, education, and work experience.

• Aim for a competitive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by optimizing factors like language scores, work experience, and educational credentials.

• Monitor Express Entry draw rounds to stay informed about category-based invitations.

What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?

Once you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence, the next step is to submit a complete application within the required timeframe. Be sure to provide all necessary documentation to support your eligibility.

Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve, aligning immigration with labor market priorities. If you’re in a targeted occupation, now is the time to take action. Ensure your profile is updated, meet all program criteria, and keep an eye on invitation rounds. Your Canadian dream could be closer than you think!

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