We are going to uncover these trends and break down the numbers to help you determine your future chances of getting a category draw ITA. And if you’re already in Canada, we haven’t forgotten about you. We’ve included key insights from the data to help guide your own immigration strategy. 

Note: This analysis uses the most recent data available, but it reflects 2024 figures – it’s a useful guide, but patterns may have shifted since then.  

We’ve packed a lot into this article, so here are the key takeaways to help you grab the main points fast. 

Key Takeaways 

French is your best bet – In 2024, 85% of French category ITAs went to people outside Canada. Provinces like New Brunswick have big demand for bilingual workers. 

Healthcare is strong – Just over half of healthcare ITAs went abroad. Ontario, Alberta, and BC lead in interest. 

STEM is tricky – 78% of STEM category ITAs went to people abroad, yet overall, more STEM ITAs went to applicants already in Canada. Sounds confusing, but we break down why. 

Trades are tough – Only 16% of trades ITAs went abroad. Ontario is the top province for trades interest. 

Keep reading to get our full breakdown of the top provinces in each category, and how that can guide your move.

Which Categories Work Best for Express Entry Applicants Who Are Outside of Canada?

Not all categories are equally accessible to candidates abroad, some are heavily tilted towards applicants already in Canada. 

The numbers reviewed assume that applicants selected through General, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, were in Canada, which is aligned with current program priorities (and high CRS cut-offs). 

Here’s what the 2024 data shows. 

French-Language Proficiency 

• Total ITAs in 2024: 24,303
  • From category draws: 23,000
  • From other draws: 1,303

• Percentage of all ITAs issued to French candidates outside Canada: ~81% (19,685 ITAs)
• Share of French category draws only ITAs going outside Canada: ~85% 

In 2024, most French speakers received their ITA through a category-based draw over any other draw type, and they faced little competition from applicants already in Canada. 

What this means for outland applicants:

French remains one of the strongest and most reliable categories if you’re applying from abroad. Even if you qualify for other categories, unless you have a very high CRS score, adding French to your profile can significantly improve your chances. 

Healthcare 

• Total ITAs in 2024: 11,967
  • From category draws: 10,250 
  • From other draws: 1,717 

• Percentage of all ITAs issued to candidates in Healthcare outside Canada: ~44% or 5,265 ITAs 
• Share of healthcare category draws only ITAs going outside Canada: ~51% 

This data suggests that just over half (51%) of all healthcare category-based ITAs went to applicants outside Canada, giving overseas candidates a slight edge compared to in-Canada applicants. 

What this means for applicants outside of Canada: 

Healthcare remains a strong pathway for those abroad, with steady demand across multiple provinces. If you meet licensing and experience requirements, your chances are competitive, if you have a good CRS score. You’ll still face substantial competition from in-Canada applicants, but focus on increasing your CRS score wherever you can. 

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) 

• Total ITAs in 2024: 13,749 
  • From category draws: 4,500 
  • From other draws: 9,246 

• Percentage of all ITAs issued in STEM to candidates outside Canada: ~26% (3,574 ITAs) 
• Share of STEM category draws only ITAs going outside Canada: ~78% 

Nearly 78% of all STEM category-based ITAs went to applicants outside Canada, indicating stronger profiles abroad than among in-Canada candidates. However, it’s worth noting that the only STEM draw in 2024 took place just one day after a smaller general draw, which may have pulled some in-Canada STEM candidates out of the pool. 

At first glance, this looks like great news for outland STEM applicants, but dig a little deeper and the picture changes. 

What this means for applicants outside of Canada:

While overseas STEM applicants are highly competitive, category-based draws for this group have been rare, only one in 2024 and none so far in 2025. Despite that, IRCC still issued just under 14,000 ITAs to STEM-eligible candidates in 2024. This suggests IRCC may preferred using general draws with high CRS cut-offs to target STEM workers already in Canada, rather than holding STEM-specific draws that would also capture more overseas candidates.

If this approach continues, it will be worth watching how many STEM workers receive ITAs through CEC draws in 2025. Either way, this likely goes a long way toward explaining the absence of STEM category draws. 

Agriculture and Agri-Food 

• Total ITAs in 2024: 346 
  • From category draws: 150 
  • From other draws: 196 

• Percentage of all ITAs issued in Agriculture to candidates outside Canada: ~64% (221 ITAs) 
• Share of agriculture category draws only ITAs going outside Canada: Not clear

With only 150 category-based ITAs issued for this occupation, but 221 issued to overseas candidates, many of overseas candidates likely received invitations through PNP or CEC streams, possibly after having lived or worked in Canada before. 

What this means for applicants outside of Canada:

While a majority of invitations went to candidates outside Canada, the overall volume is very small. Unless you have niche agricultural skills or a strong provincial connection, or prior work experience in Canada, this category alone may not offer a reliable pathway. 

Trades: 

• Total ITAs in 2024: 3,884 
  • From category draws: 3,600 
  • From other draws (CEC or PNP): 284 

• Percentage of all ITAs in Trades issued to candidates outside Canada: ~15% (582 ITAs) 
• Share of trades category draws only ITAs going outside Canada: ~16% 

What this means for applicants outside of Canada: 

Trades are one of the least accessible categories from abroad. The low share of overseas invitations is largely due to CRS scoring — many foreign-trained tradespeople struggle with credential recognition, while in-Canada candidates can offset this with Canadian work experience or education. 

Note: We have not reviewed the Transport category as it is no longer a 2025 category. 

Opportunities for Candidates Already in Canada 

While this article focuses on which categories work best for overseas applicants, the data also highlights areas where in-Canada candidates have a clear advantage and untapped opportunities. 

One standout example is French-language proficiency. In 2024, many in-Canada candidates did not pursue French-language draws. This gap presents a major opportunity for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants waiting for a draw. By learning French and qualifying for the French-language proficiency category, you could secure an ITA with less competition from other in-Canada applicants. 

STEM is another case to consider. The lack of STEM-specific draws in 2024 and 2025 might feel discouraging, but in-Canada STEM workers are still receiving ITAs — they’re just being selected through other draw types rather than STEM-targeted rounds. 

For in-Canada candidates, the key takeaway is to think beyond your current occupational category pathway.  

Provinces of Interest by Category: 2024 Trends 

The province or territory of interest is what applicants list in their Express Entry profile as their intended destination, it’s not the province where they necessarily end up. This distinction is important because it changes how we interpret the data. Instead of showing where invitations were sent, it tells us where candidates want to go, which can reflect:

• Higher PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) activity in certain provinces

• Labour demand or job opportunities attracting candidates

• Provincial immigration strategies that make some destinations more appealing

For outland applicants, understanding these patterns can help you align your Express Entry profile and job search with provinces that are actively attracting talent in your category.

So let’s review the 2024 numbers: