Canada Announces The 2025 Express Entry Categories

The announcement reveals that Francophone immigration will remain a priority in 2025, to meet immigration targets. It also confirms that health care and trades workers will still be targeted, in line with what was announced in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. But there has been one new category added, and several categories were not mentioned in the announcement. 

Key Takeaways 

• Francophone, health, trades, and education will be targeted through category-based draws in 2025.  

• The STEM and Agriculture and agri-foods categories have not been removed for 2025, but were not mentioned in the announcement.  
• The Transport category has been removed for 2025.

• Canada plans to continue to focus on Canadian Experience Class draws.  

“Canada’s Express Entry system is evolving to meet the country’s changing needs. By addressing labour shortages, strengthening our economy and increasing Francophone immigration, we are building a more dynamic workforce with workers and professionals from in-demand fields. Our approach ensures immigration remains a key driver of Canada’s growth, helping businesses thrive while supporting communities across the country.”

– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Education A New Express Entry Category For 2025 

Canada has added education as a category for 2025. We aren’t completely shocked to see this, since there was industry consultation about adding education in 2024. However, given that it wasn’t mentioned in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan (unlike Francophone, health and trades) it was a little unexpected.  

These are the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Codes for education occupations being targeted in 2025: 

When Will We See The First Education Draw for 2025?  

We don’t know, and we aren’t sure what the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut off will look like either. However, we would guess, based on trends from last year, that the CRS will be potentially around 450 or lower, and that the draw may happen within the next two months.  

We can’t wait to see it!  

STEM and Agriculture Not Removed From The List 

Interestingly, IRCC has not removed STEM or Agriculture from the list of categories for 2025. These categories are listed as ‘current categories’ on the dedicated IRCC webpage.  

What this means is that IRCC could still run dedicated draws for workers falling into these categories. However, it may be unlikely given that these categories were not mentioned in either the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 or the IRCC news announcement on February 27, 2025 relating to this year’s categories.  

Transport Removed From the List

Transport occupations have been removed from the list of targeted occupations in 2025.

Canadian Experience Class Draws The Focus for 2025 

The Canadian government has confirmed that the federal economic class draws will focus on candidates with work experience in Canada (i.e.. Those eligible for the Canadian Experience Class) in 2025. This too aligns with the plan outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 to have an in-Canada focus for immigration this year.  

What Does This Mean For Those Eligible For STEM and Agriculture, and Federal Skilled Worker Draws in Express Entry? 

This isn’t good news for those holding out hope for a Federal Skilled Worker draw or a category-based draw in STEM or Agriculture. While it’s possible that Canada will hold a draw for programs other than the Provincial Nominee Program or Canadian Experience Class, it’s not likely. It’s also clear that Canada is prioritizing other categories this year, so a STEM or agriculture draw may be unlikely. 

If this impacts you, we suggest working on factors you can control instead of lamenting what you cannot.  

Here are some quick tips:  

1. Learning French may be the key to immigrating to Canada in 2025 and beyond. Unless you have Canadian Work Experience and a high CRS or you’re working in an in-demand sector, immigration will be very competitive, and French can be an asset here.  
2. If you’re currently in Canada and working, see if there are other programs available to you – like the rural community pilot or Atlantic Immigration Program.  
3. If you’re outside of Canada, consider either learning French or looking for jobs in rural or regional areas with higher rates of employment if you need an employer to support your immigration application. Many of Canada’s larger cities have higher unemployment rates , which makes it more challenging for temporary workers to receive an LMIA in the low-wage program.