Express Entry changes in 2025, good news for early childhood educators (ECE) and cooks
1 Mar 2025
There's good news for those preparing to immigrate to Canada. Starting in 2025, the Express Entry system will be revamped to include a new Education category, as well as changes to the STEM, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, and Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations. This means that occupations like Early Childhood Educators and Cooks will have an advantage in their permanent residency applications, while others will be excluded and will not be able to benefit. Let's take a closer look at the news.
Express Entry is Canada's economic immigration system, which used to be based on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. However, starting in 2023, Category-Based Selection was introduced, which prioritizes the need for workers in certain industries. This reflects labor market demand and allows applicants in certain occupations to be invited even with relatively low scores. Applicants with occupations that fall into these categories were able to be selected even with lower scores, giving them an advantage in being approved for permanent residence. Each category is adjusted annually based on labor market analysis and economic needs, so the occupations included are constantly changing.
The most notable change is the creation of the Education category. Previously, education occupations did not exist as a standalone category under Express Entry, but now it includes not only primary and secondary educators, but also early childhood teachers, further expanding immigration opportunities. The education category includes elementary and secondary school teachers (NOC 41220, 41221), early childhood teachers and assistant teachers (NOC 42202), instructors of education for persons with disabilities (NOC 42203), and elementary and secondary teacher assistants (NOC 43100). This means that early childhood educators (ECE) will have a better chance of obtaining permanent residency through Express Entry, even with low scores.
There have also been some changes to STEM occupations: new additions include mechanical engineers (NOC 21301) and industrial and manufacturing engineers (NOC 21321), while exclusions include computer engineers (NOC 21211) and graphic designers (NOC 52120). Because some occupations that were previously included in the STEM category have been excluded, workers in these occupations may need to consider immigration pathways other than Express Entry.
Some occupations have also been added or removed from Healthcare occupations. Among the additions are Animal Health Technicians and Veterinary Technicians (NOC 32104) and Other Health Service Support Occupations (NOC 33109). The Skilled Occupations category has seen an increase in available occupations, most notably the addition of Cooks (NOC 63200), while the Agriculture and Agri-Food category, which previously included a wide range of occupations, now only includes Butchers (NOC 63201). The Transport category has been removed from the 2025 Express Entry changes and will no longer be selected through Express Entry. Applicants who were previously considering immigrating through this category will need to consider other immigration programs.
The changes to Express Entry reflect changes in Canada's labor market and workforce needs, and you should carefully review the impact of the changes to the Express Entry policy on your occupation. Those who are preparing to immigrate through Express Entry should develop a strategy to utilize the new categories to increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency.
You can find more information about whether your occupation is included or excluded from the Express Entry category-based selection on the IRCC's official website. We recommend that you double-check your occupation before preparing your application. Express Entry's category structure will continue to evolve as Canada's economy and social conditions change, so we encourage you to stay tuned for updates. We hope these changes will help more people get one step closer to applying for permanent residency in Canada.
There's good news for those preparing to immigrate to Canada. Starting in 2025, the Express Entry system will be revamped to include a new Education category, as well as changes to the STEM, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, and Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations. This means that occupations like Early Childhood Educators and Cooks will have an advantage in their permanent residency applications, while others will be excluded and will not be able to benefit. Let's take a closer look at the news.
Express Entry is Canada's economic immigration system, which used to be based on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. However, starting in 2023, Category-Based Selection was introduced, which prioritizes the need for workers in certain industries. This reflects labor market demand and allows applicants in certain occupations to be invited even with relatively low scores. Applicants with occupations that fall into these categories were able to be selected even with lower scores, giving them an advantage in being approved for permanent residence. Each category is adjusted annually based on labor market analysis and economic needs, so the occupations included are constantly changing.
The most notable change is the creation of the Education category. Previously, education occupations did not exist as a standalone category under Express Entry, but now it includes not only primary and secondary educators, but also early childhood teachers, further expanding immigration opportunities. The education category includes elementary and secondary school teachers (NOC 41220, 41221), early childhood teachers and assistant teachers (NOC 42202), instructors of education for persons with disabilities (NOC 42203), and elementary and secondary teacher assistants (NOC 43100). This means that early childhood educators (ECE) will have a better chance of obtaining permanent residency through Express Entry, even with low scores.
There have also been some changes to STEM occupations: new additions include mechanical engineers (NOC 21301) and industrial and manufacturing engineers (NOC 21321), while exclusions include computer engineers (NOC 21211) and graphic designers (NOC 52120). Because some occupations that were previously included in the STEM category have been excluded, workers in these occupations may need to consider immigration pathways other than Express Entry.
Some occupations have also been added or removed from Healthcare occupations. Among the additions are Animal Health Technicians and Veterinary Technicians (NOC 32104) and Other Health Service Support Occupations (NOC 33109). The Skilled Occupations category has seen an increase in available occupations, most notably the addition of Cooks (NOC 63200), while the Agriculture and Agri-Food category, which previously included a wide range of occupations, now only includes Butchers (NOC 63201). The Transport category has been removed from the 2025 Express Entry changes and will no longer be selected through Express Entry. Applicants who were previously considering immigrating through this category will need to consider other immigration programs.
The changes to Express Entry reflect changes in Canada's labor market and workforce needs, and you should carefully review the impact of the changes to the Express Entry policy on your occupation. Those who are preparing to immigrate through Express Entry should develop a strategy to utilize the new categories to increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency.
You can find more information about whether your occupation is included or excluded from the Express Entry category-based selection on the IRCC's official website. We recommend that you double-check your occupation before preparing your application. Express Entry's category structure will continue to evolve as Canada's economy and social conditions change, so we encourage you to stay tuned for updates. We hope these changes will help more people get one step closer to applying for permanent residency in Canada.