Full Breakdown of Express Entry Draw Categories for 2025

Full Breakdown of Express Entry Draw Categories for 2025

The 2025 Express Entry updates bring more than just additions and removals—IRCC has refined the occupation lists within each category to better align with Canada’s evolving workforce demands. This breakdown details the key changes, including new and removed occupations, and what they mean for prospective applicants.

1. Healthcare and Social Services Occupations

Healthcare remains a core priority in Canada’s immigration strategy, reflecting the country’s aging population and increased demand for medical and social support services.

Occupations Added (8)

• Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 32104, TEER 2)
• Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (NOC 32123, TEER 2)
• Dental hygienists and dental therapists (NOC 32111, TEER 2)
• Other medical technologists and technicians (NOC 32129, TEER 2)
• Pharmacists (NOC 31120, TEER 1)
• Pharmacy technicians (NOC 32124, TEER 2)
• Social and community service workers (NOC 42201, TEER 2)
• Social workers (NOC 41300, TEER 1)

Occupations Removed (6)

• Educational counsellors (NOC 41320, TEER 1)
• Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 42203, TEER 2)
• Kinesiologists and other professional therapy occupations (NOC 31204, TEER 1)
• Other assisting health services occupations (NOC 33109, TEER 3)
• Natural healing practitioners (NOC 32209, TEER 2)
• Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists (NOC 32200, TEER 2)

These updates reflect a shift toward mainstream healthcare roles, focusing on community health and pharmaceuticals while reducing niche holistic professions.

2. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations

The STEM category has seen significant reductions, with 19 occupations removed and none added.

Occupations Removed (19)

• Architects (NOC 21200, TEER 1)
• Business systems specialists (NOC 21221, TEER 1)
• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 20012, TEER 0)
• Computer engineers (NOC 21311, TEER 1)
• Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 21230, TEER 1)
• Data scientists (NOC 21211, TEER 1)
• Database analysts and administrators (NOC 21223, TEER 1)
• Engineering managers (NOC 20010, TEER 0)
• Information systems specialists (NOC 21222, TEER 1)
• Land surveyors (NOC 21203, TEER 1)
• Landscape architects (NOC 21201, TEER 1)
• Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries (NOC 21210, TEER 1)
• Metallurgical and materials engineers (NOC 21322, TEER 1)
• Natural and applied science policy researchers (NOC 41400, TEER 1)
• Software developers and programmers (NOC 21232, TEER 1)
• Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231, TEER 1)
• Urban and land use planners (NOC 21202, TEER 1)
• Web designers (NOC 21233, TEER 1)
• Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234, TEER 1)

This significant reduction may suggest that Canada is prioritizing other industries or that domestic supply for these roles has increased.

3. Trades Occupations

Trades have expanded substantially, with 19 new occupations added to support Canada’s infrastructure and construction sector.

Occupations Added (19)

• Bricklayers (NOC 72320, TEER 2)
• Cabinetmakers (NOC 72311, TEER 2)
• Cooks (NOC 63200, TEER 3)
• Construction estimators (NOC 22303, TEER 2)
• Construction managers (NOC 70010, TEER 0)
• Concrete finishers (NOC 73100, TEER 3)
• Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling (NOC 82021, TEER 2)
• Electrical mechanics (NOC 72422, TEER 2)
• Floor covering installers (NOC 73113, TEER 3)
• Gas fitters (NOC 72302, TEER 2)
• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 72401, TEER 2)
• Home building and renovation managers (NOC 70011, TEER 0)
• Industrial electricians (NOC 72201, TEER 2)
• Machinists and machining inspectors (NOC 72100, TEER 2)
• Painters and decorators (NOC 73112, TEER 3)
• Roofers and shinglers (NOC 73110, TEER 3)
• Sheet metal workers (NOC 72102, TEER 2)
• Water well drillers (NOC 72501, TEER 2)
• Other technical trades (NOC 72999, TEER 2)

Occupations Removed (4)

• Residential and commercial installers (NOC 73200, TEER 3)
• Elevator constructors and mechanics (NOC 72406, TEER 2)
• Machine fitters (NOC 72405, TEER 2)
• Supervisors in construction and installation (NOC 72014, TEER 2)

This expansion highlights Canada’s urgent demand for skilled labour in the trades sector, particularly in construction and manufacturing.

4. Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations

Agriculture has seen a minor reduction with two occupations removed.

Occupations Removed (2)

• Landscaping and horticulture supervisors (NOC 82031, TEER 2)
• Farm supervisors and contractors (NOC 82030, TEER 2)

5. Education Occupations (New Category)

A major update in 2025 is the introduction of the Education category, aimed at addressing teacher shortages.

Occupations Added (5)

• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100, TEER 3)
• Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 42203, TEER 2)
• Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202, TEER 2)
• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221, TEER 1)
• Secondary school teachers (NOC 41220, TEER 1)

This new category reflects Canada’s focus on strengthening its education system by attracting more teaching professionals.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Express Entry changes emphasize a shift toward trades, healthcare, and education while reducing reliance on STEM occupations. These updates ensure Canada remains competitive and addresses workforce shortages effectively.

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