By admin 
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has unveiled its highly anticipated category-based Express Entry draws for 2025. This new system introduces a groundbreaking education category and updates to existing occupation lists.
While we published an article on February 27 detailing the addition and removal of occupations, many readers requested the full list of occupations eligible for the 2025 targeted Express Entry draws. If you’re an immigrant aspiring to gain permanent residency in Canada, this could be your chance!
From healthcare to STEM, trades to agriculture, and now education, the updated categories reflect the diverse needs of Canada’s evolving economy.
Here’s a comprehensive list of all occupations now eligible for targeted Express Entry draws in 2025, organized by category.
Full List of Occupations Eligible for Targeted Express Entry Draws in 2025:
- Healthcare and Social Services Category
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Category
- Trade Category
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Category
- Education Category
What Are Category-Based Draws?
Category-based selection is a targeted approach within the Express Entry system. Unlike general draws, these rounds focus on candidates with specific skills, qualifications, or experience that align with Canada’s economic needs.
The IRCC invites top-ranking candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residency based on:
- Proficiency in English or French (with a special emphasis on French speakers), or
- Work experience in high-demand occupations.
To be eligible, candidates must meet the baseline requirements of the Express Entry system—whether through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC)—and meet the specific criteria for each category.
Healthcare and Social Services Category
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
|---|---|
| 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 coordinators 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) Category
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
|---|---|
| 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 Category
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
|---|---|
| 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 Category
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Butchers – retail and wholesale | 63201 |
Education Category
| Occupation | 2021 NOC Code |
|---|---|
| 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 |
With these targeted draws, Canada’s Express Entry system aims to invite individuals who can fill critical roles in the workforce. Candidates who meet the baseline requirements of the system and the specific criteria of their occupational category could be invited to apply for permanent residency.
Gill Bikram Singh