Welcome to the Guberman // Appleby Immigration lawyers Update. We hope you find the information provided relevant to your immigration needs. Our objective is to highlight recent changes in immigration that are of interest to our readers. If you have specific questions relating to this update, feel free to contact us at info@gaimmlaw.com.
Today’s topic:
- IRCC Announces the Categories for 2025 Targeted Express Entry Draws
On February 27, 2025, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced significant changes to category-based selection for Canada’s Express Entry targeted draws.
Previous Targeted Draw Categories
When Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced specific categories for targeted express entry rounds in 2023, there were 6 categories:
- French language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transportation occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
These categories have remained static since then. WIth the recent announcement, for the 2025 Express Entry draws there will be an addition of an Education category, a reduction in the number of STEM occupations and a continued focus on the Canada Experience Class (CEC) and Francophone immigration. The healthcare category has been expanded to included social services occupations and the transportation occupations category has been eliminated.
For 2025, the six (6) targeted draw categories are:
- French language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Education occupations
Continued Support for Francophone Immigration
To bolster Francophone communities outside of Quebec, Express Entry will maintain its emphasis on candidates with strong French language proficiency. This initiative supports the vitality and growth of Francophone cultures across the country.
Reduction in STEM Occupations
When targeted draw categories were announced in 2023, the STEM category was extremely broad including 24 occupations. The newly announced iteration of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) category has been refined to concentrate on only 11 specific occupations. These are: Architecture and science managers, civil engineering technologists and technicians, civil engineers, cybersecurity specialists, electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians, electrical and electronics engineers, geological engineers, industrial and manufacturing engineers, insurance agents and brokers, mechanical engineering technologists and technicians and mechanical engineers.
Healthcare and social services occupations
In this category there has been an overall increase by two (2) occupations from 35 to 37 occupations. With notable additions of Pharmacists and Social Workers. IRCC is clearly focussing on positions that will help alleviate the on-going shortage of access to healthcare across Canada.
Introduction of the Education Category
An addition to the Express Entry targeted draw categories is the Education Occupations category. This new category seeks to address shortages in the education sector by prioritizing candidates with experience in the five (5) following occupations: elementary and secondary school teacher assistants, instructors of persons with disabilities, early childhood educators and assistants, elementary school and kindergarten teachers and secondary school teachers.
For detailed information on the new categories and eligibility criteria, please reach out to one of the lawyers at Guberman Appleby Immigration Lawyers.
// CONTACT US
We welcome you to contact us directly to discuss the above. Please contact one of our immigration lawyers, by reaching out to our general line 416 548 7100 or via email info@gaimmlaw.com. Our immigration lawyers are always available to discuss any of your specific Canadian or US immigration queries either virtually or in person. We look forward to hearing from you.
