Immigration plays a big role in keeping Canada strong and growing — and for 2025, there are some exciting updates in how newcomers are selected!
In February 2025, the government announced new Express Entry categories, including one for education jobs. That means if you’re a teacher, early childhood educator, or support worker for people with disabilities, this could be your year!
Who’s Being Prioritized?
If you’re in the Express Entry pool, you may be invited to apply for permanent residence if you have:
- Strong French language skills, or
- Work experience in these high-demand areas:
- Healthcare (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, etc.)
- Skilled trades (carpenters, plumbers, contractors)
- Education (teachers, child care educators, instructors)
The focus is also on people who already have Canadian work experience through the Canadian Experience Class.
How Does It Work?
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Create your Express Entry profile through IRCC’s website.
- Get into the pool if you qualify under one of the programs (like Skilled Worker or Canadian
Experience). - Check your score! You’ll get points based on things like age, education, and experience.
- Be on the lookout! IRCC will look for people in the pool who fit their category needs.
- Get invited! If you have a high score and fit a category, you could be invited to apply.
- Apply within 60 days of your invitation.
- Wait for IRCC’s decision. They’ll check your info and eligibility before making a final decision.
What Are the 2025 Categories?
- French speakers
- Healthcare workers
- STEM professionals
- Skilled tradespeople
- Agriculture and food experts
- Teachers and educators
How IRCC choose and report on categories
IRCC choose categories based on:
- labour market information and projections
- input IRCC received from their partners, including provinces and territories, and stakeholders across the country
Each year, IRCC will report to Parliament on:
- the categories they chose the previous year
- why and how they chose them
- the instructions to establish a category
- the number of invitations they issued for each category
IRCC will also:
- include information about category-based selection in the Express Entry Year-End Report
- monitor and assess categories on a regular basis
Who’s eligible for each category?
To be eligible for an invitation through a category-based round, you must:
- meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including being eligible for 1 of the 3 immigration programs it covers, and
- meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round
When IRCC hold a category-based round of invitations, they will:
- rank candidates in the pool who meet the category requirements, and
- invite top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence
- These changes are part of Canada’s plan to welcome people who are ready to fill important jobs and contribute right away.
- Whether you’re a healthcare hero, a skilled tradesperson, or passionate about education — Canada wants your skills!
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Contact Marjorie at info@mcncanadaimmigration.com
A word of caution: You should not act or rely on the information provided in this column. It is not a legal advice. To ensure your interests are protected, retain, or formally seek advice from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) in good standing of CICC. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RCIC’s.
