Canada Announces Major Changes to Express Entry Occupation-Specific Draws 🎯🇨🇦

Canada Announces Major Changes to Express Entry Occupation-Specific Draws 🎯🇨🇦

What’s Changing in Express Entry for 2025? 🔄
Canada is introducing a new category for education-related occupations in Express Entry while removing STEM, transport, and agriculture from targeted draws. The focus will now shift to healthcare, trades, education, and Francophone immigration to address urgent labour shortages.

Key Updates for 2025 📋

• New category for education occupations, including teachers and child care educators.

• Healthcare and social services remain a top priority (nurses, pharmacists, psychologists).

• Trades workers continue to be in demand (carpenters, plumbers, contractors).

• Francophone immigration remains a key focus outside Quebec.

Impact on Immigrants & Employers 💼

• STEM and agriculture workers must now rely on general draws or PNPs.

• Education professionals have a clearer pathway to permanent residency.

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates will have higher chances of receiving invitations.

How to Prepare for Express Entry in 2025 🚀

• Gain Canadian work experience to increase eligibility.

• Improve CRS score by enhancing language skills and securing a job offer.

• Check for category-based draws to maximize immigration chances.

TRENDING NEWS

Canada welcomed 483,390 new permanent residents in 2024, with India, the Philippines, and China leading the top 20 source countries. Many immigrants arrived through economic programs, family sponsorships, and refugee resettlement. New policies in 2025 may impact future immigration trends, as Canada adjusts targets to balance economic needs and integration capacity. Read more

Quebec has updated its list of occupations eligible for simplified LMIA processing, effective February 24, 2025. Employers can use the 2024 list until March 24 during a transition period. Key roles in healthcare, IT, engineering, and trades remain eligible, with salary and worker support requirements for lower-wage positions. Learn how these changes impact hiring in Quebec. Read more

Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) program set a record in 2024, welcoming 5,595 new permanent residents. Ontario and British Columbia led in admissions, with Manitoba and Nova Scotia also growing. However, with immigration caps lowering business visa allocations to 2,000 in 2025 and 1,000 in 2026-27, future growth is uncertain. Entrepreneurs should apply early as processing times may lengthen. Read more

NUMBERS TO KNOW

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