Canada: Updates to Express Entry Category-Based Selection

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced updates to the category-based selection process for Express Entry candidates. Key updates include the introduction of a new Education category, which includes five designated occupations, and the removal of the Transport category. Additionally, IRCC has expanded the Healthcare category to include various social service occupations and reduced the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) category by removing most Information Technology occupations other than cybersecurity specialists. IRCC has chosen the following categories effective February 2025: French-language proficiency; healthcare and social services occupations; STEM occupations; trade occupations; agriculture and agri-food occupations; and education occupations. Access the government’s website for more details, including the list of occupations eligible under each category.