Express Entry Categories in 2025: What You Need to Know

Gina Byun
Apr 29
3 min read

In 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced category-based selection in Express Entry to better align permanent residence invitations with specific economic and labour market needs. These categories allow IRCC to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) based on language proficiency and work experience in targeted occupations, rather than relying solely on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

A Shift from General to Targeted Draws

Before categories were introduced, most Express Entry draws were either general or program-specific, inviting candidates who exceeded a certain CRS score and met the requirements of programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) — regardless of their occupation, language, or education.

The last general draw took place on April 23, 2024, and since then, category-based draws have become the new normal. We believe that further general draws are unlikely for the remainder of 2025.

This means that unless you fall under one of the established categories, your chances of receiving an ITA through Express Entry may be limited.

What Are the Express Entry Categories in 2025?

As of now, there are six (6) categories under the Express Entry system:

French-language proficiency
Healthcare and social services occupations
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations
Trade occupations
Agriculture and agri-food occupations
Education occupations

These categories were developed following consultation with provinces, territories, and other stakeholders, and are based on current labour market needs across Canada.

How Do You Qualify for a Category?

To be considered under a category-based draw, you must first be eligible for Express Entry (i.e., meet the criteria for one of the core immigration programs: CEC, FSWP, or FSTP) and then meet the specific requirements of a category.

1. French-language proficiency

To qualify, you must:

Have valid TEF Canada or TCF Canada results taken within the past two years.
Score at least NCLC 7 in all four language abilities (Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing).

2. Occupation-based categories

To be eligible for an occupation-based category, you must:

Have at least 6 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time), continuous work experience in an eligible occupation.
This experience can be Canadian or foreign, but you must prove that you were qualified to practise that occupation in the country where you worked.

Example: If you claim experience as a nurse in South Korea, you’ll need to show proof of relevant education and licensure to demonstrate you were authorized to practise nursing there.

Trends in 2025: What We’ve Seen So Far

So far in 2025, only French-language proficiency draws have been held — three as of the time of writing. We anticipate that occupation-based draws will resume soon and become more frequent as the year progresses.

However, not all categories are treated equally. IRCC prioritizes categories based on ongoing labour demands. For instance, in 2025, the government has emphasized its focus on: