Canada Announces 2025 Express Entry (EE) Updates: New Education Category Introduced

Canada Announces 2025 Express Entry (EE) Updates: New Education Category Introduced

On February 27, 2025, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced significant updates to the Express Entry (EE) categories for the year.

These changes reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to address labour shortages by targeting specific immigration streams. A key highlight of the update is the introduction of the Education Occupations category, while the Transport Occupations category has been removed from the list.

New Education Category Added to Express Entry

The biggest update in 2025 is the introduction of the Education Occupations EE category, a new pathway for foreign professionals in education to apply for Canadian permanent residency. This category addresses the growing demand for skilled educators across Canada.

Eligible occupations in this category include:

✅ Teachers – Secondary school teachers, elementary school and kindergarten teachers, as well as teacher assistants.
✅ Child Care Educators – Professionals involved in early childhood education.
✅ Specialized Instructors – Individuals who provide extra assistance to students with specific learning needs.

This addition underscores Canada’s commitment to strengthening its education system and filling critical shortages in the field.

Meanwhile, the Transport Occupations stream has been removed, as the government has shifted priorities in its immigration strategy.

Updated 2025 Express Entry Categories

The IRCC reviews EE categories annually to align with Canada’s labour market needs and long-term economic goals. For 2025, the updated Express Entry categories are:

✔ Healthcare & Social Services Occupations
✔ French-Language Proficiency
✔ Trades Occupations 
✔ Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Occupations
✔ Agriculture & Agri-Food Occupations
✔ NEW: Education Occupations Category

Although the STEM and Agriculture categories were not specifically mentioned in the latest announcement, they remain part of the EE system. However, the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under these streams may be lower compared to priority categories.

Continued Focus on Healthcare & Trades Workers

The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan continues to emphasize healthcare and trade occupations due to ongoing demand in these sectors. These workers play a vital role in strengthening Canada’s infrastructure and supporting essential services.

Additionally, Express Entry draws in 2025 will prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This ensures that individuals who have already integrated into Canada’s workforce have higher chances of securing permanent residency.

Emphasis on Francophone Immigration

The French-language proficiency stream remains a key focus for 2025, reinforcing Canada’s goal of expanding francophone communities outside Quebec.

In Express Entry draw #337, an impressive 6,500 francophone candidates received ITAs, highlighting the government's commitment to welcoming more French-speaking immigrants into the country.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for You

The updated 2025 Express Entry categories demonstrate Canada’s evolving immigration priorities, focusing on:

Healthcare & Trades Workers – High demand and priority for ITAs.
Education Professionals – A new pathway for teachers and childcare workers.
Francophone Immigrants – Increased opportunities for French-speaking applicants.
Canadian Work Experience Holders – Greater preference in EE draws.

If you’re considering applying under the 2025 Express Entry system, now is the time to assess your eligibility and prepare your application.