Canada Express Entry Welcomes Skilled Workers Amid US Halt
Facing US Immigration Delays? Why Skilled Workers from 19 Countries Are Turning to Canada’s Express Entry
- The US has suspended immigration processing for nationals of 19 countries, including green card applications.
- Canada’s Express Entry remains open to all nationalities, offering a welcoming alternative.
- Express Entry uses a points-based system to assess skilled worker eligibility.
- Category-based draws in Canada can help applicants with lower scores get invited.
- Applicants from affected countries may qualify through specific pathways like the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Provincial Nominee Program.
- Realistic examples show how strong profiles can lead to permanent residence in Canada.
Why Skilled Workers Are Looking North to Canada
On December 2, 2025, the US government announced an indefinite pause on processing immigration applications from citizens of 19 specific countries—labelled by the administration as “high risk.” This includes green card applications for countries such as Haiti, Somalia, Libya, and Venezuela. For thousands of hopeful applicants, this means their dreams of living and working in the United States are now stuck in limbo.
But here’s the good news: Canada’s Express Entry system is wide open—no matter where you’re from. It continues to welcome skilled workers from around the globe, offering a transparent and merit-based pathway to permanent residency.
If you or someone you know has been affected by the US policy change, it may be the perfect time to consider Canada as a new place to call home.
Which Countries Are Affected by the US Immigration Suspension?
The US has temporarily halted immigration application processing for nationals from the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Burundi
- Chad
- Cuba
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Republic of the Congo
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
- Yemen
If you’re a skilled worker from one of these countries, read on to learn how you can still pursue your goals through Canada’s Express Entry system.
What Is Canada’s Express Entry System?
Express Entry is Canada’s primary immigration pathway for skilled workers. While it’s not an application for permanent residence (PR) in itself, it’s how you get invited to apply. Once you’re in the pool of candidates, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) based on your profile’s competitiveness.
To enter the Express Entry pool, you must qualify under one of three programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to score your Express Entry profile. Points are awarded for factors like age, education, language ability (English and/or French), work experience, and more. The maximum CRS score is 1,200.
Every few weeks, the Canadian government holds draws to invite the top-scoring candidates to apply for PR. Even if your CRS score isn’t among the highest, you may still be invited through category-based draws or with a provincial nomination—which can give you a 600-point boost.
Try the CRS calculator to estimate your score and eligibility.
Understanding Category-Based Draws
Since 2023, Canada has been using category-based draws in addition to general draws. This means that if you meet the requirements of a specific immigration category, you could be invited even with a lower CRS score.
Current Express Entry categories include:
- Healthcare and social services
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Trades
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Education
- French-language proficiency
To qualify for these draws, you must:
- Be eligible for one of the three core Express Entry programs
- Have at least six months of full-time experience in the targeted occupation (within the last three years)
For the French-language category, you’ll need to demonstrate French-language abilities at level NCLC 7 or higher in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Category-based draws typically have lower CRS cut-off scores than general draws, making it an excellent option for many skilled workers from around the world.
Fun Fact:
So far in 2025, over 60,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been issued through category-based draws—more than any other draw type!
Real-Life-Style Examples: Who Could Qualify?
Example 1: Cenalia from Libya
Cenalia, 29, is a secondary school teacher from Libya with five years of experience. She holds both a diploma and a Bachelor of Education, has excellent English skills (CLB 11), and a brother living in Alberta. She has no Canadian work experience but wants to immigrate through the Education category-based draw.
Her CRS score is 489, which would have been high enough to receive an ITA in this year’s Education draws.
Example 2: Khin from Myanmar
Khin, 31, is a cybersecurity expert from Myanmar currently living in the US under temporary protected status. He has a PhD in computer science, speaks both English (CLB 9) and French (NCLC 7), and has three years of foreign work experience. Though he’s never worked in Canada, he’s aiming for either a STEM or French-language draw.
His CRS score is 535, which would qualify him for any of the year’s French-language draws.
Looking for Provincial Pathways? Consider the PNP
Another option is applying through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). While most PNP streams require a connection to the province—like work, study, or family ties—they offer significant benefits. For example, a nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score and accelerates your application processing.
Check out the Manitoba PNP for an example of how provincial programs can fast-track your path to Canadian PR.
Final Thoughts: Canada Welcomes You
If you’ve been impacted by the US immigration pause, don’t lose hope. Canada continues to offer a fair and accessible immigration system built on merit and inclusivity. Whether you’re a teacher in Libya, a tech expert in the US, or a healthcare worker elsewhere—Express Entry could be your pathway to a new life in Canada.
And the best part? It’s open to all nationalities.
Ready to find out where you stand?
