Top Jobs for Express Entry Canada PR in 2025 Draws

Top Express Entry Occupations That Can Fast-Track Your Canadian Permanent Residency

If you’re dreaming about making Canada your permanent home, you may be closer than you think — especially if you’ve got experience in the right job. The Express Entry system now has category-based selections that prioritize candidates with experience in certain in-demand occupations. And the best part? In many cases, just six months of relevant work experience could significantly boost your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Let’s break down everything you need to know to take advantage of these immigration pathways — from which jobs fall under Express Entry’s priority lists to how to confirm your eligibility.

Key Highlights

• Express Entry now includes targeted job categories to fill Canada’s labour gaps.
• Applicants with six months of recent experience in a priority occupation may qualify for faster PR processing.
• Healthcare, STEM, trades, education, agriculture, and physician roles are currently prioritized.
• You must still meet core Express Entry requirements and rank well under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
• The new categories are based on labour market needs and may shift each year.
• Your experience must align with the duties listed under the correct NOC (National Occupation Classification) code.

What Are Category-Based Selections in Express Entry?

Category-based selections are targeted draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Express Entry system. These draws focus on candidates who meet specific criteria meant to address Canada’s economic and demographic goals.

For example, if you’ve worked in a high-demand occupation or have strong French-language proficiency, you could be selected in a draw dedicated to that group. Even though these draws are targeted, candidates are still ranked based on their CRS scores, and the highest-ranking eligible individuals receive an ITA.

Express Entry Eligibility for Occupation-Based Categories

To qualify for one of these job-specific Express Entry draws, you must:

• Be eligible for one of the three core Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, or FST) and have an active profile.
• Have at least six months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in the last three years in a qualifying occupation.
• Meet any additional criteria specified in the Ministerial Instructions for that draw.

Note: Physicians under the new Canadian Work Experience category need at least 12 months of full-time experience in Canada.

Healthcare and Social Services Occupations

This category includes regulated medical professionals like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and also social service roles such as social workers. Health and social service professionals were a top priority for Express Entry draws in 2025.

• Last Draw: December 11, 2025
• Total Draws in 2025: Seven
• CRS Cut-Off Range: 462 – 510

Some in-demand roles include:

• Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
• Physiotherapists (NOC 31202)
• Medical Laboratory Technologists (NOC 32120)
• Social Workers (NOC 41300)
• Pharmacists (NOC 31120)

STEM Occupations (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

STEM roles continue to be a cornerstone of Canada’s innovation economy. These occupations cover everything from engineering to cybersecurity.

• Last Draw: April 11, 2024
• Draws in 2025: None
• CRS Cut-Off Range: 486 – 491

Examples of targeted STEM jobs:

• Civil Engineers (NOC 21300)
• Cybersecurity Specialists (NOC 21220)
• Mechanical Engineering Technicians (NOC 22301)
• Electrical Engineers (NOC 21310)

Trade Occupations

Skilled trades are essential to Canada’s infrastructure and housing industry, and IRCC recognizes their importance by offering PR pathways to qualified tradespeople.

• Last Draw: September 18, 2025
• Total Draws in 2025: One
• CRS Cut-Off: 505

Some high-demand trades include:

• Plumbers (NOC 72300)
• Welders (NOC 72106)
• Electricians (NOC 72200)
• Cooks (NOC 63200)
• Carpenters (NOC 72310)

Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations

This category has become more refined and now includes only one occupation. Still, if you fit the bill, it’s an excellent opportunity due to its lower CRS threshold.

• Last Draw: February 16, 2024
• Draws in 2025: None
• CRS Cut-Off Range: 354 – 437

Eligible Job: Butchers – retail and wholesale (NOC 63201)

Education Occupations

Added in 2025, the education category recognizes the essential role of teachers and support workers in Canadian communities.

• Last Draw: September 17, 2025
• Total Draws in 2025: Two
• CRS Cut-Off Range: 462 – 479

Key roles in this category include:

• Elementary Teachers (NOC 41221)
• Secondary School Teachers (NOC 41220)
• Early Childhood Educators (NOC 42202)
• Teacher Assistants (NOC 43100)

Physicians with Canadian Work Experience

This unique category is specifically for doctors who’ve worked in Canada for at least 12 months full-time within the past three years. Though it’s new, it’s expected to start issuing invitations in early 2026.

Occupations include:

• General Practitioners (NOC 31102)
• Specialists in Surgery (NOC 31101)
• Clinical and Laboratory Medicine Specialists (NOC 31100)

Why Priority Categories Change Every Year

IRCC updates its category priorities annually based on current labour market needs and demographic targets. For example, in 2025, the emphasis was placed on healthcare, trades, education, and supporting Francophone immigration.

So, if your occupation isn’t currently listed, it’s worth checking back regularly as new categories can be added based on emerging needs.

How IRCC Decides Which Occupations to Prioritize

The government relies on labour market data, forecasts, and consultations with provinces and key stakeholders to decide which occupations to target. Their aim is to address skills shortages, support economic growth, and ensure a fair representation of both English and French-speaking immigrants.

How to Confirm If Your Job Matches a Category-Eligible NOC

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) is Canada’s system for classifying jobs. It’s not enough to just match the job title — your actual job duties must align with the official NOC description’s responsibilities.

Follow these steps:

• Visit the official NOC site and select NOC 2021 Version 1.0.
• Search using your job title or the NOC code from the Express Entry tables listed above.
• Compare the primary duties listed on the NOC page with what you actually did in your role.
• If your work closely matches — and you’re not included in the “exclusions” — then that’s likely the right NOC.

Pro tip: When submitting documents like reference letters, make sure your job duties clearly reflect the responsibilities shown on the NOC page.

Final Thoughts

Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve to meet the country’s needs — and that’s great news if you’re in one of the in-demand career