Canada is changing the rules to its Express Entry immigration program

The Canadian government has announced significant changes to its Express Entry immigration program this year.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed the new 2025 Express Entry categories on Thursday.

“Canada’s Express Entry system is evolving to meet the country’s changing needs,” reads a statement from Minister of Immigration Marc Miller.

“By addressing labour shortages, strengthening our economy and increasing Francophone immigration, we are building a more dynamic workforce with workers and professionals from in-demand fields.”

The IRCC says it will conduct category-based invitation rounds for the following new categories:

• French language proficiency
• Health care and social services
  
       – Family physicians
  
       – Nurse practitioners
  
       – Dentists
  
       – Pharmacists
  
       – Psychologists
  
       – Chiropractors
• Trades
• Carpenters
• Plumbers
• Contractors
• Education
  
       – Teachers
  
       – Child care educators
  
       – Instructors of persons with disabilities

The IRCC adds that for 2025, the federal economic class draws will focus on inviting candidates with work experience in Canada (Canadian Experience Class) to apply for permanent residence.

“As Canada makes adjustments to achieve well-managed, sustainable growth and economic prosperity for the long term, IRCC continues to focus economic immigrant selection efforts on priority sectors, such as health care, construction and education,” stated the department.

“This allows us to issue invitations to apply to prospective permanent residents who have specific skills, training or language abilities in order to bring those in-demand professionals to Canada.”

As seen in the new French language category, the IRCC reaffirms its commitment to supporting the economies of Francophone communities outside Quebec.

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship program for people seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

The government changed the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in 2022 to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic growth, like specific work experience or French language proficiency.