IRCC proposes new Express Entry categories for 2025 draws. Know what to expect to prepare yourself for immigration.

Canada Proposes New Express Entry Categories for 2025

Post by : Admin on Aug 09,2024

IRCC opened public consultations from 27th June 2024 to 28th July 2024 to discuss the new Express Entry categories. They also reviewed the existing categories and set new priorities for the selection of candidates through the Express Entry (EE) system. Let’s take an in-depth look at the Express Entry public consultation and the new categories they might introduce for the draws in 2025.

What is the Express Entry System?

Introduced in 2015 by the Canadian Government, the Express Entry system is an online application management system for immigrants to submit their permanent residence applications.

Potential candidates should be first eligible for any one of the federal economic immigration programs:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • The Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • The Canadian Experience Class

Eligible candidates can create an online profile in the EE system. The profile consists of information about their work experience, skills, education, language ability, etc. The IRCC scores each profile based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidate gets an invitation to apply for permanent residence through regular draws, usually every two weeks.

Candidates who received the invitations have 60 days to submit a complete application for PR. The Canadian Government reviews the applications and sends a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to the eligible candidates. The entire process takes around six months or less.

What about the Express Entry Category-Based Selection System?

Introduced in 2023, the category-based selection system is the process through which Canada targets specific groups of candidates who can help bridge the country’s labour market and economic gaps. The categories could be occupations, language proficiency, work experience, skills and other criteria. These category-based selections form an integral part of the broader Express Entry framework.

CLB level 7 proficiency in the French language

Or,

At least 6 months of work experience in the below-mentioned occupations:

  • Transportation
  • Healthcare
  • Agriculture and agri-food
  • STEM
  • Trade

 No changes were made to these categories in 2024.

IRCC, however, opened public consultations between 27th June and 28th July to review these categories and introduce a new one for 2025 Express Entry draws. Feedback from partners and stakeholders will decide the fate of the existing and new Express Entry categories.

 

What are the Express Entry Priorities set by IRCC for 2025?

The new Express Entry categories 2025 are to determined on the basis of three priorities set by IRCC:

(1st Priority) Structural Labour Shortages

IRCC wants to address the labour shortages in the existing occupation-based categories in 2025. Doing so will help Canada offer health services to its citizens and their families and improve the country’s housing supply.

They are collecting real-time evidence from stakeholders and partners to understand the urgency of each category. This will help them decide whether to discontinue any of the occupation-based categories in 2025.

IRCC is also deciding on who to send the invites for the occupation-based categories in 2025. It can be the temporary residents who are living in Canada already or new skilled workers from outside.

Check out the surveys done under this priority

Rating all occupation-based categories based on the following:

  • Great need
  • Average need
  • Little need
  • No need at the time
  • Not sure/don’t know

2 reasons why IRCC should focus on temporary residents to address the labour shortages

  • Time taken to integrate them into the Canadian labour market
  • Time taken to recognize international education and experience
  • Work experience or education in Canada
  • Acknowledging the contributions made by the ones already living in Canada
  • Pressures related to population growth that impact Canadian communities
  • Others. Please specify.

2 reasons why IRCC should focus on hiring new skilled workers from outside to address the labour shortages

  • New skilled workers boost the country’s economy
  • Temporary residents who are currently living in Canada will get access to multiple immigration pathways
  • Grant them PR on the basis of their Canadian experience and education
  • Qualified residents in Canada already meet the needs
  • Others. Please specify.

The possible introduction of a new education-based category in 2025

IRCC is most likely to introduce a new category for education. It would depend on the following factors:

  • The severity of labour shortages in this particular sector
  • How does permanent economic immigration impact the above?

Here are the occupations IRCC may include as a new category of education:

  • Instructors for people with disabilities
  • Kingergarten teachers
  • Elementary school teachers
  • Secondary school teachers
  • Early childhood assistants and educators
  • Secondary and elementary school teacher assistants
  • Educational counsellors

The surveys also discuss if any other occupations need to be added to the above list. It is yet to be decided the criteria for the selection of candidates in this category.

(2nd Priority) Francophone Immigration

Francophone immigration helps meet the labour needs of bilingual and French-speaking workers in Canada. IRCC plans to target 6%, 7% and 8% of French-speaking permanent residents in 2024, 2025 and 2026 respectively.

(3rd Priority) Current labour needs in crucial industries

IRCC is going to focus on emerging labour needs throughout Canada and introduce new occupational categories accordingly. Here are some of the potential occupational categories you can expect in 2025:

  • Applied sciences such as biomanufacturing
  • New technologies such as eco-friendly technology
  • Natural resources such as the production of electric vehicle battery

IRCC is yet to decide if they want temporary residents already living in Canada or new skilled workers from outside for this priority.

Stay Informed with your Immigration Consultant

The proposed new Express Entry categories for 2025 reflect the proactive approach to address Canada’s economic and labour market needs. This forward-thinking approach underscores Canada’s dedication to maintaining a robust and dynamic immigration system that benefits both newcomers and the nation as a whole. You should stay informed on all the updates with your immigration consultant to make the most of the opportunities here.


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