Canada’s Express Entry system has introduced exciting updates in 2025, featuring a new education category designed to fast-track permanent residency for skilled professionals with experience in 5 key occupations. This targeted category aims to address critical staffing needs in schools, daycare centers, and specialized institutions across the country.
If you work as an early childhood educator, a secondary school teacher, or an instructor for individuals with disabilities, this new category could be your path to Canadian permanent residency.
An important point to note is that each National Occupational Classification (NOC) code under this category includes multiple job titles, expanding your chances of eligibility.
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In this article, we’ll break down the newly introduced education occupations for Express Entry draws and highlight the various job titles within each NOC code. Let’s explore the details so you can take full advantage of this immigration opportunity!
1. NOC 43100 – Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants
Role Overview: These professionals assist students and teachers with both instructional and non-instructional duties, such as personal care and behavior management. They work in public and private schools, as well as special needs and treatment centers.
Example Job Titles:
- Educational Assistant
- Educational Resources Assistant
- Homework Assistant
- Remedial Education Aide
- Special Education Assistant
2. NOC 42203 – Instructors of Persons with Disabilities
Role Overview: These instructors empower children and adults with disabilities by using specialized techniques to improve communication, rehabilitation, social skills, and independence. They work in rehabilitation centers, specialized schools, and general school systems.
Example Job Titles:
- Braille Instructor
- Instructor for Persons with Mobility Impairments
- Instructor for Persons Who Are Deaf
- Instructor for Persons Who Are Hard of Hearing
- Instructor for Persons with Learning Disabilities
- Instructor for Persons with Visual Impairments
- Instructor for Persons with Special Needs
- Lip-Reading Instructor
- Orientation and Mobility Instructor
- Sign Language Instructor
- Teacher for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
3. NOC 42202 – Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
Role Overview: Early childhood educators design and implement programs for children from infancy to age 12, while assistants provide supportive care under their guidance. These roles focus on fostering intellectual, physical, and emotional development in settings like daycare centers, kindergartens, and childcare agencies.
Example Job Titles:
- Child Care Worker – Daycare
- Child Care Worker Assistant
- Daycare Helper
- Daycare Supervisor
- Daycare Worker
- Early Childhood Assistant
- Early Childhood Education Worker
- Early Childhood Educator – Preschool
- Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
- Early Childhood Program Staff Assistant
- Early Childhood Supervisor
- Preschool Helper
- Preschool Supervisor
- Daycare Teacher
- Educator Assistant – Junior Kindergarten
4. NOC 41221 – Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers
Role Overview: These teachers provide foundational education in subjects like reading, writing, and math, or specialized areas like second languages in public and private elementary schools.
Example Job Titles:
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Elementary School Teacher
- French as a Second Language Elementary School Teacher
- French Immersion Teacher – Elementary School
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Primary School Teacher
- Remedial Teacher – Elementary School
- Special Education Teacher – Elementary School
- Special Education Teacher – Primary School
- Supply Teacher – Elementary School
- Teacher-Librarian – Elementary School
5. NOC 41220 – Secondary School Teachers
Role Overview: Secondary school teachers educate students in academic, technical, vocational, or specialized subjects at public and private high schools. This category also includes department heads.
Example Job Titles:
- Adult Education Teacher – Secondary School
- Biology Teacher – Secondary School
- Commerce Teacher – Secondary School
- English as a Second Language (ESL) High School Teacher
- English Teacher – Secondary School
- French as a Second Language Teacher – Secondary School
- History Teacher – Secondary School
- Librarian-Teacher – High School
- Remedial Teacher – Secondary School
- Secondary School Department Head
- Secondary School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher – Secondary School
- Supply High School Teacher
- Trades Instructor – Secondary School
- Vocational Teacher – Secondary School
The new education occupations list for Express Entry highlights an urgent demand for education professionals. By targeting these roles, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is creating opportunities for skilled workers from around the world to contribute to Canada’s classrooms and child-care systems. Whether you’re already in Canada or working internationally, this category could accelerate your path to permanent residency in 2025.
Why Is This Category Important for You?
The new education occupations list for Express Entry offers a significant opportunity for teachers, educators, and support staff looking to build a future in Canada. With a variety of job titles under each NOC code, this category broadens eligibility and provides a clear route to immigration success in 2025.
Who Qualifies for the Education Category in Express Entry?
To be eligible, you need at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in one of the listed occupations within the last 3 years. This experience can be from within Canada or abroad. You must also meet specific criteria as outlined in each Express Entry draw.
It’s important to note that to meet the general eligibility criteria for Express Entry, you must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in the last 3 years, either in a single occupation or a combination of related jobs.
Can I Gain Experience Outside Canada and Still Qualify?
Yes! As of March 13, 2025, you can gain the required 6 months of experience in an eligible occupation—whether inside or outside Canada—and still qualify for this category. However, keep an eye on updates from IRCC, as eligibility rules may change.
Ready to make your move? Start aligning your experience with these in-demand roles today and take the first step toward your Canadian permanent residency!
