Gaining work experience in certain occupations for as little as six months can significantly improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence (PR).
To benefit from these opportunities, candidates must acquire qualifying work experience in one of Express Entry’s occupation-based categories and wait for a category-specific draw in which they are eligible to be selected.
This article outlines the in-demand occupations under Express Entry’s current occupation-based categories, including:
- Healthcare and social services
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Skilled trades
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Education
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
What Are Category-Based Selections?
Category-based selections are Express Entry draws in which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for a specific category. These categories are established by the Minister of Immigration to address identified economic and demographic needs.
Categories may be based on:
- Work experience in specific occupations
- Official-language proficiency
- Other labour market or policy priorities
Even in category-based draws, IRCC continues to:
- Identify eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool;
- Rank them using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS); and
- Invite the highest-ranking eligible candidates.
Eligibility for Express Entry Occupation-Based Categories
To qualify for category-based selection under an occupation category, candidates must:
- Be eligible under one of Express Entry’s three programs and have an active Express Entry profile;
- Have accumulated at least six months of work experience (in Canada or abroad) within the past three years in a category-eligible occupation*; and
- Meet any additional requirements outlined in the ministerial instructions for the draw.
*The work experience requirement is higher for the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category.
Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
This category includes a range of regulated healthcare professionals—such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and therapists—as well as social services roles like social workers. IRCC identified this category as a priority in 2025.
- Most recent draw: December 11, 2025
- Number of draws in 2025: 7
- CRS cut-off range: 462–510
Understanding NOC Codes
Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used to categorize occupations based on standardized job descriptions. IRCC relies on NOC codes to assess immigration eligibility when work experience or occupation is a determining factor.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Occupations
The STEM category focuses largely on engineering roles, including engineering technologists and technicians, as well as occupations related to cybersecurity.
- Most recent draw: April 11, 2024
- Number of draws in 2025: None
- CRS cut-off range: 486–491
Skilled Trades Occupations
This category includes construction supervisors, industrial and mechanical trades, and select construction finishing roles. Skilled trades were designated as a priority category in 2025.
- Most recent draw: September 18, 2025
- Number of draws in 2025: 1
- CRS cut-off score: 505
Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
IRCC has narrowed this category over the past year. While it previously included three occupations, it now consists of only one eligible occupation.
- Most recent draw: February 16, 2024
- Number of draws in 2025: None
- CRS cut-off range: 354–437
Education Occupations
Introduced in 2025, the education category includes teachers as well as essential school and childcare support roles. IRCC designated education as a priority category during the year.
- Most recent draw: September 17, 2025
- Number of draws in 2025: 2
- CRS cut-off range: 462–479
Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
This is the newest Express Entry category, created specifically for physicians with qualifying Canadian work experience. The eligibility requirements differ from other occupation-based categories.
To qualify, candidates must:
- Have completed 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in Canada within the past three years; and
- Have worked in one of the eligible physician NOCs.
According to IRCC, invitations under this category are expected to begin in early 2026.
- Most recent draw: Not yet held
- Number of draws in 2025: N/A
- CRS score range: N/A
Priority Categories Can Change Each Year
Not all Express Entry categories receive the same level of attention every year. IRCC sets immigration priorities at the start of each year and aligns category-based draws accordingly.
For example, in its February 27, 2025 announcement, IRCC stated that it would prioritize:
- Francophone immigration; and
- Healthcare, skilled trades, and education occupations.
How IRCC Selects Express Entry Categories
IRCC determines occupation-based categories using:
- Labour market data and economic projections; and
- Input from provinces, territories, and other key stakeholders.
All categories are tied to broader demographic and labour market goals, including addressing worker shortages and supporting Canada’s official language objectives.
IRCC also reports annually to Parliament on:
- Which categories were selected;
- How and why they were chosen; and
- The number of invitations issued under each category.
How to Confirm Whether Your Work Experience Matches an Eligible NOC
When assessing NOC eligibility, the most important factor is your actual job duties—not your job title.
Each NOC includes:
- A description of the occupation;
- A list of main duties; and
- A TEER level (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) indicating the occupation’s skill level.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Right NOC
- Visit the official NOC website and select NOC 2021 Version 1.0.
- Search using your job title or a relevant NOC code.
- Compare your real job duties with the NOC’s listed main duties.
- Ensure your role does not fall under the “exclusions” section.
- If the duties do not closely match, repeat the process with another NOC.
- When preparing proof of work experience (such as reference letters), ensure your listed responsibilities closely align with the NOC’s main duties.
