Full List Of Occupations For Targeted Express Entry Draws In 2025

Last Updated On 12 March 2025, 9:39 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rolled out its highly anticipated 2025 Express Entry categories, introducing a groundbreaking education category alongside updates to existing occupation lists.

While we did publish the article enlisting addition and removal of occupations on February 27, many readers reached out asking for the full list of occupations now eligible for targeted Express Entry draws.

If you’re an immigrant seeking permanent residency in Canada, this could be your opportunity!

From healthcare to STEM, trades to agriculture, and now education, the updated categories reflect the diverse demands of Canada’s evolving economy.

Below is a comprehensive list of all occupations included in the 2025 Express Entry category-based draws, organized by occupational category.

Save it and share it to keep this list handy for 2025 Express Entry draws.

Full List of Occupations Eligible For Targeted Express Entry Draws 2025

Occupation	2021 NOC Code
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians	32104
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists	31112
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists	32123
Chiropractors	31201
Dental hygienists and dental therapists	32111
Dentists	31110
Dieticians and nutritionists	31121
General practitioners and family physicians	31102
Licensed practical nurses	32101
Massage therapists	32201
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations	33101
Medical laboratory technologists	32120
Medical radiation technologists	32121
Medical sonographers	32122
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates	33102
Nurse practitioners	31302
Nursing coordinators and supervisors	31300
Occupational therapists	31203
Optometrists	31111
Other medical technologists and technicians	32129
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating	31209
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment	32109
Paramedical occupations	32102
Pharmacists	31120
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants	33103
Pharmacy technicians	32124
Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals	31303
Physiotherapists	31202
Psychologists	31200
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses	31301
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists	32103
Social and community service workers	42201
Social workers	41300
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine	31100
Specialists in surgery	31101
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies	41301
Veterinarians	31103

2. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Category

Occupation	2021 NOC Code
Architecture and science managers	20011
Civil engineering technologists and technicians	22300
Civil engineers	21300
Cybersecurity specialists	21220
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	22310
Electrical and electronics engineers	21310
Geological engineers	21331
Industrial and manufacturing engineers	21321
Insurance agents and brokers	63100
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians	22301
Mechanical engineers	21301

3. Trade Category

Occupation	2021 NOC Code
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services	82021
Floor covering installers	73113
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)	73112
Roofers and shinglers	73110
Concrete finishers	73100
Other technical trades and related occupations	72999
Water well drillers	72501
Electrical mechanics	72422
Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics	72402
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics	72401
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics	72400
Bricklayers	72320
Cabinetmakers	72311
Carpenters	72310
Gas fitters	72302
Plumbers	72300
Industrial electricians	72201
Electricians (except industrial and power system)	72200
Welders and related machine operators	72106
Sheet metal workers	72102
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors	72100
Home building and renovation managers	70011
Construction managers	70010
Cooks	63200
Construction estimators	22303

4. Agriculture and Agri-Food Category

Occupation	2021 NOC Code
Butchers – retail and wholesale	63201

5. Education Category

Occupation	2021 NOC Code
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants	43100
Instructors of persons with disabilities	42203
Early childhood educators and assistants	42202
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers	41221
Secondary school teachers	41220

What Are Category-Based Draws?

Category-based selection is a tailored approach within the Express Entry system.

Unlike general draws, these rounds target candidates with specific skills, languages, or education that match Canada’s economic priorities.

The IRCC invites top-ranking candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residency based on:

1. Proficiency in English or French (with a special nod to French speakers).
“OR”
2. Work experience in high-demand occupations.

To qualify, candidates must meet Express Entry’s baseline requirements—eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC)—plus the specific criteria for each category.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.