Pharmacists, social workers, and dental hygienists can now qualify for Express Entry’s category-based draws, improving their chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residence (PR).
Key Changes to Express Entry Categories in 2025
On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced major updates to Express Entry categories, particularly to the Express Entry’s category-based draws. Alongside adding a new Education category and removing the Transport category, IRCC expanded the Healthcare and Social Services category to include more occupations.
Below is the full list of eligible occupations, with newly added roles highlighted in bold:
| Job Title | 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 co-ordinators 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 |
How to Check If Your Work Experience Qualifies
To be eligible for the Healthcare and Social Services category, under Express Entry’s category-based draws, you must have:
- At least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or equivalent part-time) in one of the listed occupations within the last 3 years.
Step-by-Step Guide to Verify Eligibility
Step 1: Find Your NOC Code
- Visit the Government of Canada’s NOC page.
- Use the “Filter items” search bar to find your job title.
- If your exact title isn’t listed, try variations (e.g., “dietary technician” instead of “nutrition assistant”).
- Note the TEER number and NOC code that best matches your role.
Step 2: Confirm Duties on ESDC Website
- Go to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) NOC page.
- Click “Search by NOC Code” and enter your code.
- Check if your job duties align with the main duties listed.
Step 3: Cross-Check with IRCC’s Category List
- Visit the Express Entry category-based selection page.
- Select “Healthcare and Social Services Occupations”.
- If your NOC code and job title appear, you likely qualify!
Newly Eligible Occupations & Example Job Titles
| NOC Occupation Title | Example Job Titles |
|---|---|
| Dental hygienists and dental therapists | Dental nurse |
| Other medical technologists and technicians | Dietary technician, Ocularist, Prosthetist |
| Pharmacists | Pharmacy technician supervisor |
| Social and community service workers | Addictions worker, Community service worker, Mental health worker, Youth worker |
| Social workers | Medical social worker, Psychiatric social worker, Social work supervisor |
Why Category-Based Draws Improve PR Chances
If you qualify for a category-based draw, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with a lower CRS score than in general draws.
CRS Score Comparison (2024 Examples)
- General Draws: 524–549
- Healthcare Draws: 422–463
This means candidates with moderate CRS scores but in-demand occupations have a higher chance of receiving an ITA.
How Express Entry Works
Express Entry manages three federal immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Process Overview:
- Check Eligibility – Meet criteria for at least one program.
- Submit Profile – Get ranked via the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
- Receive ITA – Top-scoring candidates are invited in draws.
- Apply for PR – Submit a complete application within 60 days.
Types of Express Entry Draws:
- General (all eligible candidates)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Program-Specific (CEC, FSWP, FSTP)
- Category-Based (targeting in-demand occupations)
2025 Express Entry Categories:
- Healthcare and Social Services
- Education
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
- Trade
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- French-Language Proficiency
Final Thoughts
If you work in healthcare or social services, the 2025 updates could be your best opportunity yet for Canadian PR. Verify your NOC code, ensure your experience matches, and boost your Express Entry profile today!
For more details, visit the official IRCC website.
