Education-Related Jobs Targeted by Canada’s Express Entry Draws

Key Takeaways

• Canada added an education category to Express Entry in 2025 targeting teachers and support staff shortages.
• Candidates need six months’ experience in one of five specific education NOC codes from the last three years.
• Education professionals may receive ITAs with lower CRS scores in regular draws throughout 2025.

Canada 🇨🇦 has taken a major step in 2025 by introducing a new education category within its Express Entry system. This move, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), aims to address urgent shortages of teachers and education support staff across the country. The following analysis explains the purpose and scope of this policy, how it works, who it targets, and what it means for education professionals hoping to build a life in Canada 🇨🇦.

Purpose and Scope

The main purpose of the new education category in Express Entry is to help Canada 🇨🇦 fill critical gaps in its education sector. Schools, daycare centers, and special education programs have reported ongoing shortages of qualified staff. By making it easier for education professionals to get permanent residency (PR), the government hopes to:

• Attract more skilled workers to classrooms and child care centers
• Support children’s learning and development
• Strengthen the education system for long-term social and economic growth

This policy is part of a wider effort to match immigration with real labor market needs and to give more temporary residents a path to permanent status.

Methodology: How the Education Category Works

The education category is now one of several targeted groups within Express Entry, alongside healthcare, trades, and French-language proficiency. Here’s how the process works for education professionals:

1. Eligibility Check: Candidates must have at least six months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in one of the five targeted education jobs within the last three years. This experience can be gained in Canada 🇨🇦 or abroad.
2. Express Entry Profile: Candidates create a profile on the IRCC Express Entry portal, selecting the correct National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for their job.
3. Ranking and Draws: Profiles are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points for age, education, work experience, and language skills. Category-based draws are held regularly, inviting top-ranked candidates in the education category to apply for PR.
4. Invitation to Apply (ITA): If selected, candidates receive an ITA and must submit a full PR application, including proof of work experience, education, and language test results.
5. Permanent Residency: Successful applicants and their families receive PR, allowing them to live and work anywhere in Canada 🇨🇦.

Key Findings and Data Overview

Targeted Occupations

In 2025, five education-related NOC codes are prioritized in Express Entry draws:

Visual Description: Imagine a table with five rows, each representing a different education job. Each row lists the NOC code, the main occupation, and several example job titles. This helps candidates quickly see if their job matches one of the targeted roles.

Minimum Requirements

• Work Experience: At least six months full-time (or equivalent part-time) in the last three years
• General Express Entry Eligibility: At least one year of skilled work experience, language proficiency, and recognized educational credentials
• Draw Frequency: IRCC has not published exact numbers, but draws for education professionals are expected to occur regularly throughout 2025

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Historical Context

• Express Entry began in 2015 as a points-based system for skilled immigration.
• Category-based draws were first introduced in 2023, focusing on healthcare, STEM, and trades.
• Education was added as a targeted category in 2025, following calls from school boards and education groups.

What’s New in 2025?

• Dedicated Education Category: For the first time, education professionals have their own Express Entry stream.
• Broader Recognition: Both Canadian and foreign work experience count toward eligibility.
• Lower CRS Thresholds: Education professionals may receive ITAs even with lower CRS scores, compared to general draws.

Patterns and Trends

• Growing Demand: Chronic shortages of teachers and support staff, especially in rural and Francophone communities, have driven this policy change.
• Regular Reviews: IRCC will continue to monitor labor market needs and may expand the list of targeted jobs in the future.
• Stakeholder Support: School boards, provincial governments, and immigration experts have welcomed the move, calling it a “game-changer” for the sector.

Data Presentation: Who Qualifies and How?

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Check Your NOC Code: Use the Government of Canada’s NOC search tool to confirm your job title and duties match one of the five targeted codes.
2. Create an Express Entry Profile: Register on the IRCC Express Entry portal and select the correct NOC code.
3. Prepare Your Documents:
   • Proof of work experience (reference letters, pay stubs)
   • Educational credentials (degrees, diplomas)
   • Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF)
4. Enter the Pool: Your profile will be ranked using the CRS.
5. Wait for a Draw: If you meet the criteria for the education category, you may receive an ITA.
6. Apply for PR: Submit your application within the deadline, including all required documents.

Note: For Express Entry, you may need to complete Form IMM 0008 (Generic Application Form for Canada) as part of your PR application.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

Policy Implications

• Faster Pathway to PR: Education professionals now have a much better chance of receiving an ITA, even if their CRS score is not as high as in previous years.
• Wider Eligibility: The policy recognizes both Canadian and foreign work experience, making it easier for international teachers and support staff to qualify.
• Direct Response to Shortages: By focusing on education, Canada 🇨🇦 is addressing a real and urgent need in its labor market.

Practical Effects

• For Immigrants: Teachers, early childhood educators, and support staff now have a clear, faster route to permanent residency.
• For Employers: Schools and daycare centers can expect more qualified staff to fill open positions.
• For Students and Families: More teachers and assistants mean better support for children’s learning and well-being.

Limitations and Considerations

While the new education category offers many benefits, there are some important limitations and things to keep in mind:

• Job Duties Must Match NOC Descriptions: Applicants must ensure their work experience closely matches the official NOC code descriptions. If there is a mismatch, applications may be refused.
• No Guaranteed Invitation: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an ITA. The number of invitations depends on the size and frequency of draws, as well as the number of candidates in the pool.
• Changing Criteria: IRCC may adjust the list of targeted occupations or eligibility rules based on labor market needs.
• Document Requirements: All documents must be accurate and complete. Missing or incorrect information can lead to delays or refusals.

Visual Summary Table

Below is a summary table of the five education jobs targeted in 2025 Express Entry draws:

Visual Description: Picture a simple chart with three columns: NOC code, occupation, and example job titles. Each row helps candidates quickly see if their job is included.

Comparisons with Other Categories

• Healthcare and Trades: Like education, these sectors have their own targeted draws due to shortages.
• French-Language Proficiency: Candidates with strong French skills also benefit from category-based draws.
• General Express Entry: Candidates not in a targeted category must compete based on overall CRS score, which can be much higher.

Trend: Category-based draws are becoming a key tool for Canada 🇨🇦 to fill specific labor market gaps.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Government

Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, stated that the new draws are meant to “align the selection of federal economic immigrants with Canada’s long-term labor shortages,” with education as a top priority.

Employers and Provinces

School boards and provincial governments have welcomed the change, especially in areas with chronic shortages. Rural and Francophone communities are expected to benefit the most.

Immigration Experts

Consultants and legal experts describe the new category as a “game-changer” for education professionals who previously struggled to compete in general draws due to lower CRS scores. However, they caution that candidates must ensure their job duties match the NOC descriptions to avoid refusals.

Future Outlook

• Regular Reviews: IRCC will keep monitoring labor market needs and may adjust the list of targeted jobs or eligibility rules.
• Possible Expansion: If shortages continue, more education-related NOC codes could be added in the future.
• Ongoing Consultation: The government will keep working with provinces, territories, and education sector representatives to refine the program.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

If you are an education professional interested in immigrating to Canada 🇨🇦 through Express Entry, here’s what you should do:

1. Check if your job matches one of the five targeted NOC codes.
2. Make sure you have at least six months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in the last three years.
3. Gather all necessary documents, including proof of work experience, educational credentials, and language test results.
4. Create an Express Entry profile on the IRCC Express Entry portal.
5. Monitor IRCC updates for draw dates and changes to eligibility.
6. If you receive an ITA, submit your PR application promptly and accurately.

For the most current information, always consult the official IRCC Express Entry page.

Conclusion

Canada’s new education category in Express Entry marks a major shift in how the country selects skilled immigrants. By focusing on teachers, early childhood educators, and support staff, the government is responding directly to real labor shortages and making it easier for education professionals to build a future in Canada 🇨🇦. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this targeted approach is expected to benefit not only immigrants and their families but also schools, students, and communities across the country.

While the new policy offers a faster and clearer path to permanent residency, candidates must pay close attention to eligibility requirements and ensure their experience matches the targeted NOC codes. With regular reviews and possible expansion, the education category is likely to remain a key part of Canada’s immigration strategy in the years ahead.

For more details, visit the official IRCC Express Entry portal and stay updated on the latest news and policy changes.

Learn Today

Express Entry → A Canadian immigration system that ranks and selects skilled workers for permanent residency based on point scores.
NOC Code → National Occupational Classification codes categorizing jobs used to determine eligibility for specific immigration paths.
CRS Score → Comprehensive Ranking System score assessing candidate’s age, education, experience, and language skills for Express Entry.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) → An official invitation given to Express Entry candidates to submit a permanent residency application.
Permanent Residency (PR) → Status allowing immigrants to live and work permanently in Canada with corresponding legal rights.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canada’s new 2025 Express Entry education category targets teacher shortages by easing permanent residency for qualified education professionals, recognizing both foreign and Canadian experience, and prioritizing five education occupations to strengthen the country’s labor market and education system with frequent draws scheduled throughout the year.
— By VisaVerge.com