Through Express Entry’s revised category-based selection, dental hygienists, social workers, and pharmacists now have a better chance of getting Canadian permanent residence (PR).

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) changed Express Entry categories on February 27, 2025, adding an education category and deleting the Transport category. The current Healthcare category was also enlarged to cover social service jobs.

Jobs qualifying under the revised Healthcare and Social Services category

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) classifies all jobs in Canada. The list of admissible occupations under this category is as follows, with the newly added occupations italicized for 2025:

Health and social care categories

• Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 32104)
• Dental hygienists, dental therapists (NOC 32111)
• Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
• Social and community service workers (NOC 42201)
• Social workers (NOC 41300)
• General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102)
• Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses (NOC 31301)
• Physiotherapists (NOC 31202)

For a complete list, refer to the Government of Canada’s NOC website:

Determining Eligibility Based on Work Experience

To qualify under this category, candidates must have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equivalent part-time experience) in an eligible occupation within the last three years.

Steps to Verify Eligibility:

Confirm Your NOC Code

• Visit the Government of Canada’s NOC page and search your job title.
• Note the TEER level and NOC code.

Confirm Your Duties

• Cross-check your job responsibilities with the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website.
• Ensure your duties align with the NOC description.

Check category-based eligibility.

• Visit and confirm if your NOC is listed under Healthcare and Social Services on the Express Entry category-based selection page.

Express Entry Categories and PR Chances

Category-based draws are primarily focused on in-demand professions; therefore, it becomes easier for such professionals to receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. In 2024, the cut-off CRS score for general Express Entry draws benefited those with scores between 524 and 549, while healthcare occupation draws cited lower CRS cut-offs, ranging between 422 and 463.

How Express Entry Works

Foreign nationals first have to meet the requirements of one of the three Express Entry programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Following this, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) evaluates candidates based on their age, education, work experience, and language skills. The highest-ranked candidates are selected for ITAs through regularly held Express Entry draws.

IRCC has introduced six Express Entry categories in 2025:

1. Healthcare and Social Services
2. Education
3. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
4. Trade Occupations
5. Agriculture and agri-food
6. French-Language Proficiency

If your profession falls within the Healthcare and Social Services category, this update could improve your chances of receiving Canadian PR through Express Entry’s targeted draws.