Pharmacists, social workers, and dental hygienists now have a better chance to get Canadian permanent residence (PR) through Express Entry!
On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced major updates to Express Entry categories. These changes include:
- A new Education category
- Removal of the Transport category
- Expansion of the Healthcare category to include Social Service jobs
Who Can Apply Under the New Healthcare and Social Services Category?
To qualify, you need at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) in a relevant job within the last three years.
What Jobs Are Eligible?
Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to categorize jobs. Below is the complete list of occupations eligible under this category (newly added jobs are 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 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 |
How to Check if You Qualify
Follow these 3 simple steps to find out if your work experience matches the eligible occupations:
- Find your NOC Code
- Visit the Government of Canada’s NOC website.
- Type your job title in the search bar.
- Take note of the NOC Code and TEER Level that match your role.
- Check Job Duties
- Visit the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website.
- Input your NOC Code.
- Compare your work experience with the “main duties” listed for that occupation.
- Verify Your Eligibility
- Go to the Express Entry Category-Based Selection Page.
- Check if your NOC Code is included under the Healthcare and Social Services category.
If your occupation is listed, you are likely eligible to apply under this category!
Why This Category Matters?
Category-based draws increase your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR because only people in that category are invited.
- Regular Express Entry draws require high CRS scores (524-549 in 2024).
- Healthcare-specific draws had lower CRS cut-offs (422-463 in 2024).
This means even if your CRS score isn’t high, you still have a good chance of getting invited!
1. What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an immigration system that manages applications for three programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
2. How often do category-based draws happen? They occur regularly, depending on Canada’s labor market needs.
3. What if I don’t qualify for this category? You can still apply for PR through:
- General Express Entry Draws
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
- Other immigration pathways
4. Can I apply directly for PR? No. First, you must submit an Express Entry profile and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
5. What happens after I receive an ITA? You have 60 days to submit your PR application with all required documents.
Final Thoughts
If you work in healthcare or social services, this could be your best chance to move to Canada! Check your eligibility today and take the first step toward your Canadian PR dream.
Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today!
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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.