By Sanjay Prasher (SP) M.B.A, CICC,Member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultant (CICC),Member Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC),Gold Member Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants(CAPIC) , Published on April 16, 2025
Canada’s Express Entry system underwent major updates in February 2025, with 19 occupations removed and 6 new occupations added to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category. These changes reflect shifting labor market priorities—while some candidates no longer qualify, others now have a fresh pathway to permanent residency (PR).
If you’re a skilled professional eyeing Canadian immigration, here’s what you need to know:
The revised STEM category now includes 11 occupations, with new additions bolded below:
| Occupation | NOC Code | TEER Category |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture and science managers | 20011 | 0 |
| Civil engineering technologists/technicians | 22300 | 2 |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 | 1 |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 | 1 |
| Electrical/electronics engineering techs | 22310 | 2 |
| Electrical/electronics engineers | 21310 | 1 |
| Geological Engineers | 21331 | 1 |
| Industrial/manufacturing engineers | 21321 | 1 |
| Insurance agents/brokers | 63100 | 3 |
| Mechanical engineering technologists/techs | 22301 | 2 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 21301 | 1 |
Key Changes:
New additions: Roles like geological engineers and insurance brokers now qualify.
Removals: Tech jobs (e.g., software developers, data scientists) were cut .
Visit Canada’s NOC database.
Search your job title (e.g., "Civil Engineering Technologist").
Note the NOC code and compare duties (e.g., designing bridges vs. software).
You need:
6+ months of full-time work (or equivalent part-time) in the past 3 years.
Experience in Canada or abroad
Ensure you qualify for one of these programs:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 1+ year of Canadian work experience.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 1+ year of skilled work globally.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For tradesworkers.
General draws (2024): CRS 524–549.
STEM draws: CRS as low as 491 (4,500 ITAs issued in April 2024)
STEM draws prioritize candidates in your field, reducing competition vs. general draws.
If your occupation was removed (e.g., software developer):
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): BC Tech Pilot, Alberta AAIP Tech Stream.
General Express Entry: Improve your CRS score (e.g., boost language test results).
Yes—through general draws or PNPs. Some provinces (e.g., Ontario, BC) still nominate tech workers.
IRCC doesn’t announce schedules, but 2–3 STEM draws/year occurred in 2024
No. You must also meet Express Entry program criteria and score competitively.
No. Only the principal applicant’s experience counts .
Category-based draws are a new feature of Canada’s Express Entry system introduced in 2023. Instead of selecting candidates solely based on CRS scores, IRCC now holds draws targeting specific groups such as STEM professionals, healthcare workers, tradespeople, French speakers, and more. These Express Entry categories help Canada address targeted labor shortages more effectively.
The CRS cutoff varies by category and draw. For STEM category draws, the CRS score has generally been lower than in all-program draws. However, each round is different. The CRS cutoff for STEM professionals can range between 470–500, depending on the number of candidates and labor market needs at the time.
As of 2025, IRCC continues to issue category-based invitations for the STEM category, reflecting ongoing demand for science, tech, engineering, and math professionals. These updates allow skilled candidates to be invited even if their CRS score is below the traditional cutoff for general draws.
The STEM category includes a wide range of in-demand occupations such as:
Software developers and engineers
Computer programmers
Data analysts and scientists
Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers
Mathematicians and statisticians
Web developers
Cybersecurity specialists
For a complete list, refer to the official IRCC occupation list or contact us for personalized guidance.
You may qualify for the STEM category if you have:
A valid Express Entry profile
Recent work experience in a recognized STEM occupation
Proof of language proficiency (IELTS/TEF scores)
Educational credentials assessed by a recognized agency (ECA)
Contact us to assess your profile and see if your occupation qualifies for future category-based draws.
IRCC identifies eligible STEM candidates within the Express Entry pool based on their primary occupation (NOC code) and work history. If your job title matches a selected STEM occupation and you meet other criteria, you could be selected during a STEM category-based draw—even with a lower CRS.
To increase your chances:
Make sure your job title and NOC code align with the STEM occupations list
Keep your Express Entry profile updated
Improve your CRS score by upgrading your language results or gaining Canadian work experience
Get your educational credentials evaluated if you haven’t already
Confirm eligibility: Use our free CRS calculator.
Gather documents: Employment records, language test results.
Improve your profile: Retake language tests, gain Canadian experience.
Need help?
Need help evaluating your profile for STEM draws? Our expert consultant Sanjay Prasher is here to help.
As a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), I’ve helped 500+ STEM professionals navigate Express Entry. Book a consultation to strategize your application.
Obtaining and applying for Canadian citizenship can be a long and labour-intensive process as law changes very fast. We keep you posted on citizenship application requirements. We are your Citizenship application process immigration consultant.
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