Federal Economic Priorities
The Federal Economic Priorities is made up of landings allocations under Express Entry (41,700). It includes candidates selected under categories that meet Canada’s demographic goals and labour market needs. Trade occupations, health occupations, and French language proficiency will be prioritized in 2025.
Category-Based Selections
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will focus more Express Entry draws on category-based selections. These selections are expected to align with Canada’s labour market priorities. Labour priorities are determined by the Federal Economic Priorities in the annual Immigration Levels Plan.
IRCC started holding category-based draws in 2023, to invite candidates according to specific classes. Candidate classes are based on their language abilities, skills, and training. The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan has designated priority categories to be targeted through express entry. These include:
- Trades occupations
- Healthcare occupations
- French language proficiency
Through their prioritized recognition, IRCC will conduct more draws of these sectors in 2025. They are designated as priority sectors under the Federal Economic Priorities allocation. The French proficiency category has seen various draws throughout 2024. We expect it to continue being a key Express Entry focus in 2025. This expectation is in light of Canada’s commitment to increase francophone immigrants outside Quebec.
Canada is targeting 8.5% of the immigrant admissions to the French proficiency category. In 2026, this target is expected to rise to 9.5% of admissions.
In addition to the prioritized categories, IRCC has more to choose from. These include the following:
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations
STEM field professionals can contribute to Canada’s innovative workforce. To qualify for the Express entry STEM category, candidates need Canadian or international experience. They need a minimum of a year’s full-time work experience in an eligible STEM occupation. This must be acquired within three years before the draw.
Transport Occupations
This includes professionals in passenger and freight transport.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
This category aims to attract candidates to address labour shortages in the agricultural sector.
