[Published
17 Apr, 2025 | 04:16 AM]
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The Express Entry STEM category has undergone significant changes. In February 2025, 19 occupations were removed and 6 new ones were added. Now, only 11 occupations qualify under this category.
This means many foreign nationals no longer qualify, while others may now be eligible for the first time. Being eligible for a category-based Express Entry draw like STEM can significantly increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency (PR).
| Occupation | NOC Code |
| Architecture and science managers | 20011 |
| Civil engineering technologists and technicians | 22300 |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 |
| Geological Engineers | 21331 |
| Industrial and manufacturing engineers | 21321 |
| Insurance agents and brokers | 63100 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 22301 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 21301 |
To see if your work experience qualifies:
Step 1: Find your NOC code
Visit the Canada NOC website. Type your job title or keywords in the search bar. If you don’t find a match, try similar titles. Note the NOC code(s) that closely match your full-time work experience in the last 3 years (minimum 6 continuous months per role).
Step 2: Verify your job duties
Go to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website. Look up your NOC code and compare your job duties with the description provided. You must have done a substantial number of the main duties listed.
Step 3: Check STEM eligibility
Compare your NOC code(s) with the current list of eligible occupations under the STEM category. If there's a match and you meet the general Express Entry requirements (under CEC, FSWP, or FSTP), you’re eligible to be considered under the STEM Express Entry draw.
The following are the occupations that were added to the STEM category in February 2025, along with some alternate or example job titles.
| NOC Occupation Title | Example Job Titles |
| Civil engineering technologists and technicians | Bridge design technician Building materials technician Construction specifications writer Construction technologist Foundation technologist Highway technician Municipal engineering assistant Soil technologist - civil engineering Structural design technologist Structural investigator |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | Communications technologist Electricity distribution network technologist Electronics design technologist Electronics engineering technician Electronics engineering technologist Electronics manufacturing technician Electronics manufacturing technologist Lighting technologist Metering technologist Microwave maintenance technician Production support technician - electronics manufacturing |
| Geological Engineers | Geophysical engineer Hydrogeological engineer - engineering |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | Aeronautical technologist Heating designer Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technologist Machine designer Marine engineering technologist Mechanical technologist Mould designer Thermal station technician Tool and die designer Tool designer |
| Mechanical Engineers | Acoustics engineer Automotive engineer Design engineer - mechanical Energy conservation engineer Fluid mechanics engineer Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer Mechanical maintenance engineer Nuclear engineer Piping engineer Power generation engineer Refrigeration engineer Robotics engineer Thermal design engineer Tool engineer |
| Insurance agents and brokers | Insurance sales representative Insurance sales supervisor |
The following occupations have been removed from the STEM category:
| Job Title | NOC Code |
| Architects | 21200 |
| Business systems specialists | 21221 |
| Computer and information systems managers | 20012 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 21311 |
| Computer systems developers and programmers | 21230 |
| Data scientists | 21211 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 |
| Engineering managers | 20010 |
| Information systems specialists | 21222 |
| Land surveyors | 21203 |
| Landscape Architects | 21201 |
| Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries | 21210 |
| Metallurgical and materials engineers | 21322 |
| Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants, and program officers | 41400 |
| Software developers and programmers | 21232 |
| Software engineers and designers | 21231 |
| Urban and land use planners | 21202 |
| Web designers | 21233 |
| Web developers and programmers | 21234 |
If you’re eligible for a category-based draw, you have better chances of receiving an invitation to apply for Canada PR. This is because in such a draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only selects candidates who meet the category’s criteria - so these draws usually have a low CRS cut-off score that a general draw or a program-specific draw.
So, even if your CRS score isn’t high enough for a general or program-specific draw, you could still be invited if you work in an in-demand occupation in Canada.
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Read More: Major changes to Express Entry categories
Source: canada.ca
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