Do You Qualify for Canada’s New STEM Express Entry Category in 2025?

Canada has made big changes to the Express Entry system's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category. If you're a skilled worker in a STEM field and looking to get permanent residency (PR) in Canada, this update could directly impact your chances.

In February 2025, the list of eligible occupations was updated—19 jobs were removed and six new ones were added. This means some people may no longer qualify, while others are newly eligible under this pathway.

Why Does This Matter?

Express Entry category-based draws give preference to candidates working in high-demand occupations. Qualifying under a specific category like STEM can help you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR, even if your CRS score isn’t very high.

Updated List of Eligible STEM Occupations (2025)

After the February 2025 update, the STEM category now includes the following 11 occupations:

Note: Your actual job title might differ from the NOC title, so focus on matching job duties, not just the name.

How to Check If You're Eligible

To qualify under the STEM category, you must:

• Have at least 6 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) continuous work experience in one of the eligible jobs within the last 3 years (in Canada or abroad).
• Meet the basic Express Entry criteria under one of these programs:
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Step-by-step Guide:

Step 1: Go to the Government of Canada’s NOC site and search for your job title using keywords.
Step 2: Find the NOC code that best matches your work experience.
Step 3: Read the job description and duties. You must have performed a substantial number of the listed responsibilities.
Step 4: Check if your NOC code is one of the 11 in the STEM category. If yes, you’re eligible!

What New Jobs Were Added in 2025?

Here are the newly added occupations and some example job titles:

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians (22300)

• Bridge Design Technician
• Highway Technician
• Structural Design Technologist

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (22310)

• Communications Technologist
• Electronics Design Technologist
• Production Support Technician

Geological Engineers (21331)

• Geophysical Engineer
• Hydrogeological Engineer

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (22301)

• HVAC Technologist
• Tool Designer
• Mechanical Technologist

Mechanical Engineers (21301)

• Robotics Engineer
• Nuclear Engineer
• Thermal Design Engineer

Insurance Agents and Brokers (63100)

• Insurance Sales Representative
• Insurance Sales Supervisor

What Jobs Were Removed in 2025?

The following jobs were removed from the STEM category:

• Software Developers and Programmers
• Computer Engineers (except Software Engineers)
• Architects
• Urban Planners
• Web Developers
• Data Scientists
• Database Analysts
  …and more (total of 19 occupations removed).

What’s the Benefit of Category-Based STEM Draws?

Category-based draws focus only on eligible job roles. As a result, the CRS cut-off score is often lower than general or CEC draws.

For example, in 2024:

• General draws had cut-offs between 524 to 549
• CEC draws were between 507 to 547
• But the STEM category draw had a lower cut-off of 491, with 4,500 candidates invited!

So, even with a CRS score below 500, you might still qualify for PR through a STEM draw if your job is in demand.

Final Thoughts

If you're a STEM professional and your job is on the updated list, this could be your golden chance to apply for Canadian PR. Start by checking your NOC code and verifying your experience aligns with the role. Express Entry is competitive, but targeting the right category can give you a real edge.