New Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence for Education Professionals: Express Entry’s New Education Category
The Canadian immigration system has recently opened up an exciting new opportunity for foreign-trained education professionals to gain permanent residence (PR) in Canada through Express Entry. Starting February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a new education category under the Express Entry system, inviting candidates with specific job experience in the education sector. This new category aims to help professionals like schoolteachers, early childhood educators, and other education workers secure their place in Canada’s workforce.
Key Highlights of the New Education Category
- Category-Based Draws: These draws are specifically designed for education professionals, offering a pathway to permanent residency. They have the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-offs of any draw types within the Express Entry system.
- Priority Occupation: Education occupations are now considered a priority for invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in 2025, making it easier for skilled educators to immigrate.
- Eligibility: To be considered for the education category, applicants must have at least six months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in an eligible occupation within the last three years.
Eligible Occupations Under the Education Category
Under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, occupations are ranked based on the level of education, training, and experience required for the role. The following table outlines the eligible job titles, along with their corresponding NOC codes and TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) levels:
| Job Title | NOC Code | TEER Level |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 | 3 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | 2 |
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 | 1 |
| Secondary school teachers | 41220 | 1 |
Example Job Titles for Eligible Occupations:
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants: Educational Assistant, Special Education Assistant, Homework Assistant.
- Instructors of Persons with Disabilities: Braille Instructor, Sign Language Instructor, Mobility Impairment Instructor.
- Early Childhood Educators and Assistants: Daycare Supervisor, Early Childhood Educator (ECE), Preschool Teacher.
- Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers: Remedial Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Primary School Teacher.
- Secondary School Teachers: Biology Teacher, History Teacher, High School Librarian.
These occupations fall under the TEER levels ranging from 1 to 3, with TEER 1 requiring the highest level of training and experience.
How to Check Your Eligibility for the Education Category
To be considered under this new education category, foreign nationals must meet the following criteria:
- Work Experience: You must have accumulated at least six months of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a category-eligible occupation within the past three years.
- Express Entry Profile: To participate in the Express Entry pool, you must create a valid Express Entry profile under one of the three IRCC-managed programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
- Determine Your NOC Code: You need to determine the NOC code that most accurately reflects your work experience. This is crucial in verifying your eligibility for the education category.
To determine if your job experience qualifies, you can visit the Government of Canada’s NOC page. Simply search for your job title and compare it with the listed occupations under the education category.
How Express Entry Category-Based Draws Work
Canada’s Express Entry system manages three key immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates need to meet the eligibility criteria for one of these programs to create an Express Entry profile. Once a profile is submitted, candidates are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on their qualifications and experience.
- Draw Types: Express Entry draws occur bi-weekly and can be:
- Program-Specific
- General
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-Based
- Category-Based
Category-based draws invite candidates who meet specific job experience criteria within an eligible occupation, like the education category. These draws often have lower CRS cut-off scores compared to others, due to the smaller pool of candidates.
Eligibility for Category-Based Draws
- High CRS Score: Candidates must have a CRS score that meets or exceeds the cut-off for the category-based draw.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: Candidates must have created their profile before the tie-breaking rule cut-off time.
- Complete Application: If invited, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
Conclusion
The introduction of the education category under Express Entry opens new doors for foreign-trained education professionals to settle in Canada. With the low CRS score requirements and clear eligibility criteria, it’s a significant opportunity for individuals working in the education sector to gain Canadian permanent residency.
If you work in one of the eligible education occupations and have the required work experience, this could be your chance to immigrate to Canada under the new category-based draws.
For more details on your eligibility, visit the NOC page and check your job title against the eligible occupations listed.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
