Category-Based Selection in Express Entry: What You Should Know in 2025
What Is Category-Based Selection?
Under Canada’s Express Entry system, in addition to the standard “general” and “program-specific” invitation rounds, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses category-based rounds of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to target candidates who meet a specific set of criteria. These are designed to support Canada’s economic priorities by selecting candidates based on skills, work experience or language proficiency rather than solely on the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
Key features include:
Candidates must first create an Express Entry profile and meet eligibility for one of the three federal economic programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class).
Candidates who meet a category criterion defined by the Minister are ranked by CRS and then may be invited.
The category-based rounds are supplementary to general draws. If enough high-scoring candidates qualify without needing category-based selection, IRCC may not hold a category round.
Which Categories Are Currently in Use?
For 2025, IRCC has identified six main categories for category-based selection:
French-language proficiency
Healthcare and social services occupations
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
Trade occupations
Agriculture and agri-food occupations
Education occupations
Among these, priority categories that receive greater attention include French-language proficiency, healthcare & social services, trades, and education.
Why This Matters to Applicants
These category-based rounds change the “game” for many candidates because:
CRS thresholds may be lower than general draws if you qualify under a targeted category.
They enable IRCC to align immigration with Canada’s labour-market needs (for example, more nurses, tradespeople, French-speakers outside Quebec).
Being eligible for a category gives you an additional “road” to an ITA beyond just having a very high CRS score.
If you qualify under one of the specified categories, your pathway to an ITA may be more accessible than expecting only the top CRS scores in general draws.
How to Improve Your Chances of Being Selected
Here are actionable steps if you want to position yourself for a category-based draw:
Ensure your Express Entry profile is complete and up-to-date. This includes education credentials (with assessments), language test results, and detailed, verified work experience.
Aim to qualify under one of the priority categories. For example, if you are in healthcare, trades, education or are a strong French speaker, explore the related criteria and ensure you meet them.
Consider provincial nomination programs (PNPs). Many provinces align their streams with category-based draws, and obtaining a provincial nomination may give you +600 CRS points.
Improve your language skills. Strong language proficiency (in English and/or French) boosts your CRS and may make you eligible for the French-language category.
Gain Canadian-work experience, especially in sectors identified by IRCC’s categories. This may increase your eligibility for category rounds.
Final Thoughts
The category-based selection model under Express Entry offers new opportunities for applicants whose backgrounds align with Canada’s labour and linguistic-diversity goals. By understanding which categories are prioritized and making your profile category-ready, you can strengthen your pathway towards a permanent residency invitation.
To learn more information or seek legal advice, please do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced law firm at rharding@hardingimmigrationlaw.com or book a consultation here.
