The STEM category under Express Entry has changed significantly in the past two months, with 19 occupations removed and six new ones added.
As a result, many foreign nationals who previously qualified are no longer eligible, while others have only recently become eligible under the updated criteria.
Qualifying for a category-based Express Entry draw can be the deciding factor between obtaining Canadian permanent residency (PR) or not receiving an invitation to apply.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The occupations currently eligible under the revised 2025 STEM category
- How to determine your eligibility
Updated STEM Category Occupations – 2025
Following changes implemented in February 2025, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category now includes 11 occupations. These adjustments involved the removal of 19 occupations and the addition of six new ones. As a result, some individuals who previously qualified may no longer be eligible, while others may now meet the updated criteria.
Below is the list of occupations currently eligible under the 2025 STEM category, along with their corresponding National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes. Newly added occupations are highlighted in bold:
| 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 | 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 |
Note: Job titles may differ from the official NOC occupation titles. It’s important to match your duties and responsibilities with those listed under the relevant NOC code.
How to Check If You’re Eligible
To qualify under a category-based draw, you must have at least six months of continuous full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in one of the eligible occupations within the past three years. This experience can be gained either inside or outside of Canada.
To qualify for a category-based Express Entry draw, you must first meet the minimum eligibility requirements for one of the three federal immigration programs under Express Entry:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
If you meet the criteria for one of these programs, the next step is to determine whether your work experience aligns with any of the eligible occupations listed under the updated STEM category.
Step-by-Step Guide to Assessing Your Eligibility for the STEM Category
Step 1: Identify Your NOC Code
Visit the Government of Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) website to find the NOC code that best matches your work experience.
- Enter your job title or relevant keywords into the “Filter items” search bar.
- If your initial search doesn’t return results, try variations of your job title.
- Record the NOC code(s) that most accurately correspond to roles in which you’ve accumulated at least six months of continuous full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) within the past three years.
Step 2: Verify Job Duties with ESDC
Go to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website and select the “Search by NOC Code” tab.
- Look up each NOC code from Step 1.
- Review the sample job titles and the associated list of duties provided under each NOC profile.
- Carefully compare your work experience with the lead statement and main duties of the NOC. To be considered a match, you must have performed a substantial number of the core duties listed.
Step 3: Check STEM Category Eligibility
Cross-reference your verified NOC code(s) with the occupations listed under the updated 2025 STEM category.
- If at least one of your NOC codes appears in the eligible STEM list, you may be eligible for selection under the STEM-specific Express Entry draw.
Newly Added Occupations in the 2025 STEM Category
As of February 2025, several new occupations have been added to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category under Express Entry. Below is a list of the newly eligible occupations, along with alternate or example job titles that may fall under each role:
| 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, 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, HVAC Technologist, Machine Designer, Marine Engineering Technologist, Mould Designer, Thermal Station Technician, Tool and Die Designer |
| Mechanical Engineers | Acoustics Engineer, Automotive Engineer, Design Engineer – Mechanical, Energy Conservation Engineer, HVAC Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, Power Generation Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Thermal Design Engineer, Tool Engineer |
| Insurance Agents and Brokers | Insurance Sales Representative, Insurance Sales Supervisor |
Occupations Removed from the STEM Category (as of February 2025)
The following occupations were previously eligible under the STEM category but were removed in the February 2025 update:
| Job Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Architects | 21200 |
| Business Systems Specialists | 21221 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 20012 |
| Computer Engineers (except Software Engineers) | 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 and Consultants | 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 |
How Category-Based Express Entry Draws Can Improve Your Chances of PR
Being eligible for a category-based Express Entry draw can significantly improve your likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. This is because these draws are targeted, and only candidates who meet specific category criteria are invited. As a result, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-offs for these draws are typically lower than those in general or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, providing a better opportunity for qualifying applicants.
For example, in 2024, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores for general draws ranged between 524 and 549, while Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws had cut-offs between 507 and 547.
In contrast, the STEM category-based draw had a significantly lower CRS cut-off of 491, with 4,500 candidates receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
This means that even if your CRS score falls below the typical threshold for general or CEC draws—such as a score of 500—you may still receive an ITA if you have experience in a high-demand STEM occupation.
Do you qualify for Express Entry’s new STEM category? | CIC News
