Canada conducted the first Express Entry draw for education specialists

The first Express Entry draw for education professionals invited 1,000 candidates with a minimum score of 479 points. This opens up new opportunities for teachers.

On May 1, 2025, the first-ever Express Entry draw targeting Education Occupations took place. 1,000 candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 479, significantly lower than in general draws and provincial program selections. This opens up new opportunities for teachers, instructors, and other education professionals.

The new Education Occupations category was officially announced by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Mark Miller, on February 27, 2025. It's part of the updated list of priority Express Entry categories for 2025. This category aims to address Canada's pressing need for qualified educational staff and highlights the strategic importance of the education sector for the country's economy.

Want to know how many points you could score? Use our free CRS calculator and assess your chances!

As this is the first draw for the new category, there's no data for comparison with previous rounds. However, the number of invitations issued (1,000) and the relatively low cut-off score (479) indicate Canada's serious intention to attract a significant number of education professionals. For comparison, in the latest Provincial Nominee Program draw on April 28, 2025, the minimum score was 727, with 421 candidates invited.

Who can apply for immigration under the Education Occupations category?

To participate in the Education Occupations draw, candidates must:

Meet the requirements of one of the three Express Entry programs (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class);
Have at least 6 months of full-time work experience (or part-time equivalent) in the last 3 years in one of the education-related occupations;
Correctly indicate their work experience in the Express Entry profile using the appropriate NOC (National Occupational Classification) codes.

The Education Occupations category includes five main professional groups:

Secondary school teachers;
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers;
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants;
Early childhood educators and assistants;
Instructors of persons with disabilities.

Work experience can be obtained both in Canada and abroad.

The introduction of the Education Occupations category is part of Canada's broader immigration strategy for 2025-2027. According to Minister Miller's statement on February 27, 2025, the education sector is included in the list of priority areas along with healthcare, construction professions, and candidates with strong French language skills. This suggests that draws for this category will become regular in the coming years.