Canada’s immigration system continues to evolve, creating new opportunities for skilled professionals worldwide. One of the latest updates under the Express Entry system is the inclusion of education professionals in category-based draws, offering a fresh pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence (PR). This change is particularly significant for Indian applicants, as many trained teachers and early childhood educators seek better career prospects abroad.
In this article, we will analyze:
- The occupations now included in the education category
- How to determine if your work experience qualifies
- How Express Entry education category-based draws work
- The broader impact of this policy on the Indian education sector
Understanding Canada’s Express Entry System
The Express Entry system is the backbone of Canada’s economic immigration framework. It manages three major programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – For those with Canadian work experience
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – For professionals with foreign work experience
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – For skilled tradespeople
Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assesses factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. While general draws prioritize the highest-ranking candidates, category-based draws focus on specific occupations facing labor shortages in Canada.
Why Has Canada Prioritized Education Professionals?
On February 27, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new Education Occupations Category under Express Entry. The goal is to address Canada’s increasing demand for educators, especially with rising student enrollments and teacher shortages.
According to Statistics Canada, the country is projected to need over 20,000 additional early childhood educators by 2030, and demand for elementary and secondary teachers continues to grow due to an aging workforce. The inclusion of educators in Express Entry’s category-based draws ensures that skilled foreign professionals can fill these gaps.
Occupations Eligible Under the Education Category
Canada categorizes its occupations using the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. The new education category includes the following professions:
| 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 |
The TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) system ranks occupations based on the level of education and experience required. For example, TEER 1 roles, such as secondary school teachers, require a university degree, while TEER 3 roles, like teacher assistants, require college diplomas or apprenticeship training.
How to Determine If Your Work Experience is Eligible
To qualify under the education category, applicants must:
- Maintain a valid Express Entry profile.
- Have at least six months of full-time work experience (or an equivalent part-time experience) within the last three years in one of the eligible occupations.
To confirm eligibility, applicants should identify their correct NOC code by:
- Searching the Government of Canada’s NOC website using their job title.
- Reviewing the primary duties listed for each NOC code to ensure alignment with their job responsibilities.
- Cross-referencing the code with the list of eligible education occupations.
If your job duties match, you are likely eligible to apply under this category.
How Category-Based Express Entry Draws Work
Unlike general Express Entry draws, which invite candidates based purely on CRS scores, category-based draws prioritize individuals with relevant work experience. Since 2023, category-based draws have typically had lower CRS cut-offs, making it easier for professionals in high-demand occupations to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Candidates interested in education category-based draws should:
- Create an Express Entry profile and indicate their relevant work experience.
- Ensure their CRS score is competitive—although category-based draws have lower cut-offs, a higher score increases selection chances.
- Monitor Express Entry draw announcements and apply promptly when an ITA is received.
Once selected, candidates must submit their permanent residency application within 60 days.
What This Means for Indian Applicants
India is one of the largest sources of skilled immigrants to Canada. Many Indian educators, especially in early childhood education and special education, meet the eligibility criteria for this new category. However, they must also demonstrate language proficiency (IELTS/CELPIP) and ensure their academic credentials are recognized in Canada through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Canada’s education category-based Express Entry draws present a golden opportunity for Indian teachers and educators to immigrate with a streamlined process. As teacher shortages continue in Canada, professionals with relevant experience can benefit from a more accessible PR pathway, especially compared to traditional high-CRS score draws.
For those interested, staying updated on Express Entry draws, preparing strong applications, and ensuring NOC alignment is key to success in this immigration route.
