The most accessible occupations for immigrating through category-based Express Entry

Express Entry is changing — and for many people, that can mean a change of career direction.

Since 2023, Canada has been running category-based draws, prioritising candidates with work experience in strategic areas such as healthcare, education, construction, trade, agriculture and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). These rounds have significantly lower cut-off scores than the general ones, which makes them a realistic route for anyone without a high CRS score or a provincial nomination.

What do you need to be eligible?

To be invited in an occupation-based round, a candidate must:

• Qualify for one of the Express Entry programs (CEC, FSW or FST);
• Have at least 6 continuous months of work experience (full-time, or the part-time equivalent) within the last 3 years, in a single occupation belonging to the target category;
• Meet every specific criterion of the round in question.

Occupations with an easier entry point

Below are some TEER 3 occupations that require little formal training, or allow direct entry with on-the-job training, and that have been prioritised in recent rounds:

✅ Teaching assistant (NOC 43100)

• Category: Education
• Training: A technical course of 10 months to 2 years
• Median wage: $24.36/h
• Most recent cut-off: 479 (1 May 2025)
• SOWP eligible: Yes

✅ Insurance agent (NOC 63100)

• Category: STEM
• Training: A course plus a provincial licence (a few weeks or months)
• Median wage: $29.77/h
• Cut-off: 491 (April 2024)
• SOWP eligible: No

✅ Laboratory assistant (NOC 33101)

• Category: Healthcare
• Training: A technical course (1 to 2 years)
• Median wage: $26.35/h
• Cut-off: 510 (May 2025)
• SOWP eligible: Yes

✅ Nurse aide / patient service associate (NOC 33102)

• Category: Healthcare
• Training: Can start with secondary school and in-house training
• Median wage: $23/h
• SOWP eligible: Yes

✅ Pharmacy assistant (NOC 33103)

• Category: Healthcare
• Training: A technical course (6–12 months) or on-the-job training
• Median wage: $20/h
• SOWP eligible: Yes

✅ Cook (NOC 63200)

• Category: Trade
• Training: Experience plus a course or apprenticeship program
• Median wage: $17/h
• Cut-off: 433 (October 2024)
• SOWP eligible: No

✅ Construction occupations (painters, roofers, floor installers, and similar)

• Category: Construction
• Training: Direct entry possible with in-house training
• Median wages: From $26/h to $32/h
• SOWP eligible: Yes

A real example: Brian's case

Brian, 26, was working in Canada on a PGWP with a CRS of 470. Despite a solid profile, he was never invited in a CEC round. He then enrolled in an educational assistance course and worked for 6 months as a teaching assistant. That took his CRS to 505 and made him eligible for the Education round — which had a cut-off of just 479.

Conclusion

If you do not yet have a high CRS score, moving into a strategic occupation may be your most direct route to permanent residence. Many of these careers require only a short technical course, or allow you to start immediately with in-house training. They also meet the new eligibility requirements for spousal open work permits (SOWP).

📩 Need help working out whether your occupation qualifies, or which route to take? Talk to the Turas Immigration team and let's plan your path in Canada.