Major Adjustment to Canada’s Express Entry STEM Occupations: 6 New Jobs Added, 19 Removed
Structural and Strategic Shifts in STEM Occupation Categories
In response to evolving labor market needs, IRCC reevaluated the STEM occupation list in early 2025. The revision is not merely a reduction in occupation count but a significant redirection of policy priorities—from IT and data-centric fields to those focused on engineering applications, manufacturing technologies, and infrastructure. Only 11 occupations now remain in the prioritized STEM category, presenting new criteria for those pursuing permanent residency through skilled immigration.
Updated STEM Occupation List (2025 Edition)
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Architecture and science managers | 20011 |
| Civil engineering technologists and technicians | 22300 (New) |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 (New) |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 |
| Geological Engineers | 21331 (New) |
| Industrial and manufacturing engineers | 21321 |
| Insurance agents and brokers | 63100 (New) |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 22301 (New) |
| Mechanical Engineers | 21301 (New) |
Note: Applicants must use the Canadian government’s NOC system to match their actual job duties—not job titles—to the appropriate NOC codes.
How to Determine If You Qualify Under the STEM Category
Step 1: Verify Your Work Experience
You must have at least 6 months of full-time, continuous, relevant work experience (or equivalent part-time) in the past 3 years, and meet the criteria of at least one of the following Express Entry programs:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Step 2: Match the NOC Code
Visit the official Canadian NOC database, input keywords related to your job, and find the occupation whose duties align most closely with your actual role.
Step 3: Check If It’s on the STEM List
If the corresponding NOC code is on the 11 STEM-priority list, you may be eligible for a dedicated STEM draw in Express Entry.
Newly Added STEM Occupations & Example Job Titles
Below are the newly added occupations in 2025 with sample job titles to help you align your experience:
- 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; Electronics engineering technologist; Electronics manufacturing technician; Electronics manufacturing technologist; 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; Heating designer; Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technologist; Machine designer; Marine engineering technologist; Mechanical technologist; Mould designer; Thermal station technician; Tool and die designer; Tool designer
- Mechanical Engineers: Acoustics engineer; Automotive engineer; Design engineer - mechanical; Energy conservation engineer; Fluid mechanics engineer; Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer; Mechanical maintenance engineer; Nuclear engineer; Piping engineer; Power generation engineer; Refrigeration engineer; Robotics engineer; Thermal design engineer; Tool engineer
- Insurance agents and brokers: Insurance sales representative; Insurance sales supervisor
List of 19 STEM Occupations Removed
The following occupations are no longer part of the STEM category:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Architects | 21200 |
| Business systems specialists | 21221 |
| Computer and information systems managers | 20012 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 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, consultants, and program officers | 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 |
Why Is the STEM Category So Important?
STEM-targeted draws under Express Entry offer a competitive advantage in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). In 2024, general draws had minimum CRS cutoffs between 524 and 549, while STEM draws required only 491 points. A total of 4,500 applicants were invited through STEM-specific rounds, meaning even those with a CRS below 500 had a real shot—provided they worked in a qualifying occupation.
Conclusion
As Canada’s skilled immigration system continues to evolve, the Express Entry STEM category is becoming more aligned with real industry demands. For professionals in engineering, manufacturing, or mechanics, now is a crucial time to seize new opportunities. Staying informed of updated occupation lists, planning your path strategically, and accurately matching your experience to NOC codes are key steps toward achieving permanent residency in Canada.
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