There are a number of in-demand occupations in Canada that can qualify you for a category-based draw under Express Entry, and\/or qualify your spouse for a spousal open work permit (SOWP).<\/p>\n
If you qualify for a category-based draw, you\u2019ll have a greater chance of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency (PR) through Express Entry.<\/p>\n
See how competitive your Express Entry profile is Furthermore, only certain TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations will allow your spouse to qualify for a spousal open work permit<\/a> \u2013 if you are working in Canada<\/a> on a certain type of work permit<\/a>.<\/p>\n In this article, we review the latest official government data on job vacancies, so you can see which in-demand jobs can boost your chance of success in Express Entry<\/a>, and (in the case of TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations) which in-demand jobs provide for SOWP eligibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n The figures presented in this article are from a Statistics Canada report published on June 26, 2025.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s three most in-demand sectors<\/p>\n The top three most in-demand sectors and industries in Canada as of April 2025, based on job vacancy rates published by Statistics Canada, are as follows:<\/p>\n Health care and social assistance (4.1%); Vacancy rates in low-demand sectors are below 2%.<\/p>\n Category-based draws<\/p>\n You can increase your chances of receiving an ITA<\/a> for Canadian PR<\/a> if you qualify for a category-based draw<\/a>.<\/p>\n To be considered for a category-based draw, you must have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience in an eligible occupation.<\/p>\n Below are the National Occupational Classification<\/a> (NOC) codes eligible for category-based selection, aligned and organized by the sectors with the highest job vacancy rates.<\/p>\n Job vacancy sector 1: Health care and social assistance<\/p>\n The following occupations all fall under the health care and social services<\/a> Express Entry category.<\/p>\n \tOccupationNOC code<\/p>\n \tAnimal health technologists and veterinary technicians32104<\/p>\n \tAudiologists and speech language pathologists31112<\/p>\n \tCardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists32123<\/p>\n \tChiropractors31201<\/p>\n \tDental hygienists and dental therapists32111<\/p>\n \tDentists31110<\/p>\n \tDieticians and nutritionists31121<\/p>\n \tGeneral practitioners and family physicians31102<\/p>\n \tLicensed practical nurses32101<\/p>\n \tMassage therapists32201<\/p>\n \tMedical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations33101<\/p>\n \tMedical laboratory technologists32120<\/p>\n \tMedical radiation technologists32121<\/p>\n \tMedical sonographers32122<\/p>\n \tNurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates33102<\/p>\n \tNurse practitioners31302<\/p>\n \tNursing coordinators and supervisors31300<\/p>\n \tOccupational therapists31203<\/p>\n \tOptometrists31111<\/p>\n \tOther medical technologists and technicians32129<\/p>\n \tOther professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating31209<\/p>\n \tOther technical occupations in therapy and assessment32109<\/p>\n \tParamedical occupations32102<\/p>\n \tPharmacists31120<\/p>\n \tPharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants33103<\/p>\n \tPharmacy technicians32124<\/p>\n \tPhysician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals31303<\/p>\n \tPhysiotherapists31202<\/p>\n \tPsychologists31200<\/p>\n \tRegistered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses31301<\/p>\n \tRespiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists32103<\/p>\n \tSocial and community service workers42201<\/p>\n \tSocial workers41300<\/p>\n \tSpecialists in clinical and laboratory medicine31100<\/p>\n \tSpecialists in surgery31101<\/p>\n \tTherapists in counselling and related specialized therapies41301<\/p>\n \tVeterinarians31103<\/p>\n Job vacancy sector 2: Accommodation and food services<\/p>\n \tOccupationNOC codeExpress Entry category<\/p>\n \tButchers \u2013 retail and wholesale63201Agriculture and agri-food<\/p>\n \tCooks63200Trades<\/p>\n Job vacancy sector 3: Construction\/trades<\/p>\n The following occupations all fall under the trades<\/a> Express Entry category.<\/p>\n \tOccupationNOC code<\/p>\n \tBricklayers72320<\/p>\n \tCabinetmakers72311<\/p>\n \tCarpenters72310<\/p>\n \tConcrete finishers73100<\/p>\n \tConstruction estimators22303<\/p>\n \tConstruction managers70010<\/p>\n \tConstruction millwrights and industrial mechanics72400<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services82021<\/p>\n \tElectricians (except industrial and power system)72200<\/p>\n \tElectrical mechanics72422<\/p>\n \tFloor covering installers73113<\/p>\n \tGas fitters72302<\/p>\n \tHeating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics72402<\/p>\n \tHeavy-duty equipment mechanics72401<\/p>\n \tHome building and renovation managers70011<\/p>\n \tIndustrial electricians72201<\/p>\n \tMachinists and machining and tooling inspectors72100<\/p>\n \tOther technical trades and related occupations72999<\/p>\n \tPainters and decorators (except interior decorators)73112<\/p>\n \tPlumbers72300<\/p>\n \tRoofers and shinglers73110<\/p>\n \tSheet metal workers72102<\/p>\n \tWater well drillers72501<\/p>\n \tWelders and related machine operators72106<\/p>\n Spousal open work permits<\/p>\n Spouses and common-law partners of those working in TEER 0 or 1 occupations or select TEER 2 or 3 occupations (in certain in-demand sectors) may be eligible to apply for a spousal open work permit.<\/p>\n Two sectors with high job vacancy rates fall into eligible in-demand sectors to obtain a spousal work permit: health care and construction\/trades.<\/p>\n Schedule a Free Spousal Open Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm Below are occupations and NOC codes for TEER 2 and 3 occupations that could correspond to the health care and construction\/trades sectors.<\/p>\n Health care and social assistance<\/p>\n TEER 2 occupations<\/p>\n \tOccupationNOC Code<\/p>\n \tAnimal health technologists and veterinary technicians32104<\/p>\n \tCardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists32123<\/p>\n \tDental hygienists and dental therapists32111<\/p>\n \tDental technologists and technicians32112<\/p>\n \tDenturists32110<\/p>\n \tLicensed practical nurses32101<\/p>\n \tMedical laboratory technologists32120<\/p>\n \tMedical radiation technologists32121<\/p>\n \tMedical sonographers32122<\/p>\n \tOther medical technologists and technicians32129<\/p>\n \tOther technical occupations in therapy and assessment32109<\/p>\n \tParamedical occupations32102<\/p>\n \tPharmacy technicians32124<\/p>\n \tRespiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists32103<\/p>\n \tTraditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists32200<\/p>\n \tMassage therapists32201<\/p>\n \tOther practitioners of natural healing32209<\/p>\n TEER 3 occupations<\/p>\n \tOccupationNOC Code<\/p>\n \tDental assistants and dental laboratory assistants33100<\/p>\n \tMedical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations33101<\/p>\n \tNurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates33102<\/p>\n \tOther assisting occupations in support of health services33109<\/p>\n \tPharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants33103<\/p>\n Schedule a Free Spousal Open Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm Construction\/trades<\/p>\n TEER 2 occupations<\/p>\n \tOccupationNOC code<\/p>\n \tAir pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors72600<\/p>\n \tAir traffic controllers and related occupations72601<\/p>\n \tAircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors72404<\/p>\n \tAppliance servicers and repairers72421<\/p>\n \tAuto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators72411<\/p>\n \tAutomotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers72410<\/p>\n \tBoilermakers72103<\/p>\n \tBricklayers72320<\/p>\n \tCabinetmakers72311<\/p>\n \tCarpenters72310<\/p>\n \tConstruction millwrights and industrial mechanics72400<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, carpentry trades72013<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations72011<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews72021<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations72010<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, mechanic trades72020<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers72014<\/p>\n \tContractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades72012<\/p>\n \tCrane operators72500<\/p>\n \tDeck officers, water transport72602<\/p>\n \tElectrical mechanics72422<\/p>\n \tElectrical power line and cable workers72203<\/p>\n \tElectricians (except industrial and power system)72200<\/p>\n \tElevator constructors and mechanics72406<\/p>\n \tEngineer officers, water transport72603<\/p>\n \tGas fitters72302<\/p>\n \tHeating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics72402<\/p>\n \tHeavy-duty equipment mechanics72401<\/p>\n \tIndustrial electricians72201<\/p>\n \tInsulators72321<\/p>\n \tIronworkers72105<\/p>\n \tMachine fitters72405<\/p>\n \tMachinists and machining and tooling inspectors72100<\/p>\n \tMotorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics72423<\/p>\n \tOil and solid fuel heating mechanics72420<\/p>\n \tOther small engine and small equipment repairers72429<\/p>\n \tOther technical trades and related occupations72999<\/p>\n \tPlumbers72300<\/p>\n \tPower system electricians72202<\/p>\n \tRailway carmen\/women72403<\/p>\n \tRailway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators72604<\/p>\n \tSheet metal workers72102<\/p>\n \tSteamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers72301<\/p>\n \tStructural metal and platework fabricators and fitters72104<\/p>\n \tSupervisors, mail and message distribution occupations72025<\/p>\n \tSupervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators72024<\/p>\n \tSupervisors, printing and related occupations72022<\/p>\n \tSupervisors, railway transport operations72023<\/p>\n \tTelecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians72205<\/p>\n \tTelecommunications line and cable installers and repairers72204<\/p>\n \tTool and die makers72101<\/p>\n \tWater well drillers72501<\/p>\n \tWelders and related machine operators72106<\/p>\n TEER 3 occupations<\/p>\n \tOccupationNOC code<\/p>\n \tBus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators73301<\/p>\n \tConcrete finishers73100<\/p>\n \tDrillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction73402<\/p>\n \tFloor covering installers73113<\/p>\n \tGeneral building maintenance workers and building superintendents73201<\/p>\n \tGlaziers73111<\/p>\n \tHeavy equipment operators73400<\/p>\n \tOther repairers and servicers73209<\/p>\n \tPainters and decorators (except interior decorators)73112<\/p>\n \tPest controllers and fumigators73202<\/p>\n \tPlasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers73102<\/p>\n \tPrinting press operators73401<\/p>\n \tRailway and yard locomotive engineers73310<\/p>\n \tRailway conductors and brakemen\/women73311<\/p>\n \tResidential and commercial installers and servicers73200<\/p>\n \tRoofers and shinglers73110<\/p>\n \tTilesetters73101<\/p>\n \tTransport truck drivers73300<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Schedule a Free Spousal Open Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm Spouses and common-law partners of those working in the accommodation and food services sector in TEER 2 or 3 occupations are not eligible for a spousal open work permit.<\/p>\n Federal focus on healthcare and trades workers for immigration<\/p>\n The Canada-wide need for more health care and construction workers has become particularly evident through federal and provincial immigration announcements, policies, draws, and more.<\/p>\n In February 2025, the federal government announced the 2025 Express Entry priority sectors, two of which align with industries experiencing the highest job vacancy rates: health care and construction\/trades.<\/p>\n Thus far in 2025, there have been two health care and social services draws, in which a cumulative total of 1,000 ITAs were issued.<\/p>\n Many provinces are increasingly prioritizing health care and construction workers in their provincial immigration draws and tightening their Provincial Nominee Program<\/a> and Atlantic Immigration Program<\/a> to focus on these high-demand sectors.<\/p>\n During the February 2025 Express Entry category restructuring<\/a>, the immigration department<\/a> significantly expanded the trades category, adding 19 new eligible occupations.<\/p>\n In March, former immigration minister Marc Miller<\/a> unveiled significant changes<\/a> aimed at bolstering Canada\u2019s construction sector, including that Canada would be admitting up to 14,000 foreign national construction workers into the country.<\/p>\n Job vacancy rates by province<\/p>\n A province\u2019s job vacancy rate (JVR) indicates the percentage of positions that are currently unfilled relative to the overall demand for labour in that region.<\/p>\n As of April, the job vacancy rate was the highest in the following provinces.<\/p>\n \tProvinceJob vacancy rate<\/p>\n \tManitoba3.3%<\/p>\n \tSaskatchewan3.3%<\/p>\n \tBritish Columbia3.1%<\/p>\n \tQuebec3.1%<\/p>\n This data suggests that foreign nationals may have a better chance of securing a job in these provinces, especially within in-demand sectors.<\/p>\n Comparatively, the provinces with the lowest job vacancy rates are as follows:<\/p>\n \tProvinceJob vacancy rate<\/p>\n \tNewfoundland and Labrador2.1%<\/p>\n \tNew Brunswick2.3%<\/p>\n \tPrince Edward Island2.5%<\/p>\n \tOntario2.5%<\/p>\n In provinces with a low JVR, employment opportunities may be less abundant, particularly in general or oversubscribed sectors.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s JVR in April of this year (2.8%) was the lowest it has been since October of 2017\u2014when it was also 2.8%.<\/p>\n As of April, there were 3.1 unemployed persons for every job vacancy in Canada.<\/p>\n
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\nAccommodation and food services (4%); and
\nConstruction\/trades (3.2%).<\/p>\n
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