May 1, 2025, In a significant development under Canada’s Express Entry system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first-ever category-based draw for education professionals. This was Express Entry Draw 344, in which 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued to eligible candidates in teaching and education support roles.
The CRS cut-off score was 479, making this a highly competitive draw. The tie-breaking rule applied to profiles submitted before August 10, 2024, at 10:35:55 UTC.
Express Entry Draw 344: Key Highlights
- Draw Type: Category-Based – Education Occupations
- Date & Time: May 1, 2025, at 16:02:30 UTC
- CRS Cut-Off: 479
- Number of ITAs Issued: 1,000
- Tie-Breaking Rule: August 10, 2024, 10:35:55 UTC
- Application Deadline: Within 60 days of receiving the ITA
Targeted Occupations (NOC Codes)
| Occupation Title | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 |
| Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 |
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 |
| Secondary school teachers | 41220 |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify under this draw, applicants must:
- Not be in the Provincial Nominee Class
- Meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including having work experience of 6 months in a listed occupation within the past three years
2025 Express Entry Draw Trends (To Date)
| Draw Type | Number of Draws |
|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 7 |
| French-language proficiency | 3 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 3 |
| Education | 1 |
So far in 2025, the majority of Express Entry draws have focused on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Equal attention has been given to French-speaking candidates and those under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This latest draw marks the first activation of the Education Occupations category, introduced in February 2025.
What’s Next?
Candidates who received an invitation must submit a complete permanent residence application within 60 days. This draw presents a new opportunity for other education professionals to immigrate under a focused, occupation-specific stream.