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 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<\/strong><\/p>\n The following occupations all<\/strong> fall under the health care and social services<\/a> Express Entry category.<\/p>\n Job vacancy sector 2: Accommodation and food services<\/strong><\/p>\n Job vacancy sector 3: Construction\/trades<\/strong><\/p>\n The following occupations all<\/strong> fall under the trades<\/a> Express Entry category.<\/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<\/strong> (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<\/strong> and construction\/trades<\/strong>.<\/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<\/strong><\/p>\n TEER 2 occupations<\/strong><\/p>\n TEER 3 occupations<\/strong><\/p>\n Schedule a Free Spousal Open Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm Construction\/trades<\/strong><\/p>\n TEER 2 occupations<\/strong><\/p>\n TEER 3 occupations<\/strong><\/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<\/strong> in TEER 2 or 3 occupations are not eligible<\/strong> 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<\/strong> and construction\/trades<\/strong>.<\/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 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 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
<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n\tOccupation<\/strong>NOC code<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians<\/td>\n 32104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Audiologists and speech language pathologists<\/td>\n 31112<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists<\/td>\n 32123<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Chiropractors<\/td>\n 31201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Dental hygienists and dental therapists<\/td>\n 32111<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Dentists<\/td>\n 31110<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Dieticians and nutritionists<\/td>\n 31121<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n General practitioners and family physicians<\/td>\n 31102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Licensed practical nurses<\/td>\n 32101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Massage therapists<\/td>\n 32201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations<\/td>\n 33101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical laboratory technologists<\/td>\n 32120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical radiation technologists<\/td>\n 32121<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical sonographers<\/td>\n 32122<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates<\/td>\n 33102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Nurse practitioners<\/td>\n 31302<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Nursing coordinators and supervisors<\/td>\n 31300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Occupational therapists<\/td>\n 31203<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Optometrists<\/td>\n 31111<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other medical technologists and technicians<\/td>\n 32129<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating<\/td>\n 31209<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment<\/td>\n 32109<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Paramedical occupations<\/td>\n 32102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pharmacists<\/td>\n 31120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants<\/td>\n 33103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pharmacy technicians<\/td>\n 32124<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals<\/td>\n 31303<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Physiotherapists<\/td>\n 31202<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Psychologists<\/td>\n 31200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses<\/td>\n 31301<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists<\/td>\n 32103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Social and community service workers<\/td>\n 42201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Social workers<\/td>\n 41300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine<\/td>\n 31100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Specialists in surgery<\/td>\n 31101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies<\/td>\n 41301<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Veterinarians<\/td>\n 31103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tOccupation<\/strong>NOC code<\/strong>Express Entry category<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Butchers \u2013 retail and wholesale<\/td>\n 63201<\/td>\n Agriculture and agri-food<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cooks<\/td>\n 63200<\/td>\n Trades<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tOccupation<\/strong>NOC code<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Bricklayers<\/td>\n 72320<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cabinetmakers<\/td>\n 72311<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Carpenters<\/td>\n 72310<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Concrete finishers<\/td>\n 73100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Construction estimators<\/td>\n 22303<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Construction managers<\/td>\n 70010<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics<\/td>\n 72400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services<\/td>\n 82021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Electricians (except industrial and power system)<\/td>\n 72200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Electrical mechanics<\/td>\n 72422<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Floor covering installers<\/td>\n 73113<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gas fitters<\/td>\n 72302<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics<\/td>\n 72402<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Heavy-duty equipment mechanics<\/td>\n 72401<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Home building and renovation managers<\/td>\n 70011<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Industrial electricians<\/td>\n 72201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors<\/td>\n 72100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other technical trades and related occupations<\/td>\n 72999<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)<\/td>\n 73112<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Plumbers<\/td>\n 72300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Roofers and shinglers<\/td>\n 73110<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sheet metal workers<\/td>\n 72102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Water well drillers<\/td>\n 72501<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Welders and related machine operators<\/td>\n 72106<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\tOccupation<\/strong>NOC Code<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians<\/td>\n 32104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists<\/td>\n 32123<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Dental hygienists and dental therapists<\/td>\n 32111<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Dental technologists and technicians<\/td>\n 32112<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Denturists<\/td>\n 32110<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Licensed practical nurses<\/td>\n 32101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical laboratory technologists<\/td>\n 32120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical radiation technologists<\/td>\n 32121<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical sonographers<\/td>\n 32122<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other medical technologists and technicians<\/td>\n 32129<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment<\/td>\n 32109<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Paramedical occupations<\/td>\n 32102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pharmacy technicians<\/td>\n 32124<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists<\/td>\n 32103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists<\/td>\n 32200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Massage therapists<\/td>\n 32201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other practitioners of natural healing<\/td>\n 32209<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tOccupationNOC Code
\n<\/tr>\n\n Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants<\/td>\n 33100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations<\/td>\n 33101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates<\/td>\n 33102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other assisting occupations in support of health services<\/td>\n 33109<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants<\/td>\n 33103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\tOccupation<\/strong>NOC code<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors<\/td>\n 72600<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Air traffic controllers and related occupations<\/td>\n 72601<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors<\/td>\n 72404<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Appliance servicers and repairers<\/td>\n 72421<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators<\/td>\n 72411<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers<\/td>\n 72410<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Boilermakers<\/td>\n 72103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bricklayers<\/td>\n 72320<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Cabinetmakers<\/td>\n 72311<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Carpenters<\/td>\n 72310<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics<\/td>\n 72400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades<\/td>\n 72013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations<\/td>\n 72011<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews<\/td>\n 72021<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations<\/td>\n 72010<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades<\/td>\n 72020<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers<\/td>\n 72014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades<\/td>\n 72012<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Crane operators<\/td>\n 72500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Deck officers, water transport<\/td>\n 72602<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Electrical mechanics<\/td>\n 72422<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Electrical power line and cable workers<\/td>\n 72203<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Electricians (except industrial and power system)<\/td>\n 72200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Elevator constructors and mechanics<\/td>\n 72406<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Engineer officers, water transport<\/td>\n 72603<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gas fitters<\/td>\n 72302<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics<\/td>\n 72402<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Heavy-duty equipment mechanics<\/td>\n 72401<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Industrial electricians<\/td>\n 72201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Insulators<\/td>\n 72321<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ironworkers<\/td>\n 72105<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Machine fitters<\/td>\n 72405<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors<\/td>\n 72100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics<\/td>\n 72423<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics<\/td>\n 72420<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other small engine and small equipment repairers<\/td>\n 72429<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other technical trades and related occupations<\/td>\n 72999<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Plumbers<\/td>\n 72300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Power system electricians<\/td>\n 72202<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Railway carmen\/women<\/td>\n 72403<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators<\/td>\n 72604<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sheet metal workers<\/td>\n 72102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers<\/td>\n 72301<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters<\/td>\n 72104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations<\/td>\n 72025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators<\/td>\n 72024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Supervisors, printing and related occupations<\/td>\n 72022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Supervisors, railway transport operations<\/td>\n 72023<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians<\/td>\n 72205<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers<\/td>\n 72204<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Tool and die makers<\/td>\n 72101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Water well drillers<\/td>\n 72501<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Welders and related machine operators<\/td>\n 72106<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tOccupation<\/strong>NOC code<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators<\/td>\n 73301<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Concrete finishers<\/td>\n 73100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction<\/td>\n 73402<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Floor covering installers<\/td>\n 73113<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n General building maintenance workers and building superintendents<\/td>\n 73201<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Glaziers<\/td>\n 73111<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Heavy equipment operators<\/td>\n 73400<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other repairers and servicers<\/td>\n 73209<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)<\/td>\n 73112<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pest controllers and fumigators<\/td>\n 73202<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers<\/td>\n 73102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Printing press operators<\/td>\n 73401<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Railway and yard locomotive engineers<\/td>\n 73310<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Railway conductors and brakemen\/women<\/td>\n 73311<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Residential and commercial installers and servicers<\/td>\n 73200<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Roofers and shinglers<\/td>\n 73110<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Tilesetters<\/td>\n 73101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Transport truck drivers<\/td>\n 73300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\tProvince<\/strong>Job vacancy rate<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Manitoba<\/td>\n 3.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Saskatchewan<\/td>\n 3.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n British Columbia<\/td>\n 3.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Quebec<\/td>\n 3.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\tProvince<\/strong>Job vacancy rate<\/strong>
\n<\/tr>\n\n Newfoundland and Labrador<\/td>\n 2.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n New Brunswick<\/td>\n 2.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Prince Edward Island<\/td>\n 2.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ontario<\/td>\n 2.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n