Canada’s 2025 labour market is expected to continue creating immigration opportunities for skilled foreign workers, particularly those applying through Express Entry or seeking to bring a spouse on an open work permit.
According to Immigration News Canada (INC), recent Statistics Canada data shows job vacancies across the country dropped to 501,300 in April 2025, the lowest since 2017. Although the decline is evident, certain sectors, such as healthcare, construction, and accommodation services, still face significant labour shortages and offer direct routes to permanent residency and employment for newcomers.
In-Demand Sectors Aligned With Immigration Streams
Healthcare, accommodation and food services, and construction remain the top sectors with the highest job vacancy rates in 2025.
Healthcare and Social Assistance reported a 4.1% job vacancy rate. Occupations such as registered nurses, medical technologists, and social workers are in demand. These roles are also prioritised in Express Entry’s category-based draws and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Accommodation and Food Services had a 4.0% vacancy rate. Positions like cooks and butchers qualify for Express Entry, though they are not eligible for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs).
Construction and Trades recorded a 3.2% vacancy rate. Carpenters, electricians, and plumbers are actively recruited, with the federal government planning to admit 14,000 foreign construction workers in 2025.
Low-demand sectors, defined as having vacancy rates below 2%, offer limited immigration and employment options under Express Entry or SOWP pathways.
Express Entry Category-Based Draws Target Skilled Workers
Express Entry remains the federal government’s primary system for economic immigration. In 2025, category-based draws specifically target high-demand occupations, allowing eligible candidates to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) even with lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
To qualify for a category-based draw, candidates must:
Have an active Express Entry profile.
Meet eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class.
Have at least six months of continuous, full-time experience in a listed occupation within the past three years.
Eligible occupations in healthcare include:
Registered Nurses (NOC 31301)
Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)
Medical Laboratory Technologists (NOC 32120)
Physicians (NOC 31100–31102)
Social Workers (NOC 41300)
Pharmacists (NOC 31120)
Trades occupations include:
Carpenters (NOC 72310)
Electricians (NOC 72200, 72201)
Plumbers (NOC 72300)
Welders (NOC 72106)
Construction Managers (NOC 70010)
Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP) Support Dual-Income Families
Spouses or common-law partners of skilled foreign workers may qualify for SOWPs, provided the principal applicant holds a valid work permit in an eligible occupation.
In 2025, SOWPs are available to spouses of workers in:
TEER 0 or 1 roles: Management and professional jobs, such as physicians and engineers.
Select TEER 2 and 3 occupations: Mainly in healthcare and construction.
Examples of eligible occupations for SOWPs include:
Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)
Medical Laboratory Technologists (NOC 32120)
Carpenters (NOC 72310)
Electricians (NOC 72200, 72201)
Accommodation and food service roles are excluded from SOWP eligibility. To apply, spouses must show proof of relationship and meet basic work permit conditions such as medical and background checks.
Provinces With the Highest Job Vacancy Rates
Provincial vacancy rates affect job opportunities and immigration prospects. The highest vacancy rates in April 2025 were:
Manitoba and Saskatchewan: 3.3%
British Columbia and Quebec: 3.1%
These provinces are actively recruiting in healthcare and trades, offering immigration-friendly programs through PNPs. In contrast, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador reported lower vacancy rates of 2.5% and 2.1%, respectively.
Immigration Policy Focus: Healthcare and Trades
Federal and provincial governments in 2025 are prioritising economic immigration to address labour shortages. Notable policy updates include:
Expansion of Express Entry trades category to include 19 new occupations in February 2025.
The admission of 14,000 foreign construction workers, announced by former Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
Targeted PNP draws in provinces like Manitoba and British Columbia, focused on trades and healthcare.
Francophone immigration emphasis, with lower CRS thresholds for French-speaking applicants outside Quebec.
These drive to align immigration with real-time labour market needs, particularly in sectors facing long-term shortages.
Strategies for Immigration Success
To improve their chances, prospective immigrants are advised to:
Gain experience in eligible NOC-coded occupations.
Create an accurate Express Entry profile.
Increase CRS scores through language testing and education assessment.
Apply for provincial nominations in high-vacancy provinces.
Confirm SOWP eligibility if immigrating with a spouse.
INC informs that platforms like Job Bank Canada, Indeed, and LinkedIn are recommended for job searches in high-demand sectors.
By targeting high-demand roles and aligning with Express Entry and PNP priorities, foreign workers can increase their chances of permanent residency and employment.
