Despite numerous changes in Canada’s immigration landscape over the last year, attaining permanent residence (PR) without having previously lived or worked in the country is still possible.
Canada offers several immigration pathways specifically for skilled candidates, particularly those with work experience in high-demand occupations.
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In this article, we will discuss
- How skilled foreign workers can get Canadian PR without prior Canadian work experience;
- Which occupations are in demand; and
- The best pathways and opportunities available.
How to get Canadian PR without prior Canadian work experience
If you don’t have any Canadian work experience, your best chance at getting PR is to qualify under one of Canada’s Express Entry Category-Based Selection (CBS) draws.
CBS draws were launched in 2023 to invite candidates with work experience in specific in-demand fields, rather than general draws, to fill gaps in the Canadian work force.
To qualify for a category-based Express Entry draw, you must:
- Meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including being eligible for one of the three immigration programs it covers. That is, you must be eligible for Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program; and
- Have at least six months of continuous, full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a qualifying occupation, within the last three years. This work experience can be gained inside or outside Canada.
CBS draws typically have lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores than other draw types, such as Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws.
This means candidates who fall into certain occupational categories have a much higher chance of being invited from abroad, even with lower CRS scores, compared to those who are not in a priority occupation.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has primarily conducted category-based and program-specific rounds in 2025—and has not held a general Express Entry draw since April 2024.
What occupations are in-demand under category-based selection?
Canada has defined specific occupational categories for Express Entry draws in 2025, which reflect the fields experiencing acute labour shortages.
If you are interested in immigrating to Canada without Canadian work experience, your first step would be to check if your occupation is eligible under CBS.
IRCC’s current five occupational categories can be found below, as well as examples of occupations falling under each category:
| Category | Sample occupation under in-demand categories | Corresponding NOC code |
| Healthcare and social services | Veterinarians | 31103 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 | |
| Dentists | 31110 | |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 | |
| Dietitians and nutritionists | 31121 | |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 | |
| Social workers | 41300 | |
| STEM | Architecture and science managers | 20011 |
| Civil engineers | 21300 | |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 | |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 | |
| Geological engineers | 21331 | |
| Insurance agents and brokers | 63100 | |
| Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians | 22301 | |
| Agriculture & Agri-food | Butchers – retail and wholesale | 63201 |
| Education | Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 |
| Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | |
| Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | |
| Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 | |
| Secondary school teachers | 41220 | |
| Trades | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling/services | 82021 |
| Floor covering installers | 73113 | |
| Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | |
| Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | |
| Concrete finishers | 73100 | |
| Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | |
| Water well drillers | 72501 | |
| Electrical mechanics | 72422 | |
| Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | |
| Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 |
Of note is that the occupations listed above are only sample occupations for each category—many more jobs are included. For a full list of eligible occupations under each category, visit our dedicated page on Express Entry CBS.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
Next steps
Whether you qualify under the above categories or not, you can maximize your chances by doing the following.
Ensuring your work experience matches the listed occupation’s requirements
If your occupation is listed under a category, it’s crucial that your past job duties and role align with the NOC code of the occupation you claim.
IRCC will assess whether your work experience truly fits the definition of the occupation in question. To confirm this, consult the official NOC description for your job and compare the main duties. You should have performed the majority of the key duties listed under that NOC.
To select the correct NOC for your profession, read our article on how to choose the right NOC for your profession.
Reviewing recent CRS cut-off scores for category-based draws and calculating your own score
Once you know your occupation is eligible, look at the CRS score cut-offs from recent draws in that category to gauge your chances. Here is a look at all the draws by category in 2025 so far:
| Draw type | Number of draws | CRS cut-off scores | ITA issuances |
|---|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 8 | 379–481 | 42,000 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 13 | 518–547 | 24,850 |
| Provincial Nominee Program | 22 | 699–855 | 9,376 |
| Healthcare and social services | 6 | 462–510 | 13,500 |
| Education | 2 | 462–479 | 3,500 |
| Trades | 1 | 505 | 1,250 |
It’s important to note that not every category is drawn frequently—for example, there were no STEM or agriculture category draws in 2025 as of the time of writing. Invitations are distributed entirely at IRCC’s discretion.
After reviewing past trends, you can use CanadaVisa’s free CRS Calculator tool to instantly calculate your CRS score and gauge where you stand.
You can also look for ways to boost your CRS score.
Gaining the required work experience
If you do not yet have six months of work experience in a qualifying occupation, consider gaining the required work experience abroad.
For example, if you have skills in an area like tech or healthcare but lack the continuous six-month work stint, it could be worthwhile to work in that field for half a year to become eligible. The work experience must be in a single occupation (even if it’s not your current primary occupation) and meet the category requirements.
Once you have the required experience, you can create your Express Entry profile and indicate that occupation as one of your work histories.
Staying updated on Express Entry category changes beyond 2025
Canada’s priority occupational categories are not set in stone—they may be adjusted from year to year based on evolving economic needs.
In 2026, IRCC may introduce new categories or modify existing ones. According to a recent federal proposal, the government is considering three new occupational categories for Express Entry in 2026:
- Leadership and management roles;
- Research and academia; and
- Military personnel.
If adopted, these would make it easier for foreign nationals in those professions to obtain PR, even without Canadian experience.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
Other ways to immigrate to Canada as a PR without Canadian work experience
While Express Entry category-based draws are a prime avenue for Canadian immigration in the absence of general draws, they are not the only option. Skilled foreign nationals with no prior Canadian work experience can also consider the following pathways to obtain PR:
Leverage French language proficiency
Having strong French-language abilities can significantly boost your Express Entry chances by improving your CRS score and helping you qualify for French-speaking draws.
IRCC conducts periodic French language category draws where candidates who test at Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) level 7 or above in all French abilities are invited. French language draws have had the lowest CRS cut-offs among all CBS draws in 2025.
Secure a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination
Many provincial immigration programs allow overseas candidates to be nominated for PR. If you succeed in getting a provincial nomination through an enhanced PNP stream, you will be awarded an additional 600 points toward your CRS score, which all but guarantees you an invitation in an upcoming PNP draw.
Each province has its own selection criteria—some target specific occupations, some require a job offer, and others have talent streams for foreign workers abroad. Of note is that in 2025, most PNPs are heavily prioritizing candidates already inside Canada, a trend expected to continue in 2026.
Get a job offer from a Canadian employer
A Canadian job offer can unlock direct PR pathways that do not require prior Canadian work experience.
One notable example is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), a federal program that offers PR to skilled foreign workers who receive a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in one of the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland & Labrador).
Most Atlantic provinces have announced that they will be prioritizing candidates in specific sectors and occupations under the AIP, meaning those working in a province’s in-demand sectors may have an advantage when seeking PR through this program.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams