Six Months of Work Can Boost Canada PR Chances: These Jobs Lead to Express Entry Invitations

It takes as little as six months of work in the appropriate occupation to increase the chances of being issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to Canadian Permanent Residence (PR) with the help of the Express Entry system. Occupation-based selection rounds are still preferred by the immigration department, namely Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), to favour specific high-demand professions in Canada.

As an Indian professional, student, or skilled worker aiming for Canada PR, choosing an in-demand role aligned with Express Entry categories can be a game-changer.

What Are Occupation-Based Express Entry Draws?

In the category-based selection rounds, IRCC selects candidates in the Express Entry pool that fulfil certain labour market or demographic priorities. Rather than inviting applicants in general terms, depending on overall CRS scores, IRCC selects applicants with some experience in chosen occupations.

Even in these category-focused draws:

• The candidates are still required to qualify in one of the three Express Entry programs.

• The ranking of the profiles is based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

• Invitations are sent to the most qualified candidates.

Such practice enables Canada to directly deal with the problem of workforce shortages and provides skilled workers with quicker PR opportunities.

Minimum Work Experience Required

To qualify under an occupation-based Express Entry category, the applicants need:

• Be an active Express Entry profile.

• Be qualified based on FSWP, CEC, or FSTP.

• At least 6 months of experience in a qualifying occupation (within three years of experience)

• Address any other drawing specifications.

There is also an exception for physicians who have to fulfill increased Canadian work experience requirements.

Healthcare and Social Services: A Top Priority

The fields of healthcare and social services are still one of the most vigorously requested fields in Canada, as they are characterized by the lack of healthcare workers and medical positions across the country.

Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers are all included in this category. IRCC prioritized this industry heavily in 2026, with several draws being made and competitive CRS cut-offs.

Why this matters to Indians:
Indian nurses, medical practitioners, physiotherapists, and social care workers, in particular, those who have Canadian credentials or experience,e have a high probability of being selected because they are in demand regularly.

STEM Occupations: Engineers and Tech Professionals

The STEM jobs are primarily concerned with engineering, technology, and cybersecurity. Although category-specific draws were not conducted in 2026, the requirements of CRS were rather high in previous draws.

IT professionals, tech specialists, and Indian engineers- many of whom are already comprising a significant portion of the skilled labor force in Canada- STEM is a long-term category that is strategic and is especially applicable in periods of up and down cycles in tech hiring.

Trades Occupations: Growing Opportunities

Express Entry has put such trades as construction supervisors, industrial mechanics, and skilled technicians on its priority list.

In 2025 Canada held a trades-based draw with a CRS cutoff of about 500, and was very interested in seasoned trade workers.

Indian relevance:
The targeted invitations can be of benefit to Indian electricians, welders, mechanical technicians, and construction supervisors who have either foreign or Canadian trade experiences, particularly with a Canadian certification.

Agriculture and Agri-Food: Fewer Roles, Lower CRS

This group has been reduced to a great extent and now consists of just one occupation. Previous draws,however, recorded significantly lower scores on CRS than other categories.

In the case of Indian applicants whose experience lies in agri-food processing or in any farm-related background, the category is still a niche but a worthwhile PR avenue.

Education Occupations: A New Entry with Promise

The education category is new and encompasses school support staff, early childhood educators, and teachers. In 2025, this category was given the top priority by IRCC, and it has conducted numerous draws with medium CRS scores.

Good PR opportunities can be capitalized on by Indian teachers and education workers, especially those who have Canadian teaching qualifications or education experience in the area of early childhood education.

Physicians with Canadian Work Experience: New in 2026

One of the new categories that is announced specifically targets physicians with experience in Canada. The applicants should possess at least 12 months of full-time work experience in a qualified medical practice in Canada.

The invitations within the given category are likely to start in early 2026, and a special PR channel will be opened to the internationally trained doctors who have already worked in the healthcare system of Canada.

Why Categories Change Every Year

IRCC examines the immigration priorities on an annual basis due to:

• Labour market shortages

• Demographic needs

• Territorial and provincial contribution.

For example, in 2026, Canada gave priority to healthcare, trades, education, and Francophone immigration. Such priorities can change during the coming years, so the time and choice of occupation are important.

How Indians Can Check NOC Eligibility

It is not just a matter of matching your job title. IRCC evaluates the eligibility in terms of real job responsibilities using the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.

Applicants should:

1. Search NOC 2021 on the official site

2. Compare daily responsibilities with the listed duties

3. Ensure duties align closely and are not excluded

4. Prepare reference letters reflecting those duties

This is particularly necessary when the Indian professionals have a different job title in other countries.

To get Express Entry chances, it can take six months of experience in the right occupation to get a chance with Express Entry, especially among Indians who want to get Canada PR. As Canada actively welcomes candidates according to labour requirements, strategic career planning is now no less significant than CRS scores.

For more information on Canada PR and the processing of the application. Contact Aptech Visa today!

Call our well-versed team of the best immigration experts at 750 383 2132 / 91310 59075, or you can also write us at info@aptechvisa.com.

Visit Our Clients Success Stories !

Also Read -  UK to Go Completely Digital With Visas by 2026: What Travellers Should Know