Canada’s Express Entry system may undergo significant changes as part of ongoing immigration reforms.

One of the proposed changes is the introduction of the High-Wage Occupation Factor, which would provide additional consideration to candidates working in occupations that are considered highly valuable to the Canadian economy.

For a detailed explanation of the proposed High-Wage Occupation Factor, please see our previous article:What Is the Proposed “High-Wage Occupation Factor”? Understanding IRCC’s Planned Express Entry Reform

In this article, we focus on the occupations that may benefit from this proposed factor.
According to an analysis by CIC News based on wage data from Canada’s Job Bank, 37 occupations currently included in Express Entry’s category-based selection may potentially qualify for additional consideration under the High-Wage Occupation Factor.
Please note that these occupations have not been officially confirmed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The list is based on an analysis of available wage data, and the final occupations eligible for the factor may change when the policy is officially introduced.

The potential occupations are divided into three groups based on the wage level compared with the national median wage:

• 6 occupations earning more than twice the national median wage
• 15 occupations earning more than 1.5 times the national median wage
• 16 occupations earning more than 1.3 times the national median wage

Occupations Above Twice the National Median Wage

Occupations Above 1.5 Times the National Median Wage

Occupations Above 1.3 Times the National Median Wage

The High-Wage Occupation Factor is still a proposed reform and has not yet been officially implemented.

IRCC is expected to provide further details regarding:

• Eligible occupations 
• How additional points or consideration will be applied 
• Implementation timeline 
• The relationship with existing category-based selection 

Express Entry has continued to evolve in recent years, including the introduction of category-based selection and changes to priority occupations.

Candidates planning to apply for Canadian permanent residence should continue monitoring official announcements and consider how future changes may affect their immigration strategy.

If you are wondering whether you have a chance for permanent residence with your current occupation and skills, or if you should act immediately before the rules change, please consult our professionals before worrying on your own.

At Shiraishi Visa JP Canada, our government authorized immigration consultants accurately grasp the latest IRCC trends and propose the optimal permanent residence and visa application route tailored to your individual work history and circumstances. Please feel free to contact us first.