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Express Entry Category-Based Draws: The 2026 Categories
Besides general rounds, IRCC holds category-based Express Entry rounds that invite only candidates with strong French or experience in occupations Canada has prioritised. For 2026 there are 10 categories, including French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education and transport. For the occupation categories you now need at least one year of work experience in an eligible occupation in the last three years, and you must still qualify for an Express Entry program.
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- Categories in 2026
- 10, announced in February 2026
- Occupation experience
- 1 year in the last 3 years (was 6 months)
- French category
- NCLC 7 in all four skills
- Still required
- Eligibility for FSW, CEC or FST
- Ranking
- By CRS score within each category
What is category-based selection?
Express Entry invites candidates in rounds. In a general round, IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates across the pool. In a category-based round, only candidates who meet that category can be invited, ranked by CRS score within it. IRCC uses categories to select people with skills Canada needs, such as strong French or experience in priority occupations.
The 2026 Express Entry categories
IRCC announced 10 categories for 2026 in February 2026:
| Category | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills, on TEF Canada or TCF Canada |
| Healthcare and social services | Experience in an eligible health or social services occupation |
| STEM | Experience in an eligible science, technology, engineering or maths occupation |
| Trades | Experience in an eligible trade occupation |
| Education | Experience in an eligible education occupation, such as teaching |
| Transport | Experience in an eligible transport occupation, such as pilots and aircraft mechanics |
| Physicians | Doctors with Canadian work experience |
| Researchers | Researchers with Canadian work experience |
| Senior managers | Senior managers with Canadian work experience |
| Skilled military recruits | Skilled military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces |
IRCC lists the eligible occupations for each category by NOC code. Check your occupation code against IRCC’s list before you plan around a category.
Who qualifies for a category round?
- A profile in the pool, and eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades program.
- For occupation categories: at least one year of work experience in a single eligible occupation, in Canada or abroad, in the last three years. IRCC raised this from six months for 2026.
- For physicians, researchers and senior managers: the experience must include work in Canada.
- For French: NCLC 7 or higher in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Why category rounds have different cut-offs
Only candidates who meet the category compete in its rounds, so the lowest invited score depends on how many eligible candidates are in the pool and how many invitations IRCC issues. A category round can have a much lower or higher cut-off than a general round in the same month. IRCC publishes every round and its cut-off score.
French: the category you can prepare for
The occupation categories depend on work you have already done. French depends on what you learn next. At NCLC 7 in all four skills, you become eligible for French-language rounds and also gain a 50-point CRS bonus when your English is CLB 5 or higher, plus second-language points.
How to prepare for category draws
- Check your NOC code and experience against IRCC’s list for each category.
- Make your profile match your documents. Your duties and dates must match your reference letters.
- Raise your CRS score anyway. Inside a category, candidates are still ranked by CRS, so language points still decide who is invited.
- Keep your test results valid. Language results must be less than 2 years old.
Will the categories change?
IRCC reviews the categories each year after public consultations. The changes from 3 November 2026 affect CRS points for Canadian work experience and job offers, not category eligibility.
Official sources
- Express Entry: category-based selection (IRCC)
- Canada prioritizes top talent in 2026 Express Entry categories (IRCC)
- 2026 consultations on Express Entry categories (IRCC)
- Express Entry rounds of invitations (IRCC)
- 2026 changes to CRS points (IRCC)
Frequently asked questions
What are the Express Entry categories for 2026?
How much work experience do I need for a category draw?
Do I need a job offer for a category-based draw?
Can I be eligible for more than one category?
What French level do I need for the French category?
Is STEM an Express Entry category in 2026?
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