Category-Based Express Entry Draws: Which Ones Can You Get?
Type your occupation to see which of IRCC's 10 categories for 2026 you may qualify for, and how your CRS score compares with each category's recent cut-offs.
- IRCC's 2026 category lists
- All 10 categories and 94 occupations
- Compared with 2026 draws
- Answers stay on your device
The 10 categories in 2026
All categories also require you to meet Express Entry's minimum criteria, including eligibility for Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades, and the instructions for each round. Source: IRCC, Category-based selection (modified 16 October 2026).
| Category | Who qualifies | 2026 draws | Latest cut-off | Latest date | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities on TEF Canada or TCF Canada. | 10 | 435 | 16 Oct 2026 | 382–435 |
| Healthcare and social services | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada or abroad. | 3 | 475 | 4 Sep 2026 | 467–475 |
| STEM | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada or abroad. | 0 | – | – | – |
| Trades | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada or abroad. | 2 | 476 | 1 Oct 2026 | 476–477 |
| Education | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada or abroad. | 0 | – | – | – |
| Transport | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada or abroad. | 1 | 470 | 7 Aug 2026 | 470–470 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada. | 2 | 198 | 3 Sep 2026 | 198–223 |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada. | 3 | 389 | 16 Sep 2026 | 389–429 |
| Researchers with Canadian work experience | 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation, in Canada. | 0 | – | – | – |
| Skilled military recruits | Foreign Skilled Military Applicant with 10+ years of continuous service, an arranged employment offer from the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group for at least 3 years, and a 2-year+ post-secondary credential. | 1 | 368 | 23 Jul 2026 | 368–368 |
Cut-offs are the lowest CRS score invited, from IRCC's rounds of invitations. The table updates automatically after each draw. See all Express Entry draws for general, CEC and PNP rounds.
How category draws work
- You enter the Express Entry pool as usual and get a CRS score.
- IRCC announces a round for a category, for example healthcare and social services.
- Only candidates who meet that category's criteria are considered, and the highest CRS scores among them are invited.
- Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a full application.
IRCC says category rounds supplement the other round types. If enough top candidates in a category are already invited through general or program rounds, a category round may not be needed.
Occupation lists (NOC 2021)
You qualify for an occupation category with 12 months of work in one of these occupations in the last 3 years. Open a category to see its list. Codes and titles are copied from IRCC's page.
Healthcare and social services (37 occupations)
- 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- 31101 Specialists in surgery
- 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
- 31103 Veterinarians
- 31110 Dentists
- 31111 Optometrists
- 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- 31120 Pharmacists
- 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
- 31200 Psychologists
- 31201 Chiropractors
- 31202 Physiotherapists
- 31203 Occupational therapists
- 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- 31302 Nurse practitioners
- 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- 32101 Licensed practical nurses
- 32102 Paramedical occupations
- 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
- 32121 Medical radiation technologists
- 32122 Medical sonographers
- 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- 32124 Pharmacy technicians
- 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
- 32201 Massage therapists
- 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- 41300 Social workers
- 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
- 42201 Social and community service workers
STEM (11 occupations)
- 20011 Architecture and science managers
- 21220 Cybersecurity specialists
- 21300 Civil engineers
- 21301 Mechanical engineers
- 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers
- 21321 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- 21331 Geological engineers
- 22300 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- 22301 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 63100 Insurance agents and brokers
Trades (25 occupations)
- 22303 Construction estimators
- 70010 Construction managers
- 70011 Home building and renovation managers
- 72100 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- 72102 Sheet metal workers
- 72106 Welders and related machine operators
- 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- 72201 Industrial electricians
- 72300 Plumbers
- 72302 Gas fitters
- 72310 Carpenters
- 72311 Cabinetmakers
- 72320 Bricklayers
- 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- 72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- 72422 Electrical mechanics
- 72501 Water well drillers
- 72999 Other technical trades and related occupations
- 73100 Concrete finishers
- 73110 Roofers and shinglers
- 73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- 73113 Floor covering installers
- 82021 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
- 63201 Butchers - retail and wholesale
Education (5 occupations)
- 41220 Secondary school teachers
- 41221 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
- 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants
- 42203 Instructors of persons with disabilities
- 43100 Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
Transport (4 occupations)
- 72404 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- 72600 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
- 22313 Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
- 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
Physicians with Canadian work experience (3 occupations)
- 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- 31101 Specialists in surgery
- 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
Senior managers with Canadian work experience (4 occupations)
- 00012 Senior managers - financial, communications and other business services
- 00013 Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
- 00014 Senior managers - trade, broadcasting and other services
- 00015 Senior managers - construction, transportation, production and utilities
Researchers with Canadian work experience (2 occupations)
- 41200 University professors and lecturers
- 41201 Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
Skilled military recruits (3 occupations)
- 40042 Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces
- 42102 Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces
- 43204 Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces
Some listings may surprise you, such as insurance agents and brokers (63100) under STEM and butchers (63201) under trades. They're listed exactly as IRCC shows them.
Tips for category candidates
- Get your NOC code right. Eligibility depends on the duties you performed, not your job title. A wrong code can lead to a refusal.
- Keep 12 months in one occupation. Work in two different listed occupations doesn't add up.
- Watch the 3-year window. Experience older than 3 years stops counting, so check your dates before each round.
- French counts twice. NCLC 7 gives up to 50 extra CRS points and access to French-language draws. The CLB calculator converts TEF Canada and TCF Canada scores.
- Your CRS score still decides. Within a category, the highest scores are invited. The CRS calculator and the guide on how to increase your CRS score show where you can gain points.
Frequently asked questions
What is category-based selection?
It's a type of Express Entry draw that invites only candidates who meet a category's criteria, such as French-language skills or work experience in a listed occupation. Among those candidates, IRCC invites the highest CRS scores. Category draws run alongside general, Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program draws.
How much work experience do I need for a category?
At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in the last 3 years, in one occupation on the category's list. It doesn't need to be continuous, and it can be in Canada or abroad - except for the physician, senior manager and researcher categories, where it must be in Canada.
Do I need to choose a category in my Express Entry profile?
No. IRCC checks your profile against each round's criteria. Make sure your work history, NOC codes and language results are complete and accurate, because that's what eligibility is based on.
Is my occupation's NOC code the one my employer uses?
Not necessarily. Your NOC code must match the main duties you actually performed, as described in the National Occupational Classification. Check the lead statement and main duties on the official NOC site before you claim a code.
Why do French-language draws have lower cut-offs?
Fewer candidates qualify, because you need NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities in French. In 2026, French-language cut-offs ranged from 382 to 435, compared with 507 to 523 for Canadian Experience Class draws.
How many days do I have to apply after an invitation?
60 days. That applies to every Express Entry invitation, including category-based rounds.