Canada’s Express Entry system changed fundamentally in 2026. Instead of one massive pool where everyone competes on CRS score alone, IRCC now runs 10 separate category-based draw streams, each targeting specific occupations or language profiles, often at CRS cutoffs far below the general pool.
The result: a doctor with 12 months of Canadian clinical experience can receive an ITA at CRS 169. A senior manager received one at CRS 392. A French speaker at CRS 382. Meanwhile, the general CEC pool is sitting at 507–523.
If your occupation or profile qualifies for one of these categories, understanding how they work is the most important thing you can do for your PR timeline right now.
What Is Category-Based Selection?
Category-based selection is a targeted draw system that allows IRCC to invite Express Entry candidates based on specific criteria (occupation, language ability, or sector demand) rather than CRS score alone.
Candidates must still be in the Express Entry pool (eligible under CEC, FSW, or FST) and meet the general Express Entry requirements. But within a category draw, only candidates who meet that category’s specific criteria compete against each other, not the entire pool. This is why cutoffs can be dramatically lower than general CEC rounds. Source
The 10 Active Categories in 2026
IRCC operates five new categories (introduced in 2026) and five renewed categories (carried over from 2025 with updated requirements). One change worth noting immediately: Agriculture and Agri-food has been retired for 2026; candidates who previously qualified under that stream need a new strategy. Source
The 5 New Categories for 2026
1. Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
First draw: February 19, 2026 – CRS cutoff of 169 (the lowest in Express Entry history)
Requirement: At least 12 months of Canadian clinical work experience within the past 3 years
NOC codes: Family medicine and general practice physicians, specialist physicians
This category addresses Canada’s acute physician shortage and is restricted to doctors who have already worked clinically in Canada. International medical experience alone does not qualify. Source
2. Researchers with Canadian Work Experience
First draw: Expected in the months following the February 2026 announcement
Requirement: At least 12 months of Canadian research work experience
Who qualifies: University professors, post-secondary instructors, and natural and applied science researchers employed in Canada
Canadian work experience is mandatory; this category does not accept equivalent research experience gained abroad. Source
3. Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
First draw: March 5, 2026 – CRS cutoff of 429
Second draw: July 10, 2026 – CRS cutoff of 392
Requirement: At least 12 months of Canadian managerial experience in a senior management role
Who qualifies: Legislators, senior government managers, senior managers in financial, communications, and other business services (NOC TEER 0)
The CRS cutoffs have been dropping with each draw, from 429 to 392 in just four months. Source
4. Transport Occupations
First draw: April 2, 2026 – CRS cutoff of 477
Requirement: At least 12 months of work experience in a qualifying transport occupation, gained in Canada or abroad (within the past 3 years)
Who qualifies: Pilots, aircraft mechanics, aircraft inspectors, automotive technicians
Unlike the physician, researcher, and senior manager categories, international transport experience qualifies, making this the most accessible new category for internationally trained candidates who haven’t yet worked in Canada. Source
5. Skilled Military Recruits
Requirement: A confirmed job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces + at least 10 years of continuous service in a recognized foreign military
Job offer: Must be for at least 3 years of full-time work with the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group
Who qualifies: Foreign Skilled Military Applicants (FSMA)
The job offer requirement means the Canadian Armed Forces effectively pre-selects candidates before IRCC runs the draw. Source
The 5 Renewed Categories (Updated for 2026)
These five categories carried over from 2025 with one major change: minimum work experience increased from 6 months to 12 months for all renewed streams. Source
French-language proficiency: CRS 382–409 | Any occupation – NCLC 7+ in all 4 skills
Healthcare & social services: CRS 430–475 | Nurses, PSWs, medical technologists, therapists
Skilled trades: CRS 433–477 | Electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters
STEM: CRS 481–510 | Software engineers, data analysts, scientists
Education: ~CRS 479 | Teachers, early childhood educators, professors
Note on STEM: No dedicated STEM draw has been issued since April 2024. STEM-eligible candidates should maintain their Express Entry profile while pursuing a parallel PNP strategy.
2026 CRS Cutoffs at a Glance
As of August 19, 2026, IRCC has held 49 draws issuing 119,865 ITAs in 2026.
- General CEC: 507-523
- French language: 382–409 (August 19 draw: 5,000 ITAs at CRS 382)
- Senior Managers: 392–429
- Physicians: 169
- Transport occupations: 470–477
- Healthcare: 430–475
- Skilled trades: 433–477
- Education: ~479
- STEM: ~481–510
The Key Rule That Catches Most Candidates Off Guard
For physicians, researchers, and senior managers: Canadian work experience is mandatory. International experience in the same field (even decades of it) does not satisfy the category requirement. You must have worked in Canada under a valid work permit in that specific occupation for at least 12 months within the past 3 years.
For transport occupations: International experience qualifies, making it the most globally accessible new category.
For all renewed categories (French, healthcare, trades, STEM, education): The minimum went from 6 months to 12 months in 2026. Candidates who qualified last year based on 6 months of experience may no longer qualify, verify before updating your profile.
How to Position Your Profile for a Category Draw
Step 1 – Confirm your NOC code. Specific NOC codes define every category. Use the correct TEER-level NOC that matches your actual duties, not just your job title.
Step 2 – Verify experience requirements. 12 months of qualifying experience, in Canada or abroad depending on the category, within the past 3 years. Document hours carefully; 1,560 hours minimum for full-time equivalency.
Step 3 – Enter the Express Entry pool. You must be eligible under CEC, FSW, or FST and have an active profile to be selected in any category draw.
Step 4 – Maximize your base CRS score. Category draws don’t eliminate the CRS; they lower the threshold. A stronger base score puts you ahead of other candidates in the same category if the cutoff is competitive.
Step 5 – Pursue parallel strategies. If your category hasn’t drawn yet (Researchers) or draws infrequently, don’t wait. PNP and French are live, active pathways running simultaneously.
If French is part of your strategy, book a free French roadmap call with our MPM French School click here, we cover TEF exam fees (worth $400) for students who enroll.
TL;DR
- How many Express Entry categories are there in 2026? 10, five new (physicians, researchers, senior managers, transport occupations, skilled military) and five renewed (French, healthcare, trades, STEM, education).
- What is the lowest CRS score issued in an Express Entry draw in 2026? CRS 169, in the Physicians category draw on February 19, 2026.
- Do doctors need Canadian experience for Express Entry? Yes, the physician category specifically requires at least 12 months of Canadian clinical experience. International medical experience alone does not qualify.
- Can transport workers outside Canada qualify for a category draw? Yes, the transport occupations category accepts 12 months of experience gained in Canada or abroad.
- What changed for the renewed categories in 2026? Minimum work experience increased from 6 months to 12 months for all renewed categories.
- What happened to the Agriculture and Agri-food category? It was retired for 2026. Candidates who previously qualified under that stream need a different pathway.
Citations & References
- Fragomen – 2026 Express Entry category updates
- Immigration News Canada – 2026 category overview
- Amir Ismail – Express Entry draw results 2026
- CanX Global – Category-based draw guide 2026
- ImmigCanada – Category-based selection tracker
- AK Canada – 2026 category announcement
- T&S Law – IRCC 2026 priority occupations
- TMI Immigration – New categories 2026
- IRCC official Express Entry
