10 Express Entry Categories in 2026: Eligibility, NOC Codes and Latest Cutoffs

Category-based draws are the most important change to Express Entry since the system launched in 2015. Instead of one cutoff for everyone, IRCC runs separate draws for specific occupations and skills — with cutoffs that can be 30–100+ points lower than general rounds.

In 2026, there are 10 active categories. Five are returning from 2025, and five are brand new as of February 2026. If your occupation or skills fall into any of these, you have a significant advantage. Here's how each one works.

The 10 categories for 2026

Returning categories (from 2025)

1. French language proficiency

French is one of the highest-volume category routes. Its draws in 2026 have landed at CRS 393–420, well below recent CEC draws.

• Who qualifies: Candidates with French-language test results showing NCLC 7+ in all four skills
• Recent draws: March 4 — 5,500 ITAs at CRS 397. March 18 — 4,000 ITAs at CRS 393.
• Why it matters: You don't need to be a native French speaker, but NCLC 7 is a real B2-level target. For beginners, plan in months to years, not weeks. Read our TEF/TCF guide.

2. Healthcare and social services

• Who qualifies: At least 12 months of work experience in the past 3 years in a qualifying healthcare NOC code — nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, medical lab technicians, dental hygienists, social workers, and more.
• Recent draws: February 20 — 4,000 ITAs at CRS 467. June 25 — 4,000 ITAs at CRS 475.
• Key NOCs: NOC 31301 (registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses), 31303 (physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals), 32111 (dental hygienists and dental therapists), 31202 (physiotherapists), among others.

3. Trades occupations

• Who qualifies: 12 months of experience in construction, industrial, or mechanical trades within the past 3 years. The 2026 category focuses on heavy construction and industrial trades — food service occupations were largely removed in the latest version.
• Recent draws: April 2 — 3,000 ITAs at CRS 477. This was the first trades draw of 2026.
• Key NOCs: Electricians, plumbers, welders, heavy equipment operators, steamfitters, crane operators, carpenters, industrial mechanics.

4. STEM occupations

• Who qualifies: 12 months of work experience in one of the current STEM NOC codes, such as cybersecurity specialists, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical/electronics engineers, industrial/manufacturing engineers, geological engineers, and selected engineering technologists.
• Recent draws: No dedicated STEM draws have been held in early 2026 yet. Many STEM candidates have pivoted to CEC draws or PNP nominations rather than waiting.
• What to watch: STEM draws may resume later in 2026. In the meantime, if your CRS is competitive for CEC (507–511), don't wait.

5. Education

• Who qualifies: 12 months of experience in one of the current education NOC codes, including secondary school teachers, elementary/kindergarten teachers, early childhood educators and assistants, instructors of persons with disabilities, and elementary/secondary school teacher assistants.
• Status: No dedicated education draws have been held in 2026 so far. This category has been the least active since its introduction.

New categories (added February 2026)

6. Senior managers with Canadian work experience

• Who qualifies: 12 months of Canadian work experience in the last 3 years in one of four senior-manager NOC codes — 00012, 00013, 00014, 00015. Foreign senior-management experience does not count.
• First-ever draw: March 5 — 250 ITAs at CRS 429.
• Second draw: July 10 — 500 ITAs at CRS 392, a 37-point drop. IRCC doubled the round size in a very small pool, and the tie-break had to reach back to profiles created before March 15 to fill it.
• Note: This is the lowest-volume active category after physicians — 750 ITAs across two rounds. Low volume, but also the lowest bar: 392 is 125 points below the July CEC cutoff.

7. Researchers with Canadian work experience

• Who qualifies: Candidates with qualifying Canadian work experience as university professors/lecturers or post-secondary teaching and research assistants.
• Status: No draws held yet in 2026. Expected to begin alongside the Spring consultation period.

8. Transport workers

• Who qualifies: 12 months of experience in one of the current transport NOC codes, including aircraft mechanics/inspectors, pilots/flight engineers/flying instructors, aircraft instrument/electrical/avionics mechanics, and automotive service technicians/truck and bus mechanics.
• Status: Transport draws are expected but haven't been held yet in 2026. The category was active in 2025 with cutoffs typically in the 430–440 range.

9. Skilled military recruits

• Who qualifies: This is a unique category with separate requirements, including recognized foreign military service, an arranged employment offer with the Canadian Armed Forces, a post-secondary credential, and one of the listed military-related NOC codes.
• Status: This is likely the most niche category with the smallest expected draw volumes.

10. Physicians

• Who qualifies: Candidates with at least 12 months of Canadian work experience in the past 3 years in NOC 31100, 31101 or 31102, plus eligibility for an Express Entry program and the round's other requirements.
• First draw: February 19 — 391 ITAs at CRS 169.
• Latest draw: June 24 — 271 ITAs at CRS 223.
• Why the cutoffs are low: This is a narrow category with only three eligible NOCs and a Canadian-experience requirement. The numbers do not apply to doctors outside that category. See our medical doctors immigration guide for the full pathway map.

How category draws work

When IRCC runs a category-based draw, it pulls candidates from the Express Entry pool who meet both the standard Express Entry eligibility requirements and the category-specific criteria.

For most occupation categories, you need at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a listed occupation within the past 3 years. Some 2026 categories are stricter: physicians, senior managers, and researchers require Canadian work experience; French requires NCLC 7+ in all four French skills; skilled military recruits have separate military-service and arranged-employment requirements.

Your CRS score still determines your rank within the category. But because you're competing against a smaller pool — only candidates in your category — the cutoff is usually much lower than general or CEC draws.

CRS cutoffs by category (2026)

How to know if you qualify

Step 1: Find your NOC code using our NOC Finder. Your NOC determines which category (if any) you fall under.

Step 2: Check your CRS score with our CRS Calculator. Compare it to the latest cutoffs for your category.

Step 3: Make sure you have at least 12 months of qualifying work experience within the past 3 years. This is the hard requirement for all 2026 categories.

Step 4: Ensure your Express Entry profile accurately reflects your work experience. If your NOC code is wrong in your profile, you won't be pulled into category draws even if you're eligible.

The future of categories

With the proposed Express Entry overhaul, IRCC has signaled that category-based selection will become even more central to how candidates are chosen. When the FSWP, CEC, and FSTP are eventually merged into a single Federal High-Skilled Class, category draws are expected to remain — and potentially expand.

If you qualify for a category, compare its recent cutoffs with the other rounds available to your profile. Track new results on our Express Entry Draws page.