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
The lowest cutoffs of any category. French draws in 2026 have landed at CRS 393–400 — more than 100 points below 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: Healthcare draws in early 2026 have had cutoffs around CRS 467.
- Key NOCs: NOC 31301 (registered nurses), 31303 (physician assistants), 32101 (dental technologists), 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: Candidates with qualifying Canadian work experience in one of the listed senior-manager NOC codes.
- First-ever draw: March 5 — 250 ITAs at CRS 429.
- Note: This is a small-volume category. The 250 ITAs suggest IRCC is targeting a very specific pool of high-level executives already in Canada.
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: Licensed physicians with Canadian work experience. This category was technically added in December 2025.
- First-ever draw: January 2026, with a record-low CRS cutoff of 169 — the lowest in Express Entry history. Only a small number of ITAs were issued.
- Why the low cutoff: The physician pool in Express Entry is tiny. Most doctors who meet the criteria are already in the pool with low CRS scores (since CRS favors younger candidates with specific education/language profiles, not necessarily high-earning specialists).
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)
| Category | Latest CRS cutoff | Comparison to CEC (507–511) |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians | 169 | 340+ points lower |
| French language | 393–400 | ~110 points lower |
| Senior managers | 429 | ~80 points lower |
| Healthcare | 467 | ~40 points lower |
| Trades | 477 | ~30 points lower |
| STEM | No draw yet | — |
| Transport | No draw yet | — |
| Education | No draw yet | — |
| Researchers | No draw yet | — |
| Military | No draw yet | — |
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.
For now, if you qualify for a category, it's your best path to a lower CRS cutoff. Track upcoming draws on our Express Entry Draws page.