Category-based selection lets IRCC invite Express Entry candidates who have a specific skill, such as French, or experience in a specific occupation. On 18 February 2026, IRCC announced 10 categories for 2026. This page explains who qualifies and which categories have actually had rounds this year. It is updated weekly.
How category-based rounds work
- First, be eligible for an Express Entry program: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- Then meet the category's criteria (below). You don't apply to a category; IRCC checks your profile automatically.
- Candidates are still ranked by CRS. A category round invites the highest-ranked candidates who meet that category. See how CRS points work.
- Candidates with a provincial nomination are not ranked in category rounds. They are invited through other rounds.
- A listed category may have no rounds. IRCC decides when to hold a round and how many people to invite. Being eligible for a category does not mean you will be invited.
The rules for occupation categories
For every category except French and military recruits, you need:
- At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time), not necessarily continuous, in the last 3 years, in one listed occupation. The 2026 rules raised this from 6 months for the renewed categories.
- To have performed the NOC lead statement and a substantial number of the main duties, including all essential duties.
- For physicians, senior managers and researchers, the experience must have been gained in Canada. For the other occupation categories, it can be in Canada or abroad.
- Unauthorized work in Canada doesn't count.
Find your code and check which categories list it with our NOC finder.
The 10 categories and their 2026 rounds
| Category | Listed occupations | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | Any occupation | Program rules only |
| Healthcare and social services | 37 | Canada or abroad |
| STEM | 11 | Canada or abroad |
| Trades | 25 | Canada or abroad |
| Education | 5 | Canada or abroad |
| Transport (new) | 4 | Canada or abroad |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience (new) | 3 | In Canada |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience (new) | 4 | In Canada |
| Researchers with Canadian work experience (new) | 2 | In Canada |
| Skilled military recruits (new) | 3 | Separate rules |
Rounds held in 2026, derived from IRCC's rounds data:
| Category | 2026 rounds | Latest 2026 round |
|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 10 | 19 August 2026 |
| Healthcare and social services | 3 | 4 September 2026 |
| STEM | 0 | None (last ever: 11 April 2024) |
| Trades | 2 | 1 October 2026 |
| Education | 0 | None (last ever: 17 September 2025) |
| Transport | 1 | 7 August 2026 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 3 | 3 September 2026 |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience | 3 | 16 September 2026 |
| Researchers with Canadian work experience | 0 | None (no round ever held) |
| Skilled military recruits | 1 | 23 July 2026 |
(IRCC, as of 12 October 2026)
The latest round, #447 on 1 October 2026 (Trades), invited 3,500 candidates with a lowest CRS score of 476 (IRCC, as of 12 October 2026). No general (all-program) round has been held since 23 April 2024 (IRCC, as of 12 October 2026). Check each new round on IRCC's list of rounds.
Category details
French-language proficiency
Results from an approved French test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada), less than 2 years old, at NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities. Any occupation. French at this level can also add up to 50 CRS points. Convert your results with our CLB/NCLC converter.
Healthcare and social services
37 occupations, including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, nurse aides, physiotherapists and other therapists, medical technologists, veterinarians, social workers, and social and community service workers. Check your code in our NOC finder or on IRCC's category page.
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)
11 occupations: architecture and science managers (20011), cybersecurity specialists (21220), civil engineers (21300), mechanical engineers (21301), electrical and electronics engineers (21310), industrial and manufacturing engineers (21321), geological engineers (21331), civil, mechanical, and electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (22300, 22301, 22310), and insurance agents and brokers (63100).
Trades
25 occupations, including construction managers and estimators, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, machinists, heavy-duty equipment mechanics and other construction and mechanical trades. Many of them are also eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Check your code in our NOC finder.
Education
5 occupations: secondary school teachers (41220), elementary school and kindergarten teachers (41221), early childhood educators and assistants (42202), instructors of persons with disabilities (42203), and elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (43100).
Transport
4 occupations: aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors (22313), aircraft mechanics and inspectors (72404), automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers (72410), and air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (72600).
Physicians with Canadian work experience
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (31100), specialists in surgery (31101), and general practitioners and family physicians (31102). The 12 months must be in Canada.
Senior managers with Canadian work experience
Senior managers in the four NOC senior-management groups (00012, 00013, 00014, 00015). The 12 months must be in Canada.
Researchers with Canadian work experience
University professors and lecturers (41200), and post-secondary teaching and research assistants (41201). The 12 months must be in Canada.
Skilled military recruits
This category has its own rules, for foreign military members recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces:
- At least 10 years of continuous service in a recognized foreign military, with experience or training that matches NOC 40042, 42102 or 43204.
- A job offer from the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group for continuous full-time work in Canada of at least 3 years in one of those occupations.
- A post-secondary credential of at least 2 years (Canadian, or with an equivalency assessment less than 5 years old).
Recent changes
- 18 February 2026: IRCC announced the 2026 categories. New: transport, physicians, senior managers and researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits. Agriculture and agri-food is no longer a category. The experience requirement rose from 6 to 12 months.
- 4 August to 1 September 2026: IRCC consulted on category priorities for 2027. The 2027 categories have not been announced as of 10 October 2026. The 2026 categories were announced in February 2026.
Common pitfalls
- Counting experience across several occupations. The 12 months must be in one listed occupation.
- Experience that ages out of the 3-year window while you wait.
- Experience abroad for a Canada-only category (physicians, senior managers, researchers).
- A French test with one ability below NCLC 7. All four abilities must reach 7.
- Assuming a category round will come. Some categories have had no round in 2026.
How we can help
Anasse Boulbaroud, RCIC, can:
- Consultation: check which categories your experience fits, and whether your program eligibility is in place.
- Profile review: review your NOC choice, reference letters and language results so the category criteria are clearly met.
- Application preparation: prepare your permanent residence application after an invitation.
Only IRCC decides who is invited and approved. Book a consultation.