How category-based selection works in Express Entry
Category-based selection is a draw mechanism inside the Express Entry pool rather than a separate immigration program. To receive an invitation, you must first qualify for one of the three federal programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades) and have an active profile in the pool:
- Six months of continuous work for occupation categories: for occupation categories such as healthcare and social services, trades, education, STEM, or agriculture and agri-food, you must have accumulated at least 6 months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a single eligible NOC occupation within the past 3 years, in Canada or abroad.
- French-language proficiency (NCLC 7): you must have test results showing at least NCLC 7 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking on an approved French test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada).
During a category-based round, IRCC ranks eligible candidates in the category by their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and invites the highest-ranked profiles. You can check your score with the CRS score calculator.
Source: IRCC: Category-based selection, checked 2026-10-19.
2026 category-based rounds and CRS cut-off comparison
Between 2026-01-05 and 2026-10-16, IRCC held 62 Express Entry rounds. Category-based rounds and their CRS cut-off ranges in 2026 were:
| Category | 2026 rounds | CRS cut-off range | Core requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 11 | 382 to 435 | NCLC 7 in all 4 French skills |
| Healthcare and social services | 3 | 467 to 475 | 6 months continuous work in 1 eligible NOC in the last 3 years |
| Trades | 2 | 476 to 477 | 6 months continuous work in 1 eligible NOC in the last 3 years |
By comparison, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) rounds in 2026 cut between 507 and 523 points. Live draw data is available on the Express Entry draw tracker and in our 2026 Express Entry draws analysis.
Source: IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations, checked 2026-10-19.
Documenting NOC duties and combining French CRS points
When you submit your permanent residence application after an invitation, IRCC assesses your actual job duties against the NOC 2021 classification rather than your job title alone:
- Lead statement and main duties: your employer reference letter must match the lead statement of the eligible NOC and show that you performed a substantial number of its main duties.
- Continuous 6-month hours: full-time work means at least 30 paid hours per week; equivalent part-time work must total at least 780 hours without gaps, backed by pay stubs, tax records, and bank statements.
- Bilingual CRS bonus: reaching NCLC 7 in all four French skills alongside CLB 5 or higher in English also adds 50 additional points under the CRS grid (the federal permanent residence fee is C$1,590).
See the employment reference letter guide and the Express Entry service page for full requirements.
Source: IRCC: Category-based selection; IRCC: CRS criteria and grid, checked 2026-10-19.