You may not need CRS 521. The right category can invite far lower.
IRCC runs 10 category-based Express Entry draws in 2026 that invite specific occupations. In 2026 so far, the general Canadian Experience Class round invited at CRS 521, while Healthcare invited at 475 and French-language rounds at 382. Most people fixate on the general number and never see the door open for their field.
Cutoffs are live from the official IRCC rounds feed. Last checked Sep 10, 2026.
Check your categories
2026 category cutoffs (live)
Most recent CRS cutoff for each category drawn in 2026, from the official IRCC rounds feed.
| Category | Latest CRS |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (general) | 521 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 198 |
| French-language proficiency | 382 |
| Transport occupations | 470 |
| Healthcare and social services occupations | 475 |
| Trade occupations | 477 |
The 10 Express Entry categories for 2026
Official categories from IRCC. Five continue from 2025 (French, healthcare, STEM, trades, education); five are new for 2026 (physicians, senior managers, researchers, transport, skilled military).
French-language proficiency
Open to candidates with strong French (NCLC 7 in all four abilities), whatever their job. The lowest-scoring door in the system.
Healthcare and social services occupations
Nurses, physicians, social workers, care aides and related roles.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
Software, data, engineering and related technical roles.
Trade occupations
Electricians, carpenters, welders, plumbers and other skilled trades.
Education occupations
Teachers and early childhood educators.
Transport occupations
Pilots, aircraft and vehicle mechanics and related roles.
Physicians with Canadian work experience
Family physicians and specialists with Canadian experience.
Canadian experience required
Senior managers with Canadian work experience
Senior managers in business, construction, transport, production and utilities.
Canadian experience required
Researchers with Canadian work experience
University professors, lecturers and post-secondary research roles.
Canadian experience required
Skilled military recruits
Specific Canadian Armed Forces roles with a multi-year offer.
Canadian experience required
Frequently asked questions
What are Express Entry category-based draws?
Since 2023, IRCC runs some Express Entry rounds that invite only candidates eligible for a specific category, such as healthcare, STEM, trades, education, transport or French-language proficiency. There are 10 categories for 2026. You still need an Express Entry profile and a CRS score, but only category-eligible candidates are invited in that round.
Do category-based draws have lower CRS scores than general draws?
IRCC does not promise this, but in the 2026 rounds so far the numbers show it: the general Canadian Experience Class round invited at 521, while the Healthcare category invited at 475 and French-language rounds at 382. The category you can enter often matters more than chasing points in the general pool.
How do I qualify for a category?
Most categories need at least 1 year of full-time (or equal part-time) work experience in an eligible occupation within the past 3 years. Physicians, senior managers, researchers and skilled military recruits require that experience to be Canadian. The French-language category needs NCLC 7 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Always confirm your exact occupation code against IRCC's official eligible-occupation list.
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