Which Express Entry categories are there in 2026?

Ten: French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits. Agriculture and agri-food is no longer a category.

What do I need for the French-language category?

NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking) on a TCF Canada or TEF Canada result, plus an eligible Express Entry profile. Your job doesn't matter. Use the NCLC converter to turn your scores into levels.

How much work experience do the occupation categories need?

At least 12 months of full-time work, or the same amount part-time, within the last 3 years, in one listed occupation. The months don't have to be continuous. In 2025 the minimum was 6 months; IRCC raised it to 12 for 2026.

Can I be in more than one category?

Yes. Being in several categories means more rounds you can be invited in. A nurse with NCLC 7 in French can be invited in healthcare rounds and in French rounds.

Does being eligible mean I will get an invitation?

No. It means you can be considered in that round. IRCC invites the highest CRS scores among eligible people until the round is full. Compare your score with recent rounds on your ITA chances page.

Why are French category cut-offs so low?

Fewer people in the pool have NCLC 7 in French, and Canada wants more French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. So French rounds often invite people with scores well below the CEC rounds. See the latest on the French draw tracker.

Does experience in Canada count for physicians or senior managers abroad?

Those three categories (physicians, senior managers, researchers) only count work done in Canada. Doctors with experience abroad can still qualify through the healthcare and social services category.

Free tool · 2026 categories

Express Entry category checker

Find out which category-based draws you can enter in 2026. Pick your French level and your job, and see each category's latest cut-off. French is often the lowest bar to clear.

Not sure of your French level? Take the 10-question check

Example: change it to your level

Step 1

Your French level

The French category needs NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills, so your lowest skill decides.

How do you want to enter it?

NCLC of your lowest skill

Have TCF or TEF scores? Convert them to NCLC

Step 2

Your job

Occupation categories look at one job: the one you did longest in the last 3 years.

Selected occupation

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

NOC 31301TEER 1Healthcare and social services

Months in this job in the last 3 years

Full-time months. Part-time counts as the equal full-time amount. The months don't have to be in a row.

In Canada

months

Outside Canada

months

Example: change it to your level · Your 2026 category rounds

You can enter 1 category round

Healthcare and social services: You qualify

Close to: French-language proficiency

French rounds have cut off at 382 lately, against 518 for Canadian Experience Class rounds.

Being eligible gets you into the round. Invitations still go to the highest CRS scores in it.

Check my chances in these rounds

Categories you can enter

Healthcare and social services

You qualify

24 months in a listed occupation. The minimum is 12.

Latest round: Sep 4, 2026
Cut-off: 475
Invitations: 3,500

2 rounds in the last 6 months · 3 rounds and 11,500 invitations in 2026

Categories you're close to

French-language proficiency

Your lowest skill is NCLC 6. Bring every skill up to NCLC 7.

Your skills against NCLC 7

Lowest skillNCLC 6

Latest round: Aug 19, 2026
Cut-off: 382
Invitations: 5,000

7 rounds in the last 6 months · 10 rounds and 50,500 invitations in 2026

Program rounds (no category needed)

These rounds invite by program. You need the program's own eligibility, not a category.

Canadian Experience Class

For people with 1 year of skilled work in Canada.

Latest round: Sep 29, 2026
Cut-off: 518
Invitations: 2,000

11 rounds in the last 6 months · 17 rounds and 55,250 invitations in 2026

Provincial Nominee Program

For people nominated by a province. French helps in several streams.

Latest round: Sep 28, 2026
Cut-off: 725
Invitations: 733

12 rounds in the last 6 months · 19 rounds and 9,270 invitations in 2026

PNP cut-offs include the 600 points a nomination adds.

Other 2026 categories (8)

Not a match for your job or level right now. Here's what each one needs.

TradesCut-off 47612 months in the last 3 years in one of 25 listed occupations, in Canada or abroad.See all Trades rounds
STEMNo rounds in the last 6 months12 months in the last 3 years in one of 11 listed occupations, in Canada or abroad.See all STEM rounds
EducationCut-off 46212 months in the last 3 years in one of 5 listed occupations, in Canada or abroad.See all Education rounds
TransportCut-off 47012 months in the last 3 years in one of 4 listed occupations, in Canada or abroad.See all Transport rounds
PhysiciansCut-off 19812 months in the last 3 years in one of 3 listed occupations, gained in Canada.See all Physicians rounds
Senior managersCut-off 38912 months in the last 3 years in one of 4 listed occupations, gained in Canada.See all Senior managers rounds
ResearchersNo rounds in the last 6 months12 months in the last 3 years in one of 2 listed occupations, gained in Canada.See all Researchers rounds
Skilled military recruitsCut-off 368Foreign military members with 10+ years' service, a Canadian Armed Forces job offer and a 2-year post-secondary credential.See all Military rounds

Every category round also requires you to be in the Express Entry pool, eligible for CEC, FSW or FST. Check FSW eligibility

Last verified Oct 6, 2026Sources:IRCC: category-based selection(opens in a new tab)IRCC: 2026 categories announcement(opens in a new tab)IRCC: rounds of invitations(opens in a new tab)

Independent tool, not affiliated with IRCC. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.

How it works

How category-based draws work

Category rounds invite only people who meet one extra condition, so the cut-off is set by a smaller group.

Get into the pool
You first need an Express Entry profile that's eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades program.
Meet one category's condition
French: NCLC 7 in all four skills. Occupation categories: 12 months of work in the last 3 years in one listed job. Physicians, senior managers and researchers need that experience in Canada.
Rank high enough in that round
IRCC invites the highest CRS scores among the people who qualify for the round. A lower cut-off means a better chance for you.

Worked example

Amara, nurse, NCLC 6 in speaking

Amara is an example, not a real client. She has 2 years as a registered nurse abroad (NOC 31301) and NCLC 8, 7, 7 and 6 in French listening, reading, writing and speaking.

She already qualifies for healthcare rounds. She is close to the French category: one level in speaking stands between her and it.

Reaching NCLC 7 in speaking also adds the French bonus CRS points, so she gains twice: a second category and a higher score. Her next step is a speaking-focused study plan.

Make a week-by-week plan to NCLC 7 How French adds CRS points

2026 lists

Every eligible occupation, by category

IRCC's 2026 lists, with NOC 2021 codes. Your job must match the main duties of the NOC, not only the title.

French-language proficiency

No occupation list. Any job counts as long as you are eligible for Express Entry.

Healthcare and social services37 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
31100	Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine	1
31101	Specialists in surgery	1
31102	General practitioners and family physicians	1
31103	Veterinarians	1
31110	Dentists	1
31111	Optometrists	1
31112	Audiologists and speech-language pathologists	1
31120	Pharmacists	1
31121	Dietitians and nutritionists	1
31200	Psychologists	1
31201	Chiropractors	1
31202	Physiotherapists	1
31203	Occupational therapists	1
31209	Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating	1
31300	Nursing coordinators and supervisors	1
31301	Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses	1
31302	Nurse practitioners	1
31303	Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals	1
32101	Licensed practical nurses	2
32102	Paramedical occupations	2
32103	Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists	2
32104	Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians	2
32109	Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment	2
32111	Dental hygienists and dental therapists	2
32120	Medical laboratory technologists	2
32121	Medical radiation technologists	2
32122	Medical sonographers	2
32123	Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists	2
32124	Pharmacy technicians	2
32129	Other medical technologists and technicians	2
32201	Massage therapists	2
33101	Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations	3
33102	Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates	3
33103	Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants	3
41300	Social workers	1
41301	Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies	1
42201	Social and community service workers	2

Trades25 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
22303	Construction estimators	2
70010	Construction managers	0
70011	Home building and renovation managers	0
72100	Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors	2
72102	Sheet metal workers	2
72106	Welders and related machine operators	2
72200	Electricians (except industrial and power system)	2
72201	Industrial electricians	2
72300	Plumbers	2
72302	Gas fitters	2
72310	Carpenters	2
72311	Cabinetmakers	2
72320	Bricklayers	2
72400	Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics	2
72401	Heavy-duty equipment mechanics	2
72402	Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics	2
72422	Electrical mechanics	2
72501	Water well drillers	2
72999	Other technical trades and related occupations	2
73100	Concrete finishers	3
73110	Roofers and shinglers	3
73112	Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)	3
73113	Floor covering installers	3
82021	Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services	2
63201	Butchers – retail and wholesale	3

STEM11 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
20011	Architecture and science managers	0
21220	Cybersecurity specialists	1
21300	Civil engineers	1
21301	Mechanical engineers	1
21310	Electrical and electronics engineers	1
21321	Industrial and manufacturing engineers	1
21331	Geological engineers	1
22300	Civil engineering technologists and technicians	2
22301	Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians	2
22310	Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians	2
63100	Insurance agents and brokers	3

Education5 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
41220	Secondary school teachers	1
41221	Elementary school and kindergarten teachers	1
42202	Early childhood educators and assistants	2
42203	Instructors of persons with disabilities	2
43100	Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants	3

Transport4 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
72404	Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors	2
72600	Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors	2
22313	Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors	2
72410	Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers	2

PhysiciansExperience in Canada only3 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
31100	Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine	1
31101	Specialists in surgery	1
31102	General practitioners and family physicians	1

Senior managersExperience in Canada only4 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
00012	Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services	0
00013	Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations	0
00014	Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services	0
00015	Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities	0

ResearchersExperience in Canada only2 occupations

NOC	Occupation	TEER
41200	University professors and lecturers	1
41201	Post-secondary teaching and research assistants	1

Skilled military recruits3 occupations

For foreign military members recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces only.

NOC	Occupation	TEER
40042	Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces	0
42102	Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces	2
43204	Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces	3

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Keep going

NCLC 7 opens the French category

Start with a free 10-question level check. Then take a full mock test to see where you stand in each skill.

Check my French level

Free. About 7 minutes. No account needed.