Canada Highlights Priority PR Categories in Express Entry
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues to emphasize category-based selection draws in the federal Express Entry system, giving preference to candidates with French-language proficiency or recent work experience in high-demand sectors.
The federal government’s approach is intended to address labour shortages across targeted industries while supporting the country’s bilingualism objectives. These categories are open to both domestic and international candidates who meet the outlined eligibility criteria.
- French-language applicants must meet a minimum NCLC level 7 across all abilities.
- Occupational categories require six months of continuous, full-time work experience in the past three years.
- Healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, and education are among the eligible sectors.
- Physicians with Canadian work experience must have one full year of experience in Canada.
- Category-based draws often feature lower CRS score thresholds than general draws.
Overview of Category-Based Selection
Category-based selection (CBS) within Express Entry allows IRCC to invite candidates who meet defined criteria in areas such as language ability and occupation. Since its introduction, CBS has been a key mechanism for aligning immigration with labour market needs across Canada’s provinces and territories.
While general draws continue to operate, CBS draws are designed to focus on candidates with skills or linguistic abilities that match national priorities. This structure complements regional initiatives, including provincial nominee programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
Current Express Entry Categories
IRCC currently recognizes several categories under Express Entry’s targeted selection framework:
- French-language proficiency: Minimum NCLC level 7.
- Healthcare and social services: 37 eligible occupations.
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM): 11 occupations.
- Trades: 25 occupations.
- Agriculture and agri-food: One eligible occupation.
- Education: Five occupations.
- Physicians with Canadian work experience: Three occupations requiring one year of Canadian experience.
Eligibility Criteria and Work Experience Requirements
For most occupational categories, applicants must demonstrate at least six months of continuous, full-time employment in one eligible occupation within the last three years. This experience may be obtained either in Canada or abroad. The newly added physicians’ category differs slightly, requiring one year of Canadian work experience in a qualifying occupation.
All experience claimed must align with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes associated with each designated occupation. Candidates must also have completed the majority of the main duties listed for that NOC code to ensure eligibility.
Language Proficiency Requirement
The French-language proficiency category focuses on those achieving Canadian Language Benchmark (NCLC) level 7 or higher. This standard applies across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The inclusion of a dedicated French-language stream supports the federal government’s strategy to strengthen francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Comparative CRS Scores and Draw Trends
Category-based draws under Express Entry often present lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoffs compared to general or program-specific rounds. The trend reflects IRCC’s effort to attract specific skill sets rather than relying solely on aggregate CRS scores.
For example, in 2025, cutoffs for the healthcare category ranged between 462 and 510 points, illustrating the variable thresholds applied across different sectors. The frequency of draws also varies, with healthcare and STEM categories typically appearing more often than trades or agriculture.
Historical Context and Policy Evolution
Canada first introduced category-based draws in 2023 to enhance the flexibility of Express Entry. Since then, IRCC has continued to refine category criteria to respond to national workforce demands. The addition of the physicians’ category in December 2025 represents the most recent expansion of this approach.
Each update to the system aims to ensure a balance between economic immigration needs and equitable access for candidates across linguistic and professional backgrounds.
Monitoring Draw Results and Eligibility
Candidates can review past draws conducted under each Express Entry category to understand historical CRS cutoffs and frequency patterns. Analyzing previous results provides insight into how often particular sectors have been prioritized and the competitiveness of each stream.
While past results do not predict future draws, the data illustrates IRCC’s evolving focus areas. In 2025, for instance, seven healthcare draws were conducted, compared with one for trades-related occupations.
Program Relevance Across Canada
Federal category-based selection complements regional labour strategies. Provinces such as Manitoba, through the MPNP, and others across Canada continue to use their own nomination pathways to identify candidates aligned with local economic needs. Together, these measures contribute to a more responsive national immigration framework.
Ongoing Updates and System Accessibility
IRCC updates Express Entry draw information on a continuing basis, detailing the number of invitations issued, category focus, and CRS thresholds. This data enables stakeholders to track changes in selection patterns and assess how category-based draws interact with broader immigration objectives.
As the program evolves, category-based selection remains a central instrument in meeting Canada’s immigration and labour market goals, particularly in addressing shortages in healthcare, technology, and other critical sectors.
Further updates can be followed through official federal immigration releases and related provincial program announcements.