Category-Based Express Entry Seen as Key PR Route
Canada’s category-based selection (CBS) system within the Express Entry framework continues to serve as a major pathway to permanent residence (PR). Introduced to better align immigration with labour market needs, the approach has become significant for applicants in targeted sectors.
Although the system has expanded access for some groups, recent draw patterns show that draw frequency and category changes continue to influence who benefits from these selections.
- Category-based selection was introduced in May 2023 to target chronic labour shortages.
- Draws in 2025 focused mainly on healthcare, education, and French-language proficiency.
- CRS cut-off scores in category-based draws were notably lower than other streams.
- French-language and healthcare draws represented the majority of 2025 invitations.
- No category-based draws have been held so far in 2026.
- The structure allows targeted recruitment but remains sensitive to policy adjustments.
Overview of Category-Based Selection
Category-based selection was rolled out by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in May 2023. The policy enables the federal government to invite candidates from specific occupational or linguistic groups through Express Entry. The initiative’s main goals are to address persistent workforce shortages in high-demand sectors and to strengthen francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Eligible categories currently include healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, agriculture and agri-food, education, physicians with Canadian work experience, and French-language proficiency. To qualify, candidates must first meet the requirements of an Express Entry program and have at least six months of relevant work experience within the past three years, or meet a set French-language benchmark.
Recent Draw Activity
In 2025, IRCC conducted 58 Express Entry draws, 19 of which were category-based. The majority targeted French-language proficiency (nine draws) and healthcare and social services (seven draws). Two draws were held for education and one for the trades category. No draws occurred for STEM, agriculture, or the newly introduced physicians category, which was added in December 2025 with draws expected to begin in 2026.
According to IRCC data, 67,250 of the 113,998 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in 2025 came from category-based draws—over half of all invitations that year.
Why Category-Based Draws Are Considered More Accessible
Lower CRS Cut-Off Scores
Category-based draws generally require lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores compared with other draw types, such as Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) rounds. In 2025, CRS thresholds for CEC ranged from 515 to 547, while PNP draws often exceeded 699 points. In contrast, healthcare draws under CBS ranged between 462 and 510, education between 462 and 479, and French-language draws between 379 and 481.
Work Experience Thresholds
Applicants need a minimum of six months of work experience in an eligible occupation to qualify under most CBS categories. This requirement is lower than that of the CEC, which requires one year of Canadian work experience, or most provincial programs, which often require two years. For example, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program both have higher experience and in-province employment expectations.
Targeted Occupations and Language Criteria
Seventy-nine distinct occupations currently qualify across CBS categories. These include 37 in healthcare and social services, 11 in STEM, 25 in trades, one in agriculture, and five in education. The physicians category includes three occupations overlapping with healthcare. French-language draws require meeting a Canadian Language Benchmark (NCLC) level 7, the threshold set by IRCC for francophone candidates.
Challenges and Limitations
Irregular Draw Schedules
Despite its accessibility, CBS is not guaranteed to run consistently across all categories. In some years, IRCC may not hold draws for certain sectors. In 2025, no STEM or agriculture draws occurred, limiting opportunities for those working in those fields.
Unpredictability of IRCC Priorities
IRCC’s annual priorities can shift, and the number of draws per category varies. Although healthcare, education, and trade were listed as 2025 priority areas, education saw only two draws and trades one. Irregular draw frequency can result in higher CRS cut-offs as pools of eligible candidates grow larger between rounds.
Changing Categories and Occupations
IRCC retains full discretion to modify or replace categories. In February 2025, the department restructured the system, removing the transport category, adding an education category, and adjusting the STEM list by removing 19 occupations. Further public consultations held later in 2025 proposed new categories focused on leadership, research, and national security, indicating future changes remain possible.
Limited Occupational Scope
While CBS offers targeted opportunities, its limited range means many occupations remain outside the eligible lists. Workers in non-targeted sectors are not considered in these draws unless their roles are included in other Express Entry programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class streams.
Outlook and Public Relevance
Since the federal government reduced its use of general draws in 2024, category-based rounds have become a principal mechanism for selecting skilled immigrants. The approach aligns with Canada’s labour market needs but remains dependent on evolving priorities and program updates.
As the 2026 draw calendar develops, observers continue to monitor IRCC’s use of category-based selection as a measure of Canada’s shifting immigration landscape.
For continued coverage on Express Entry and provincial nomination programs, visit our latest news section on Canadian immigration policy developments.