The biggest change: since March 25, 2025 a job offer adds zero CRS points, down from 50 or 200. IRCC also lowered overall immigration targets, refreshed its category-based selection draws by adding and dropping categories, and CRS cut-off scores kept shifting across the different draw types.
Express Entry is Canada's primary pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers. In 2025 and 2026 the program changed in several important ways. The single biggest change for many candidates: effective March 25, 2025, IRCC removed the bonus CRS points a job offer used to provide (arranged employment now adds zero points, down from 50 or 200). IRCC also reduced overall immigration targets, refreshed its category-based selection draws (adding and dropping categories), and CRS cutoff scores continued to shift across draw types. This guide explains what changed, what stayed the same, and how to realistically position yourself for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in 2026. It is educational information, not legal advice, and an IRCC officer ultimately decides every application.
What Changed from 2024 to 2026
The 2025-2026 Immigration Levels Plan reduced the new permanent resident target for all economic programs, including Express Entry. Key changes include:
- •Job-offer CRS points removed: Effective March 25, 2025, IRCC removed the additional CRS points that arranged employment (a valid job offer) used to provide. Candidates previously received 50 points for most eligible job offers, or 200 points for a senior-management NOC TEER 0 Major Group 00 role; both are now zero. IRCC has called this a temporary measure with no announced end date. A job offer can still help in other ways (for example, as part of Federal Skilled Trades eligibility, certain PNP streams, or to obtain a work permit), but it no longer adds CRS points. What this means in practice: if your past CRS estimate counted on job-offer points, recalculate without them.
- •Reduced admissions targets: Canada reduced its planned new permanent resident admissions for 2025 and 2026 compared with earlier, higher plans, including for the Federal High Skilled stream that covers Express Entry. In practice this meant fewer total ITAs issued than in the peak 2023 period. Verify the current year targets in the published Immigration Levels Plan on IRCC.
- •Category-based draws took over: IRCC continued issuing category-specific rounds under the Ministerial Instructions power in IRPA s.10.3, and in practice they have replaced general rounds: no general all-program round has been held since 2024. These rounds invite candidates in a named category at a cutoff set for that category, rather than against the whole pool.
- •French-language draws expanded: IRCC significantly increased the volume of Francophone immigration draws as part of its commitment to French-speaking immigration outside Quebec under IRPA s.3(1)(b.1). These draws often have substantially lower CRS cutoffs.
- •Processing time target: IRCC maintained its 6-month processing time target for 80% of complete Express Entry applications. Actual times varied based on application volumes and IRCC staffing.
Important: Important: Exact CRS cutoff scores change with every draw. This guide provides context and historical trends only. Use the CRS Calculator to calculate your current score, and track the latest Express Entry draw results and CRS cutoffs on our draw tracker. CRS Calculator and track the latest draw results on our draw tracker.
Category-Based Selection Draws: How They Work
Category-based selection rounds are authorized by Ministerial Instructions issued under IRPA s.10.3, which lets the Minister establish categories and rank candidates within them. Candidates must still have a valid Express Entry profile and meet the base program requirements. For 2026, IRCC raised the category minimum work-experience requirement to 12 months (up from 6 months); verify the current criteria on IRCC.
IRCC sets these categories and they change; always verify the current categories and draw history on canada.ca before relying on them. The February 27, 2025 announcement named four category rounds for 2025: French-language proficiency, health care and social services, trades, and education. STEM and agriculture and agri-food were dropped in that overhaul. The February 18, 2026 announcement then added five more categories: physicians (foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, first announced in December 2025), researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations (for example pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors), and skilled military recruits of the Canadian Armed Forces. That release named French, health care and social services, and trades as the categories whose rounds would continue. IRCC also raised the minimum work experience for renewed categories to 1 year. IRCC's category-based selection page, last updated June 22, 2026, lists ten current categories in total: French-language proficiency, health care and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians, senior managers, researchers and skilled military recruits. The important nuance for planning: STEM and education are still established categories on that list, but no STEM or education round has been held in 2026 to date. Through round #436 on August 18, 2026, the 2026 rounds actually held were CEC, PNP, French, transport, skilled military, senior managers, health care, physicians, trades and researchers, and there has been no general all-program round since 2024. The examples below are illustrative of recent practice, not a guaranteed current list:
French-language proficiency (drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Open across occupations; the key requirement is demonstrated French-language proficiency (commonly CLB 7 or higher; verify the current threshold on IRCC).
The most frequently drawn category in 2026, with nine rounds through August 18. Cutoffs have been the lowest of any large category. Candidates with strong French, even alongside English, usually have a substantial advantage.
Health care and social services occupations (drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Examples can include nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and chiropractors, among other selected occupations. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes on IRCC.
Named in both the 2025 and 2026 announcements as a continuing category, and drawn twice in 2026 through August 18. Canada faces significant health care labour shortages.
Trades occupations (drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Examples can include electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters and machinists. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes on IRCC.
Named in both the 2025 and 2026 announcements as a continuing category. One trades round was held in 2026 through August 18. Trades cutoffs have often been below general-draw levels.
Transport (new for 2026, drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Certain transport occupations such as pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes on IRCC.
Added by the February 18, 2026 announcement and drawn twice in 2026 through August 18.
Physicians with Canadian work experience (new for 2026, drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes and experience requirement on IRCC.
First announced in December 2025 and confirmed in the February 18, 2026 announcement. Two rounds were held in 2026 through August 18, at the lowest cutoffs of any category.
Senior managers with Canadian work experience (new for 2026, drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Senior managers with Canadian work experience. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes on IRCC.
Added by the February 18, 2026 announcement and drawn twice in 2026 through August 18, in small rounds.
Researchers with Canadian work experience (new for 2026, drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Research occupations, with Canadian work experience. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes on IRCC.
Added by the February 18, 2026 announcement. One round was held, on February 18, 2026.
Skilled military recruits (new for 2026, drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Highly skilled foreign applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces in roles such as military doctors, nurses and pilots. Confirm the exact criteria on IRCC.
Added by the February 18, 2026 announcement. Two very small rounds were held in 2026 through August 18.
STEM occupations (listed category, not drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes on IRCC.
STEM was dropped from the 2025 round line-up in the February 2025 overhaul, and it appears on IRCC's current category list, but no STEM round has been held in 2026 through August 18. Treat it as an established category that is not currently being drawn.
Education occupations (listed category, not drawn in 2026)
Eligible NOC codes: Examples can include teachers, child care educators and instructors of persons with disabilities. Confirm the exact eligible NOC codes on IRCC.
Education was a 2025 round category and remains on IRCC's current category list, but the February 18, 2026 announcement did not name it among the continuing rounds and no education round has been held in 2026 through August 18.
IRCC sets these categories and they change; verify the current categories and draw history on canada.ca. The list above reflects IRCC's category-based selection page as last updated June 22, 2026, plus the February 18, 2026 announcement and the rounds actually held through August 18, 2026. Being listed as a category is not a promise that a round will be held. Use the NOC Finder to identify your correct NOC code. NOC Finder.
CRS Score Trends by Draw Type: 2025 to 2026
CRS cutoff scores vary significantly across draw types. The table below shows the actual 2026 cutoff range for every draw type IRCC has used this year, from round #388 on January 6 through round #436 on August 18, 2026. Draw types with no row simply have not been drawn in 2026. Treat these as history, not predictions: actual cutoffs change with every draw.
| Draw Type | 2026 CRS Cutoff Range (through Aug 18) | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 708 to 805 | Includes the 600-point nomination, so cutoffs look high; the underlying base scores are far lower |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 507 to 523 | The only base-program draw type running in 2026; benefits candidates with Canadian work experience |
| Researchers | 481 (one round) | New for 2026; one round on February 18, 2026 |
| Trades | 477 (one round) | Continuing category; one round on April 2, 2026 |
| Health care and social services | 463 to 475 | Continuing category, two rounds in 2026 |
| Transport | 441 to 470 | New for 2026; two rounds, covering pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors |
| Senior managers | 392 to 429 | New for 2026; two small rounds for senior managers with Canadian work experience |
| French-language proficiency | 391 to 420 | The most frequently drawn category in 2026 and among the lowest cutoffs; strong French gives a major advantage |
| Skilled military recruits | 320 to 368 | New for 2026; two very small rounds (4 to 100 invitations) |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 169 to 223 | New for 2026; the lowest cutoffs of any category, in small targeted rounds |
| General / all-program | Not drawn in 2026 | No general all-program round has been held since 2024 |
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | Not drawn in 2026 | No program-specific FSW or FST round has been held in 2026 |
| STEM, Education | Not drawn in 2026 | Both remain established categories on IRCC's list, but neither has been drawn in 2026 |
These ranges come from IRCC's published rounds of invitations, rounds #388 to #436 (January 6 to August 18, 2026). They are history, not guaranteed future cutoffs. Check the draw tracker or IRCC draw results for the latest.
Processing Times: Express Entry 2026
IRCC's service standard for Express Entry applications is 6 months for 80% of complete applications. This clock starts from the date you submit your complete PR application after receiving an ITA, not from your pool entry date.
Factors affecting processing time:
- •Completeness of application, missing documents are the most common cause of delays
- •Country of citizenship and residence, some countries require additional processing through Canadian visa offices
- •Criminal inadmissibility, a criminal record triggers additional IRCC and CBSA review
- •Security checks, can add weeks or months for certain applicants
- •Medical inadmissibility review, excessive demand assessments take months
- •IRCC staffing and volume at time of submission
- •Biometrics completion, biometrics must be completed for the application to advance
How to Improve Your CRS Score
The CRS is not set out in the Regulations. It is established by Ministerial Instructions issued under IRPA s.10.3, which is also the authority for category-based selection. The separate 67-point Federal Skilled Worker selection grid lives in IRPR ss.76 to 83 and is an eligibility test, not the CRS. Key score-building strategies:
- 1
Improve language test scores
Language (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada) is the single biggest CRS factor. Improving from CLB 8 to CLB 9 in English can add a meaningful number of CRS points (see IRCC's CRS language tables). Adding French (CLB 7+) unlocks bilingual bonus points and French-language draw eligibility.
- 2
Get a Provincial Nomination
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, which almost always places a candidate above general-draw cutoffs. It is now the largest single CRS boost available, especially since job-offer points were removed. Use the Pathway Explorer to browse the published criteria for each PNP by occupation and province; an officer still decides each application.
- 3
Gain Canadian work experience
CEC candidates (1+ years of Canadian work experience in NOC TEER 0-3) earn additional points and are eligible for CEC-specific draws which often have lower CRS cutoffs than FSW draws.
- 4
Complete a credential assessment
Having your foreign credentials assessed by a recognized body (WES, IQAS, etc.) can add points if your education level is equivalent to a Canadian credential tier.
- 5
Verify your NOC code
Being classified in an eligible NOC category for category-based draws gives you access to lower-cutoff draws. Use the NOC Finder to confirm your correct classification.
- 6
Age optimization
CRS awards maximum age points at 20 to 29 years. Points decline after 30. If you are approaching 30, prioritize profile submission timing.
Express Entry Programs: Quick Reference
| Program | Key Requirement | IRPR Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | 1 year skilled work experience (TEER 0/1/2/3), CLB 7, passing score on FSW grid (67/100) | IRPR s.75-s.83 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 1 year Canadian work experience (TEER 0/1/2/3) in past 3 years, CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3) | IRPR s.87.1 |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | 2 years skilled trades experience (TEER 2/3), CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing, job offer or trades certificate | IRPR s.87.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get extra CRS points for a job offer in Express Entry in 2026?+
Generally no. Effective March 25, 2025, IRCC removed the bonus CRS points that a valid job offer (arranged employment) used to provide. Before that date a job offer added 50 points for most eligible roles, or 200 points for a senior-management NOC TEER 0 Major Group 00 role; those points are now zero. IRCC has described this as a temporary measure with no announced end date. A job offer can still matter in other ways: it may form part of eligibility for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, support certain Provincial Nominee Program streams, or help you obtain a work permit so you can later gain Canadian experience. Verify current rules on IRCC before relying on any job-offer benefit.
Does an LMIA-backed job offer still boost my CRS score in 2026?+
Generally no. Since March 25, 2025, no job offer adds CRS points, whether or not it is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA-backed offer may still be relevant to a work permit or to some Provincial Nominee Program streams, but it does not raise your CRS ranking in the Express Entry pool. To increase your CRS you generally focus on language scores, education, Canadian work experience, age, and a provincial nomination (which still adds 600 points). Confirm the current rules on IRCC.
Will job offer points be reintroduced to Express Entry?+
IRCC has described the March 25, 2025 removal as temporary, but it has not announced an end date, and as of mid-2026 no reintroduction is in force. Treat any reintroduction as unconfirmed until IRCC publishes it, and verify the current CRS criteria on IRCC before relying on job-offer points.
What are the Express Entry categories for 2026?+
IRCC's category-based selection page, last updated June 22, 2026, lists ten current categories: French-language proficiency, health care 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. The February 18, 2026 announcement added the last five of those and named French, health care and social services, and trades as the categories whose rounds would continue from 2025. Being listed is not the same as being drawn. Through round #436 on August 18, 2026, the categories actually drawn in 2026 were French, transport, skilled military, senior managers, health care, physicians, trades and researchers, alongside CEC and PNP rounds. No STEM or education round has been held in 2026, and there has been no general all-program round since 2024. Always verify the current categories and draw history on canada.ca.
Can I apply for Express Entry with a criminal record?+
A criminal record may make you inadmissible to Canada under IRPA s.36. You must disclose your criminal history when creating your Express Entry profile. IRCC will assess inadmissibility at the time of ITA and PR application. Do not misrepresent your record: IRPA s.40(1)(a) misrepresentation creates a 5-year inadmissibility.
What is the minimum CRS score to get an ITA in 2026?+
There is no single minimum, and the answer depends on which rounds are actually running. In 2026 through August 18, CEC rounds cut off between 507 and 523 and PNP rounds between 708 and 805 (the PNP figure includes the 600-point nomination). Category rounds sat lower: health care 463 to 475, transport 441 to 470, French 391 to 420, senior managers 392 to 429, skilled military 320 to 368, and physicians 169 to 223. No general all-program round has been held since 2024. Use the CRS Calculator to check your score and the draw tracker for the latest cutoffs.
How long is an Express Entry profile valid?+
An Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. If you do not receive an ITA within 12 months, your profile expires. You can create a new profile immediately after expiry.
Does reducing immigration targets mean fewer Express Entry draws?+
Not necessarily fewer draws, but fewer total ITAs issued across all draws. IRCC may run the same frequency of draws but reduce the number of invitations per draw, or reduce the frequency of large general draws. Category-based draws continued throughout the target reduction period.
Check your Express Entry eligibility
Use our free tools to calculate your CRS score, find your NOC code, and identify eligible programs.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.