Who qualifies for a category?
For occupation categories such as healthcare, STEM, trades, education and transport, you need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same in part-time), not necessarily continuous, in one listed occupation within the past 3 years, in Canada or abroad. For the French category you need NCLC 7 or higher in all four skills. You must also be eligible for an Express Entry program.
The 2026 categories
| Category | Key requirement | 2026 rounds | Cut-off range | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | NCLC 7 in all 4 skills | 11 | 382 - 435 | 52,000 |
| Healthcare and social services | 12 months in a listed occupation | 2 | 475 - 475 | 7,500 |
| STEM occupations | 12 months in a listed occupation | - | - | - |
| Trade occupations | 12 months in a listed occupation | 2 | 476 - 477 | 6,500 |
| Education occupations | 12 months in a listed occupation | - | - | - |
| Transport occupations | 12 months in a listed occupation | 2 | 470 - 477 | 450 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 12 months in Canada | 2 | 198 - 223 | 500 |
| Senior managers with Canadian work experience | 12 months in Canada | 3 | 389 - 429 | 1,000 |
| Researchers with Canadian work experience | 12 months in Canada | - | - | - |
| Skilled military recruits | 10 years' service and a CAF job offer | 1 | 368 - 368 | 4 |
Is there a separate CRS calculator for healthcare, trades or French?
No. Category rounds use the same CRS score; only the pool of eligible candidates changes. Use the main CRS calculator, then compare your score with the category cut-offs above or on the draws page. For French, see French points and TEF or TCF conversion tables.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CRS cut-off for healthcare workers?
Healthcare and social services rounds in 2026 closed at 475 - 475.
Can I be in more than one category?
Yes. If you meet the rules of several categories you can be invited in any of those rounds.
Do I need to choose a category in my profile?
No. IRCC checks your profile details, such as occupation and language results, against each round's instructions.
Want your own number? The CRS calculator scores your profile under the 3 November 2026 rules, or and download a PDF report.