Express Entry
Category-based Express Entry draws: what they change for candidates
IRCC runs category-based rounds alongside general rounds. Here is how category selection works, who it favours, and why a lower cut-off does not mean lower standards.
On this page
What happened
Alongside general and program-specific rounds of invitations, IRCC invites candidates from categories set each year — including healthcare, trades, education, and French-language proficiency.
Why it matters
A candidate whose score sits below the general cut-off can still be invited if they meet a category's work-experience or language requirements. Category rounds usually show a lower CRS cut-off because the eligible pool is smaller, not because the bar has been lowered.
What to do
Check the category requirements against your own National Occupational Classification code and language results before assuming you qualify. Categories are re-set periodically, so an eligibility check from last year may no longer hold.
Our reading
Treat category eligibility as a second, separate test that sits on top of your Express Entry profile — not as a shortcut around it.
Official sources
- IRCC — Express Entry rounds of invitationsLast checked 2026-08-30
- IRCC — Category-based selectionLast checked 2026-08-30
This article was last reviewed against official sources on August 27, 2026.
This article is general educational information, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the official sources above or with a licensed Canadian immigration professional before you act.