Overview
Category-based selection is a type of Express Entry invitation round. It does not create a fourth base immigration program. A candidate must first qualify for CEC, FSWP or FSTP and have a valid profile in the pool.
IRCC identifies candidates who meet the announced category instructions, ranks those candidates by CRS and may invite the highest-ranking profiles. Meeting a category does not guarantee that a round will occur or that the candidate will receive an invitation.
Current categories
10 categories in 2026
Base eligibility
CEC, FSWP or FSTP required
Ranking
Eligible candidates ranked by CRS
Detailed rules
Controlled by each round’s instructions
Eligibility and core rules
- Qualify for at least one of the three federal programs managed by Express Entry.
- Have a valid Express Entry profile when IRCC holds the category round.
- Meet every requirement in the ministerial instructions for that particular round.
- For French-language selection, meet at least NCLC 7 in all four French abilities and the round instructions.
- For the broad occupation categories, IRCC generally requires at least 12 months of full-time-equivalent work in one listed occupation during the previous three years; check the exact category page.
- For categories requiring Canadian experience, the qualifying listed work must have been gained in Canada.
How this works
- 01
Qualify for a base program
Meet CEC, FSWP or FSTP and submit an accurate Express Entry profile.
- 02
Meet a category
Your language, occupation, location of work or other facts must match the live category criteria.
- 03
Wait for a relevant round
IRCC chooses whether and when to hold a category round and publishes instructions for it.
- 04
Compete by CRS
Candidates eligible for that round are ranked, and the highest-ranking profiles may receive ITAs.
Documents and evidence
- All evidence required for the underlying CEC, FSWP or FSTP program
- Detailed employer letters and supporting records for the category occupation
- Valid French-language results for the French category
- Evidence of Canadian work location for Canadian-experience categories
- Any additional evidence required by the instructions for the exact round
Important distinctions and cautions
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Trade occupations category are not the same. FSTP is a base program; Trade occupations is an invitation category.
- A category does not add separate CRS points.
- Occupation lists and category instructions may change, so the live IRCC source controls.
- Use the View complete guide link below to open the independent page for the category you need.
Choose a 2026 category
Open the independent guide for the category you want to understand.
- 01French-language proficiencyView complete guide
- 02Healthcare and social services occupationsView complete guide
- 03STEM occupationsView complete guide
- 04Trade occupationsView complete guide
- 05Education occupationsView complete guide
- 06Transport occupationsView complete guide
- 07Physicians with Canadian work experienceView complete guide
- 08Senior managers with Canadian work experienceView complete guide
- 09Researchers with Canadian work experienceView complete guide
- 10Skilled military recruitsView complete guide
Official government sources
Use the live IRCC pages below to confirm the rules before relying on them.
General information only, not legal advice. IRCC may change rules, occupation lists or invitation instructions. The live government source controls.