Why category-based selection remains the most accessible pathway to PR for many
For many, getting drawn through an Express Entry category remains one of the most accessible paths to permanent residence (PR).
Compared to other draw types, category-based selection (CBS) typically requires a lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score and work experience requirements.
There are, however, drawbacks to consider that may reduce accessibility for some—such as draw frequency, and category eligibility.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories
Throughout this article, we’ll delve into why CBS is a great pathway to PR for some, while also exploring downsides of relying on CBS for your PR journey.
About category-based selection
CBS was implemented in May 2023 as a way to fill chronic labour shortages in select fields, as well as expand francophone immigration across Canada.
Those in an eligible occupation or with sufficient French-language skills may have an easier chance of being drawn under a category, compared to other draw types—such as Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws.
The current Express Entry categories are:
- Healthcare and social services;
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM);
- Trade;
- Agriculture and agri-food;
- Education;
- Physicians with Canadian work experience; and
- French-language proficiency.
To be invited to apply for PR through an Express Entry category, you need to be eligible for an Express Entry program, have at least six months of qualifying work experience (in Canada or abroad)* in an eligible occupation (or reach a certain French language level), and meet all ministerial instructions for that round.
*Note that the “Physicians with Canadian work experience” category is unique in that it requires 12 months of work experience gained exclusively in Canada.
In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held 19 category-based draws (out of a total 58 draws conducted), broken down as such:
| Category | Number of draws conducted | Months in which draws were conducted |
|---|---|---|
| French-language proficiency | 9 | -February (1) -March (2) -August (1) -September (1) -October (2) -November (1) -December (1) |
| Healthcare and social services | 7 | -May (1) -June (1) -July (1) -August (1) -October (1) -November (1) -December (1) |
| Education | 2 | -May (1) -September (1) |
| Trade | 1 | -September (1) |
| STEM | 0 | N/A |
| Agriculture and agri-food | 0 | N/A |
| *Physicians with Canadian work experience | 0 | N/A |
*The “Physicians with Canadian work experience” category was introduced on December 8, 2025, and no draws have been held under this category to date. Draws for this category are to begin “in early 2026.”
Thus far in 2026, IRCC has yet to hold any category-based draws.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories
Why category-based selection is an accessible PR pathway
The reasoning behind CBS behind a more accessible pathway to PR for certain candidates generally boils down to the following:
- Lower CRS cut-off scores than other draw types;
- Low work experience requirements; and
- Targeted occupations.
Lower CRS cut-offs
CBS is generally seen as more accessible because category-based draws typically have significantly lower CRS cut-off scores than these other draw types (e.g., CEC or PNP draws).
While it is true that IRCC always invites the highest-scoring candidates for PR, due to the smaller subset of candidates that qualify for category-based selection, even those with lower CRS scores have a chance to be invited to immigrate.
To illustrate: In 2025, cut-off scores for CEC draws ranged from 515–547, and PNP draws saw cutoffs from 699–855. Comparatively, cut-off scores for category-based draws (for categories drawn) ranged from:
| Category | CRS cut-off score range |
|---|---|
| Healthcare and social services | 462–510 |
| Trade | 505 (single draw) |
| Education | 462–479 |
| French-language proficiency | 379-481 |
More than half (59%) of the invitations to apply (ITAs) distributed through Express Entry in 2025 were through category-based selection, to individuals with CRS scores far below those seen for CEC or PNP draws—67,250 out of a total of 113,998 ITAs.
French draws, looking at recent patterns, have had the lowest cutoffs compared to other category-based draw types and non-category draw types, making obtaining PR through a French draw—especially if you already have some French-language skills under your belt (e.g., you are at an NCLC level 4) and are willing to work towards the required NCLC level 7.
Low work experience requirements
CBS is also seen as an easier pathway to PR for some individuals because to qualify for an occupational category, you generally need only six months of work experience in a single qualifying National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, gained in Canada or abroad. This must have been in the last three years.
On the other hand, to be drawn in a CEC round, you must have gained at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) Canadian work experience in the last three years.
PNP draws are also more difficult to qualify for than category-based draws, as you need to first obtain a provincial nomination, and many provinces not only prioritize in-Canada (and more specifically, in-province) candidates, but also generally have higher work experience requirements—often one year or more.
For example, British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program’s Express Entry-linked Skilled Worker stream requires two years of relevant work experience to qualify.
Being invited through a PNP draw requires meeting both federal program requirements, as well as provincial stream requirements, which can make this a more difficult pathway to PR compared to CBS.
Targeted occupations and language levels
Those who already qualify for an Express Entry program and have work experience in a targeted occupation have an advantage in pursuing PR through CBS.
But even those who are thinking about transitioning careers can benefit, needing only to gain six months’ worth of experience in an eligible occupation to get drawn—with the ability to do so from abroad, no less.
Across all occupational categories under Express Entry CBS, there are *79 eligible occupations, broken down as such by category:
| Category | Number of eligible NOCs |
|---|---|
| Healthcare and social services | 37 |
| STEM | 11 |
| Trade | 25 |
| Agriculture and agri-food | 1 |
| Education | 5 |
| Physicians with Canadian work experience | 3 |
*The three occupations under the “Physicians with Canadian work experience” category are also eligible under the “Healthcare and social services” category, meaning there are only 79 unique eligible occupations, despite the table equaling 82.
For a detailed breakdown on which occupations are eligible under CBS, see our dedicated webpage.
As for French-language proficiency draws, candidates need only meet a Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 to qualify—which, for fast language learners or those with time on their hands to learn, is more than attainable.
BONUS: Since the federal government moved away from general draws (with the last one having taken place on April 23, 2024) and hasn't held a “No Program Specified” draw since October 10, 2023, CBS provides a chance at PR for those who
- Don’t qualify for or have a competitive enough CRS score for a CEC draw; or
- No longer have a chance to be drawn through a targeted program draw outside the CEC.
- IRCC hasn’t held a Federal Skilled Worker Program-specific draw since February 2, 2023.
- IRCC hasn’t held a Federal Skilled Trades Program-specific draw since August 6, 2020.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories
Drawbacks of category-based selection
Though obtaining PR through CBS is generally an approachable strategy for many, it can be seen as equally disadvantageous for four reasons:
1) Even if an individual attains sufficient work experience in a CBS-eligible occupation, and thereby becomes eligible for a particular Express Entry category, IRCC may choose not to conduct a draw for that category at all in any given year.
Draws can be very infrequent and are dependent on changing priorities. For example, IRCC did not hold any STEM or agriculture and agri-food draws in 2025.
This leaves those wishing to immigrate through CBS to have to rely on being drawn through a CEC draw if they meet CEC program requirements and have a competitive enough CRS score, or a PNP draw—provided they can successfully obtain a provincial nomination.
2) Category-based draws are relatively unpredictable.
While IRCC may provide indications as to what its yearly priorities are, it’s impossible to predict exactly how many draws there will be under a given category each year—and whether the department will adhere to its priority categories.
For example, in 2025, IRCC identified its priority occupational categories for the year as healthcare and social services, trade, and education. Despite this, it only held one trade draw, and two education draws (against a total of seven healthcare draws).
Infrequent draws also tend to contribute to higher CRS cut-off scores, as more eligible candidates build up in the Express Entry pool and skew score distributions higher.
3) IRCC may change its categories and eligible occupations.
Because IRCC can change its categories at any time without prior notice, individuals who one day are eligible for CBS may very well not be the next.
That can make it particularly difficult to plan your PR journey around CBS. For example, say you are coming to Canada on a study permit—by the time you graduate and gain the necessary work experience, IRCC may completely reshuffle its categories and eligible occupations.
In February of 2025, IRCC did just that when it announced a complete overhaul of Express Entry categories, removing the Transport category and adding an Education category. In addition, all other existing categories were shaken up—with numerous eligible occupations added or removed, with the STEM category seeing 19 eligible occupations removed.
This year, we may see some new categories introduced under CBS (as per public consultation held between August and September 2025), including leadership, research and innovation, and national security and defence. What this may mean for existing categories is currently unclear.
4) Ineligibility due to targeted sectors or occupations
Just as targeted sectors and occupations can make someone eligible for immigration through CBS, that same targeting can also have downsides.
Because there are only six occupational categories under CBS, certain individuals will find themselves ineligible for consideration. And even if you work in an eligible sector (e.g., healthcare and social services), your occupation may not be featured on the list of eligible occupations for that category—rendering you unable to immigrate through CBS.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
