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Express Entry

Canada's flagship immigration system managing 3 economic PR programs. Over 44,000 ITAs issued in the first 10 weeks of 2026 alone, with a 380,000 annual PR target.

Three Express Entry Programs

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)

~94 days AOR to eCoPR

For skilled workers with foreign work experience. Requires 1+ year continuous full-time work in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). Must score 67+ on the FSW points grid.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

~58 days AOR to eCoPR

For workers with Canadian work experience. Requires 1+ year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years. No education requirement.

Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

~6 months

For workers qualified in a skilled trade. Requires 2+ years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade. Must have a valid job offer or trade certificate.

CRS Scores & Draw Types (2026)

Draw TypeCRS RangeNotes
General (CEC)508-511Traditional CRS-ranked draws
PNP746600 base + PNP boost; 681 ITAs first draw of 2026
Healthcare~300-400Targeted healthcare workers
STEM~350-450Science, Tech, Engineering, Math
French Language~300-400French proficiency priority
Trades~300-400Skilled trades workers
Physicians169Record-low CRS; 391 ITAs (Feb 2026)
Senior Managers429250 ITAs (Mar 2026 draw)

2026 Category-Based Draw Categories

  1. French language proficiency
  2. Healthcare and social services occupations
  3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
  4. Trade occupations
  5. Education occupations
  6. Physicians with Canadian work experience
  7. Senior managers with Canadian work experience
  8. Researchers with Canadian work experience
  9. Skilled military recruits

CRS Points Breakdown

Core Factors

FactorMax Points
Age (20-29)110
Education (Doctoral)150
First Language (CLB 10+)136
Second Language (CLB 10+)24
Canadian Work Experience (5+ yrs)80

Spouse Factors

Spouse Education10
Spouse Language20
Spouse Canadian Experience10

Additional Factors

Provincial Nomination (PNP)600
Valid Job Offer (TEER 0)200
Valid Job Offer (TEER 1-3)50
Canadian Education30
French Language Bonus50
Sibling in Canada15

Language Requirements: CLB to IELTS Equivalency

CLBIELTSNote
CLB 76.0 each bandMinimum for FSW
CLB 86.5 L/R, 6.5 W, 6.5 SCompetitive threshold
CLB 97.0 L, 6.5 R, 7.0 W, 7.0 SStrong CRS boost
CLB 10+8.0+ L, 7.0+ R, 7.5+ W, 7.5+ SMaximum CRS points

2026 Immigration Levels Plan

Total PR admissions target: 380,000 per year (2026-2028). Economic class receives ~64% share. Up to 33,000 temporary workers fast-tracked to PR across 2026-2027.

Processing Times (March 2026)

StreamService StandardActual
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)6 months~58 days
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)6 months~94 days
PNP (Express Entry-linked)6 months~78 days
PNP (Non-EE / paper-based)15-19 months13-18 months

5 New Category-Based Draw Types for 2026

In 2026, IRCC expanded category-based draws with 5 new targeted categories, allowing candidates with specific in-demand skills to receive ITAs at significantly lower CRS scores than general draws.

Transport Occupations

New for 2026

Targeting workers in transportation and logistics sectors critical to supply chain infrastructure

Physicians

CRS: 169

First draw 19 February 2026 with record-low CRS of 169; 391 ITAs issued. Requires Canadian work experience.

Senior Managers

CRS: 429

First draw 5 March 2026 with CRS of 429; 250 ITAs issued. Requires Canadian work experience in management roles.

Researchers

New category

Targeting researchers with Canadian work experience in academic, scientific, or industrial research.

Skilled Military Recruits

New category

Targeting skilled military recruits to support Canadian Armed Forces staffing needs.

NOC TEER Categories Explained

Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) uses the TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) system to categorize occupations. Your TEER level determines Express Entry eligibility.

TEEREducationExamplesEE Eligibility
TEER 0Management experience typically requiredSenior managers, financial managers, engineering managersFSW, CEC
TEER 1University degree (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral)Software engineers, accountants, physicians, lawyersFSW, CEC
TEER 2College diploma (2-3 years) or apprenticeship training (2+ years)Medical lab technicians, electrical trades, dental hygienistsFSW, CEC
TEER 3College diploma (under 2 years) or apprenticeship (under 2 years)Bakers, dental assistants, veterinary techniciansFSW, CEC
TEER 4High school diploma or weeks of on-the-job trainingHome support workers, retail salespersonsCEC only (with Canadian experience)
TEER 5Short work demonstration or no formal educationLandscaping labourers, food counter attendantsCEC only (with Canadian experience)

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The AIP is a dedicated pathway for skilled workers and international graduates to settle in Canada's four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

2026 Target4,000 permanent residents
Work Experience1,560 hours (approximately 1 year full-time)
Language RequirementCLB 4 (TEER 2/3 roles) or CLB 5 (TEER 0/1 roles)
LMIA RequirementLMIA-exempt (employer must be designated)
Employer EndorsementRequired from a designated Atlantic employer
Settlement PlanMust be endorsed by an authorized settlement service provider

H-1B Fast-Track to Canada PR

Launched January 2, 2026, this pathway allows current H-1B visa holders in the United States to fast-track Canadian permanent residence.

Launch DateJanuary 2, 2026
Annual Cap25,000 slots
Processing Time6-10 weeks
Cost~$600-$800 CAD (~$440-$590 USD)
Canadian Experience RequiredNot mandatory; selection focuses on high-value skills (tech, engineering)
PR EligibilityAfter 12-24 months, eligible for PR through Express Entry or Global Talent Stream

FAQ

What CRS score do I need for Express Entry in 2026?
For general draws, CRS scores have ranged from 508-511. However, category-based draws have much lower cut-offs: physicians at 169, healthcare at 300-400, and STEM at 350-450. A PNP nomination adds 600 points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA.
How long does Express Entry processing take?
CEC applications are currently processed in about 58 days. FSW takes about 94 days. Express Entry-linked PNP takes about 78 days. All are well within the 6-month service standard.
What are the three Express Entry programs?
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) for foreign-experienced workers, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for those with Canadian work experience, and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) for qualified tradespeople.
What are category-based draws?
Since 2023, IRCC selects candidates based on specific categories rather than just CRS score. In 2026, there are 9 categories including healthcare, STEM, French language, trades, education, physicians, senior managers, researchers, and skilled military recruits.
How many ITAs has Canada issued in 2026?
Over 44,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued in the first 10 weeks of 2026 alone. Canada aims to admit 380,000 permanent residents in 2026.
Does French language proficiency help my application?
Yes, significantly. French speakers get bonus CRS points (up to 50 additional points) and have access to French-language category draws with much lower CRS cut-offs of 300-400.
What is the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)?
The AIP is a dedicated immigration pathway for settling in Canada's four Atlantic provinces. It targets 4,000 PR spots in 2026, requires 1,560 hours of work experience, CLB 4-5 language scores, and is LMIA-exempt. Employers must be designated under the program.
Can H-1B holders fast-track to Canadian PR?
Yes. Canada launched an H-1B fast-track pathway on January 2, 2026. It has a 25,000 annual cap, processes in 6-10 weeks, costs approximately $600-$800 CAD, and does not require prior Canadian work experience. Candidates can become eligible for full PR after 12-24 months.
What are TEER categories and how do they affect Express Entry?
TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) is Canada's occupational classification system. TEER 0-3 occupations are eligible for both FSW and CEC programs. TEER 4-5 are only eligible through CEC with Canadian work experience. Your TEER level affects which Express Entry program you can apply under.
Last updated: 2026-03-15