How to Navigate Express Entry New Category-Based Selection

For the past decade, Express Entry was simple: “High score wins.” If you had good English, a degree, and youth, you had a strong chance of being invited to apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence.

In 2026, the rules have changed.

The Canadian government has shifted to a new Category-Based Selection model. This means a high “Comprehensive Ranking System” (CRS) score is no longer the only factor. The government now prioritizes who they need (healthcare workers, tradespeople, French speakers) over simply who has the highest points.

For applicants in Mississauga and across the GTA, this shift creates both new risks and massive new opportunities. As a Mississauga immigration lawyer, I have written this definitive guide to help you navigate the new landscape.

The Major Shift: General vs. Category-Based Draws

Express Entry now operates on two tracks. Understanding the difference is the most important step for any new applicant.

The General Draw (The “High Score” Trap)

In a General draw, you compete against everyone in the pool. Because the pool is competitive, the CRS cutoff scores are extremely high—often 530+.

The Reality: A standard professional (e.g., a Marketing Manager with a Bachelor’s degree) will typically score around 440-470. Without a specific category, this candidate has almost zero chance of being invited in a General draw.

Category-Based Selection (The “Discount”)

To address labour shortages, the government invites candidates from specific sectors, even if they have lower scores.

The Advantage: Candidates in these categories essentially get a “CRS discount.” You only compete against others in your field.

The 2026 Categories: Are You Eligible?

Here is the complete list of eligible occupations for the 2026 category-based draws. If your work experience falls under one of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, your chances of selection are significantly higher.

French-Language Proficiency (The Biggest Advantage)

This is the only category based on skill, not job title.

• Requirement: NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) on the TEF or TCF Canada test.

• Why it wins: This category consistently has the lowest CRS cutoffs (often in the low 400s).

Healthcare Occupations

Requirements: At least 6 months of continuous work experience in one of these roles within the last 3 years.

Eligible Jobs (Partial List):

• Registered Nurses & Psychiatric Nurses (NOC 31301)

• Licensed Practical Nurses (NOC 32101)

• General Practitioners / Family Physicians (NOC 31102)

• Dentists (NOC 31110)

• Pharmacists (NOC 31120)

• Physiotherapists (NOC 31202)

• Psychologists (NOC 31200)

• Nurse Aides, Orderlies (NOC 33102)

• Medical Laboratory Technologists (NOC 32120)

View the full list of eligible Healthcare occupations on the IRCC website

STEM Occupations (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)

Eligible Jobs:

• Software Developers & Programmers (NOC 21232)

• Data Scientists (NOC 21211)

• Civil Engineers (NOC 21300)

• Cybersecurity Specialists (NOC 21220)

• Web Developers & Programmers (NOC 21234)

• Architects (NOC 21200)

• Information Systems Specialists (NOC 21222)

• Engineering Managers (NOC 20010)

Trade Occupation

Eligible Jobs:

• Carpenters (NOC 72310)

• Plumbers (NOC 72300)

• Electricians (NOC 72200)

• Welders (NOC 72106)

• Contractors & Supervisors (NOC 82021)

• Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (NOC 72401)

• Machine Fitters (NOC 72405)

Agriculture and Agri-Food

Eligible Jobs:

• Contractors/Supervisors in Landscaping (NOC 82031)

• Farm Supervisors (NOC 82030)

• Butchers (Retail/Wholesale) (NOC 63201)

Education Occupations

Eligible Jobs:

• Elementary & Kindergarten Teachers (NOC 41221)

• Secondary School Teachers (NOC 41220)

• Early Childhood Educators (ECE) (NOC 42202)

• School Counsellors (NOC 41320)

• Instructors of Persons with Disabilities (NOC 42203)

The “In-Canada” Advantage: Why CEC is King

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan explicitly prioritizes transitioning temporary residents (workers and students already in Canada) to Permanent Residence.

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): IRCC is conducting frequent, CEC-specific draws to meet its “In-Canada first” mandate.

• The Strategy: If you are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program but are currently outside Canada, your best strategy may be to first secure a work permit (like an [Intra-Company Transfer]) to gain the 1 year of Canadian experience needed to qualify for the CEC.

Critical 2026 Update: “Job Offer” Points Removed

In a major policy change to fight fraud, IRCC has removed the 50 or 200 CRS points previously awarded for “Arranged Employment” (a valid job offer).

• What this means: You can no longer “buy” your way to a higher score with a fake or “purchased” job offer.

• The Reality: A job offer is still valuable for eligibility (to get into the pool) or for a Work Permit, but it will not directly boost your CRS ranking score unless it is supported by a Provincial Nomination.

• Exception: A job offer supported by a Provincial Nomination (PNP) still grants you 600 points, effectively guaranteeing an invitation.

2026 Financial Requirements

To be eligible, you must prove you have enough money to settle in Canada (unless you are currently working in Canada or have a valid job offer). These funds must be liquid and available.

Proof of Funds (2026 Estimates):

• 1 Applicant: ~$15,263 CAD

• Family of 2: ~$19,001 CAD

• Family of 4: ~$28,362 CAD

(Note: These figures are updated annually. Always check the official IRCC Proof of Funds page before applying).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q 1: Can I apply for Express Entry without IELTS or CELPIP?

No. Language results are mandatory for every Express Entry program. You must take an approved test (IELTS General, CELPIP, PTE Core, or TEF/TCF for French).

Q 2: What if I am over the age of 40?

After age 30, you lose 5 CRS points for every birthday. By 40, your age score is significantly lower. To compete, you need a new strategy:

1. Learn French: This offsets the age penalty immediately.

2. Get a Provincial Nomination (PNP): This adds 600 points, making age irrelevant.

3. Business Immigration: If you have capital, consider investor or entrepreneur streams.

Q 3: What if my job doesn’t match any 2026 Category?

If you are in HR, Marketing, Finance, or Administration, you are likely in the “General” pool. The cutoff scores here are very high (530+). Your best path is likely the OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program), which has specific streams for “General” occupations like Human Capital Priorities.

How Cambria Law Can Help You Succeed

In a system this complex, a single mistake—like choosing the wrong NOC code or miscalculating your points—can lead to a refusal or a ban for misrepresentation.

Our immigration team helps you build a winning Express Entry strategy:

• Profile Optimization: We review your education, work experience, and language scores to ensure you are claiming the maximum points possible.

• Category Verification: We analyze your job duties to confirm your NOC code aligns perfectly with the new 2026 Categories (Healthcare, STEM, Trades) to avoid rejection later.

• Provincial Nomination Strategy: If your CRS score is too low, we help you explore “Enhanced” PNP streams in Ontario (OINP) that can give you the critical 600-point boost.

Conclusion: Don’t Just “Enter the Pool”

In 2026, simply entering the Express Entry pool and hoping for the best is a failed strategy. You need to align your profile with the government’s priorities.

Let us review your profile. Do you qualify for a Category-Based draw? Are you calculating your CRS score correctly? Our legal team can assess your profile and build a strategy to maximize your chances of selection.

Sources

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2025, November 6). Canada’s immigration levels. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels.html
2. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2024, May 31). Express Entry rounds of invitations: Category-based selection. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/submit-profile/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html
3. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. (2025, July 15). Proof of funds – Skilled immigrants (Express Entry). Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html