Category-based selection
Selection layerA selection layer inside the Express Entry pool. Not a fourth program people apply to. You still need FSW, CEC, or FST to sit in the pool.
- IRCC listed 10 current categories on the 22 Jun 2026 page.
- Occupation categories: at least 12 months full-time (or equivalent part-time) in the last 3 years, in a single listed NOC. That work does not need to be continuous.
- Physicians, senior managers, and researchers: same 12-month rule, and the work must be in Canada.
- French-language proficiency: NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities.
- Skilled military recruits is a separate FSMA pathway. It is not the 12-month occupation tag.
Source: IRCC: Category-based selection · official page Jun 22, 2026 · checked Aug 22, 2026
Current categories (22 Jun 2026)
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits
That list is not a promise IRCC will run a round in every category. Occupation lists and the 12-month rule live on the official page. This site will not paste those NOC tables here so a stale copy does not outlive IRCC.
Score a profile in the CRS calculator. Compare official cut-offs on draws. Live eligibility is the current official 12-month rule. Do not treat older year-end reports as the current category test.