STEM Express Entry Draws 2026: Opportunity for Skilled Tech Workers

What is a STEM Draw?

A STEM draw is a targeted round of invitations within Canada’s category-based selection in the Express Entry system, designed to attract skilled professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Introduced by IRCC under its category-based selection system, these draws allow Canada to invite candidates with recent work experience in eligible STEM occupations. This initiative helps Canada address labour shortages in high-demand technical sectors and supports long-term innovation and economic growth.

In these draws, candidates with recent work experience in eligible STEM occupations—such as software developers, engineers, and data scientists—are prioritized. While Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores still matter, the focus shifts toward relevant work experience, making it easier for qualified STEM professionals to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Is the STEM Category Removed in 2026?

Although STEM occupations remain on the list of targeted categories with the same occupations as 2025, a recent IRCC announcement, along with the immigration levels plan, implies that STEM draws won’t be a priority this year. That is not to say that we will not see a STEM draw in 2026.

Express Entry Categories for 2026

These are the selected categories for this year. Click on each category to get more information:

• French-language proficiency: For applicants with a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
• Healthcare and social services occupations: Physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists and other practitioners, also veterinarians and social workers.
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations: For carpenters, plumbers, contractors, and others
• Education occupations: Teachers, early childhood educators, special needs instructors, and others
• Transport occupations
• Physicians with Canadian work experience
• Senior managers with Canadian work experience
• Researchers with Canadian work experience
• Skilled military recruits

STEM Draws to Date: A Look at the Numbers

The table below provides a comprehensive overview of all STEM draws to date, including the dates, invitation numbers, and CRS cut-off scores for each draw.

Occupations Eligible For Express Entry STEM Draws

To be invited to a STEM-specific draw, you need to have at least one year of eligible work experience within the past three years.

Here is the list of current occupations and their specific NOC codes that are eligible for STEM category-based draws under the Canadian Express Entry system:

How To Apply For STEM Express Entry 

Step 1: You must be eligible for Express Entry

The first step to getting invited to apply in a STEM-specific draw is to get in the Express Entry pool.

There are three possible programs you can be eligible for joining the Express Entry pool of candidates:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW);
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC); or
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST).

Generally, STEM workers may be eligible for the FSW or the CEC. The FST is specifically for trades workers. Each program has its own set of eligibility requirements that span work experience, education, and language ability.

Important note on work experience

For both the CEC and the FSW, you need at least one year of eligible work experience for at least 30 hours per week in an occupation that Canada considers to be “skilled.” These occupations are classified under 0, 1, 2, and 3 of Canada’s Training Education Experience Responsibilities (TEER) categories. You can also make up this work experience in part-time work as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours over two years, which is the equivalent of one year of full-time work.

The key distinction between the work experience requirements of the CEC and the FSW is that CEC requires at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. Whereas the FSW does not. In fact, under the FSW, you can get PR without ever setting foot in Canada.

The reason we’re emphasizing that you need to first be eligible for Express Entry to receive an invitation under a STEM-specific draw is to make it clear that just because you have six months of work experience in a STEM occupation doesn’t make you eligible for Express Entry. You need to meet the work experience requirements for at least one of the programs first. If you have one year of work experience in an eligible STEM occupation, and you meet the other requirements of the CEC or the FSW, then you may be invited in a STEM-specific draw.

Step 2: Enter Your Profile in the Express Entry Pool

If you’re eligible, you should submit your candidate profile to the Express Entry pool. 

You can learn here, more about the state of the Express Entry Candidate Pool. 

Step 3: Check Your Comprehensive Ranking System score

You will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score. 

Step 4: You will be identified as eligible for a category

Once in the pool, your profile will be identified as eligible for a STEM category-based draw if you meet the qualifying criteria. 

Step 5: Your profile will be ranked

Your CRS will be ranked alongside other candidates in the profile, both generally and STEM candidates. 

Step 6: IRCC completes an Express Entry draw and sends invitations to apply

Your place in the Express Entry pool is based on your ranking factors, which are reflected in your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. 

Express Entry draws each come with a CRS cut-off. If your CRS is above that score, you will receive an invitation to apply. If your CRS is exactly that score, you may receive an invitation, depending on when you submitted your profile. If it’s below that cut-off, you will not receive an invitation to apply.

This is how it works for both General and STEM Express Entry draws. You will be eligible for both general and STEM category-based Express Entry draws.

After that, it’s a waiting game; you will (hopefully) receive an invitation in an upcoming round. If so, you will need to apply for permanent residence and receive a decision from IRCC. If not, you may need to work on improving your CRS to be eligible for future rounds.

Find Out If You Qualify for STEM Express Entry

Ready to explore your options for immigrating to Canada as a skilled worker in a STEM field? Follow these three simple steps to check your eligibility and boost your chances of success:

Step 1: Estimate Your CRS Score and Eligibility

If you have a postgraduate degree and strong English or French skills, you might not need to wait for a STEM-specific draw. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score could already be high enough to receive an invitation in an all-program draw.

Use our Express Entry CRS Calculator to: Estimate your CRS score and discover which Express Entry-managed programs you may qualify for

Step 2: Join the Moving2Canada Community

Maximize your chances of success by joining the Moving2Canada community—it’s free! As a member, you’ll get:

• A personalized immigration checklist
• Access to exclusive content and offers
• Our newsletter with updates on Express Entry draws and immigration news

You can unsubscribe at any time—no strings attached.

Express Entry STEM Draws FAQ

I have 6+ months of work experience in an eligible occupation, am I eligible for STEM Draw?

Not anymore. Starting February 18, 2026, the minimum work experience to qualify for the STEM Category in Express Entry Draws, increased from 6 months to 1 year.

This means there are two separate work experience requirements to meet:

• You must meet the work experience criteria for one of the three Express Entry programs (FSW, CEC, or FST). Each of these programs has different work experience requirements, usually between one and two years, andthis experience does not need to be in the field of STEM. You can check your eligibility using our CRS calculator.
• but you you must also have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in an eligible STEM occupation within the last three years.

Important: the work experience used to qualify for the Express Entry program does not need to be in the same job as your experience in the STEM occupation category.

Does it matter whether I completed my work experience in Canada or elsewhere?

It does not matter whether your work experience was done in Canada or another country. As long as your duties match that of an eligible NOC code and your work experience meets all the eligibility criteria, i.e. number of hours, continuous, paid, etc.

Does my primary occupation need to be in a STEM occupation to be selected in a STEM draw?

No, you do not need your primary occupation to be in a STEM occupation to be selected. You simply need 6 months of work experience in the last 3 years in a STEM occupation.

When will I receive an ITA for a STEM-specific draw?

This is up to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You need to wait for the next Express Entry Draw for the STEM Category.

Canada holds Express Entry draws regularly, which could be all-program draws, program-specific draws, or category-based draws like Education-specific draws. 

STEM candidates with a low CRS score may be eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Receiving a nomination from a PNP is a sure way to receive an ITA, as it adds 600 points onto your overall score. Check out the latest PNP draws on our Canada PNP Live Tracker.

Stay up to date with the latest Express Entry draw news on our dedicated page or by signing up for our newsletter.

Will STEM-specific Express Entry draws stop?

This is entirely up to IRCC. But for now, STEM occupations remain on the list of targeted categories and a comprehensive list of occupations eligible to apply this year.

If I have a STEM Occupation, does my CRS score still matter?

Yes, your CRS score still matters even if you have a STEM occupation; however, in STEM draws, the CRS score required to receive an ITA is lower than the score for other programs draw.

How often will IRCC hold STEM draws?

There is no set schedule for when IRCC will hold STEM-specific draws. Since STEM-specific draws were introduced in July 2023, there have only been three STEM draws, and the last one was held on April 11, 2024

Do I need to provide extra documents if I am selected in a STEM- Specific draw?

No, you do not need extra documents; however, you need to make sure that the work experience documents you provide clearly show 6 months of STEM experience in the last 3 years.

My spouse qualifies for a STEM-specific draw, can my profile receive the ITA?

No, to receive an ITA in a STEM-specific draw, the principal applicant must have the experience. If your spouse qualifies, they should have their own Express Entry profile where they are listed as the principal applicant.