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By Rebecca Major
Updated 3 hours ago
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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. 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.
Although STEM occupations remain on the list of targeted categories, a recent IRCC announcement, along with the immigration levels plan, implies that STEM draws will not be a focus in 2025. That is not to say that we will not see a STEM draw in 2025. Along with announcing the categories, IRCC added some occupations to the STEM category while removing others, suggesting that STEM is still a consideration.
Since the introduction of STEM-targeted draws, many applicants have been eagerly awaiting opportunities to receive invitations through Express Entry. However, the number of draws and the total invitations issued have been lower than expected, leading to disappointment for many hopeful candidates.
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.
To be invited in a STEM-specific draw, you need to have at least six months of eligible work experience within the past three years.
The list of eligible occupations targeted in STEM draws was updated on February 27, 2025, with 6 occupations added and 19 occupations removed.
The current eligible STEM occupations can be found here:
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:
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.
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.
If you’re eligible, you should submit your candidate profile to the Express Entry pool.
You will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score.
Once in the pool, your profile will be identified as eligible for a STEM category-based draw if you meet the qualifying criteria.
Your CRS will be ranked alongside other candidates in the profile, both generally and STEM candidates.
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.
Whether it’s preparing your Express Entry profile, increasing your CRS score, applying for permanent residence, or securing a job, our Moving2Canada newsletter makes sure you never miss a step.
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:
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:
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Answers to some frequently asked questions about STEM-Specific draws.
Depends. You first must be eligible for an Express Entry-managed program: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW); Canadian Experience Class (CEC); or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST).
Assuming you won’t be eligible for FST (since it’s tailored to skilled trades workers), then you need either one year of eligible Canadian work experience (among other criteria) to qualify for the CEC. Or, you will need at least one year of eligible work experience in any country (again, among other criteria) to qualify for the FSW.
If you are eligible, and in all of your eligible work experience you have worked at least six months in an eligible STEM occupation, then you may be invited in a STEM-specific Express Entry draw.
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.
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.
This is up to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Historically, Canada holds Express Entry draws at least a couple times per month. These may be all-program draws, program-specific draws, or category-based draws.
In 2023, Canada is inviting more STEM candidates than those from any other category— a good sign for STEM candidates in the Express Entry pool.
That being said, your Express Entry profile is valid for up to 12 months in the pool. STEM candidates with competitive scores are likely to be invited within that time frame, whether it’s through a STEM-specific draw or another type of invitation round.
STEM candidates who are worried that they may have 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 on to 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.
This is entirely up to IRCC. In Canadian policy, it is up to the government to decide on Express Entry categories. These must be derived from public consultations, and reported on annually. However, given that Express Entry is Canada’s flagship immigration pathway, it is unlikely that Express Entry draws will stop as a whole. Depending on labour market conditions and other factors, however, there is a possibility that Canada could change the availability of STEM-specific draws.
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 CRFS needed for an all program draw. For instance, in the first STEM draw, the CRS cut off was 486. Around the same time, the CRS cut off for an all program draw was 511.
There is no set schedule for when IRCC will hold STEM-specific draws. Since STEM-specific draws were introduced in July 2023, there has only been one STEM draw however IRCC have previously commented that they will prioritise STEM draws.
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.
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.
Join other like-minded individuals navigating their journey to success within the Express Entry system — from Immigration tips to settlement and job search support, you're not alone.
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