CRS Cutoff Expected To Drop In 2026 With New Express Entry Changes

Last Updated On 19 February 2026, 10:35 AM EST (Toronto Time)

CRS cutoff scores for express entry category-based draws are expected to drop in 2026 if IRCC maintains similar invitation numbers after doubling the category-specific work experience requirement from 6 months to 12 months.

The change, announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab on February 18, 2026, is good news for candidates who already have 12 months or more of work experience in a category-eligible occupation.

With fewer candidates meeting the new threshold, those who qualify face less competition and may receive invitations at lower CRS scores than previously possible.

However, candidates with only 6 to 11 months of occupation-specific experience will need to wait until they reach the 12-month mark before they can participate in category-based draws for their occupation.

Key Distinction: Profile Eligibility vs Category Eligibility

Many candidates confuse the work experience requirements for creating an express entry profile with the requirements for category-based draws.

Express Entry Profile Requirement (unchanged):

12 months of skilled work experience in any TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
Needed to enter the express entry pool

Category-Based Draw Requirement (changed):

Previously: 6 months in a specific category-eligible occupation
Now: 12 months in a specific category-eligible occupation
Needed to participate in occupation-specific invitation rounds

A candidate can be in the express entry pool but still be ineligible for category-based draws if they do not have 12 months of experience in a specific category-eligible occupation.

Why CRS Scores Are Expected To Drop

The logic is based on simple mathematics: if IRCC maintains similar invitation numbers while the eligible candidate pool shrinks, cutoff scores must decrease to fill those spots.

In 2024 and 2025, IRCC typically issued between 1,000 and 5,000 invitations per category-based draw.

If IRCC continues issuing similar numbers in 2026 but fewer candidates meet the new 12-month threshold, the CRS cutoff will need to drop to reach enough candidates.

For example, if a STEM category draw previously had 50,000 eligible candidates competing for 3,000 invitations, and the new requirement reduces that pool to 35,000 eligible candidates, IRCC will need to reach deeper into the CRS ranking to issue the same 3,000 invitations.

Important caveat: If IRCC reduces invitation numbers proportionally to match the smaller eligible pool, CRS scores may remain stable.

Candidates should monitor actual draw results throughout 2026 to track trends.

Good News For Candidates With 12+ Months Of Experience

For candidates who already have 12 months or more of work experience in a category-eligible occupation, this policy change presents a significant opportunity.

Reduced competition: With candidates who have 6-11 months of experience temporarily unable to participate in category-based draws, the eligible pool is smaller. This means less competition for the same number of invitations.

Lower CRS requirements: If invitation numbers remain similar to 2024-2025 levels, candidates with moderate CRS scores who previously missed category cutoffs may now receive invitations.

Candidates with 12+ months of occupation-specific experience should ensure their express entry profiles are updated and accurate to take advantage of this window.

What Candidates With 6-11 Months Of Experience Should Do

Candidates with between 6 and 11 months of occupation-specific experience need to wait until they reach the 12-month threshold before participating in category-based draws.

Continue building experience: Keep working in your category-eligible occupation without interruption. Calculate when you will reach 12 months and ensure your profile is ready.

Avoid switching occupations: If you are close to 12 months in one of the targeted occupations, switching to a different role will reset your category-specific experience clock.

Improve your CRS score: Use this waiting period to retake language tests, pursue additional credentials, or secure a job offer with LMIA.

You remain eligible for CEC draws based on your overall CRS score and CEC eligibility while waiting for category eligibility.

Explore PNPs: Provincial nominee programs may have different eligibility requirements that could provide faster pathways.

Calculating your eligibility date:

6 months of experience now → eligible in August 2026
9 months of experience now → eligible in May 2026

Which Categories May See The Biggest Changes

If invitation numbers remain similar, the impact will vary by category.

Categories likely to see lower CRS cutoffs:

Healthcare and STEM occupations may see meaningful decreases. These sectors employ many recent graduates and new workers who would have qualified under the 6-month rule but must now wait longer.

Categories with potentially stable scores:

The new physicians and senior managers categories target professionals who typically have extensive work histories well beyond 12 months, so the new requirement may have less impact on these pools.

Renewed Categories Affected By The Change

The 12-month requirement applies to all renewed occupational categories:

Healthcare and social services occupations
Education occupations
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations
Trade occupations

The new 2026 categories (physicians, researchers, senior managers) also require 12 months of Canadian work experience.

The transport occupations category requires 12 months of experience gained in Canada or abroad.

The increase in category-specific work experience from 6 months to 12 months creates a two-sided impact on express entry in 2026.

For candidates with 12+ months of occupation-specific experience, this is welcome news—reduced competition and potentially lower cutoffs if IRCC maintains similar invitation numbers.

For candidates with 6-11 months of experience, this means a waiting period before participating in category-based draws.

However, once they reach the 12-month threshold, they too will benefit from the smaller, less competitive candidate pool.

Candidates should monitor IRCC draw results throughout 2026 to track actual CRS trends and time their applications strategically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the CRS cutoff score expected to drop in 2026?

If IRCC maintains similar invitation numbers per category-based draw as seen in 2024 and 2025, CRS cutoffs are expected to drop because the new 12-month requirement reduces the eligible candidate pool. With fewer candidates qualifying but similar invitation targets, lower-scoring candidates may receive invitations.

Is this change good or bad for express entry candidates?

Candidates with 12+ months of occupation-specific experience benefit from reduced competition. Candidates with 6-11 months must wait longer to participate in category-based draws but will eventually benefit from the same reduced competition once they qualify.

How much did the category-based work experience requirement increase?

The requirement doubled from 6 months to 12 months of full-time work (or equivalent part-time) within the past 3 years in an eligible occupation. The requirement to create an express entry profile (12 months in any TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation) remains unchanged.

Can I still receive an express entry invitation with less than 12 months of category-specific experience?

Yes, if you qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, you will still be eligible to be invited based on overall CRS scores, not category-specific eligibility. You may still receive invitations through these programs if your CRS score is high enough.

Which express entry categories are affected by the 12-month requirement?

All renewed occupational categories (healthcare, education, STEM, trades) and the new 2026 categories (physicians, researchers, senior managers, transport occupations) require 12 months of experience in the eligible occupations.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.