My main job is not on the list. Can I still qualify?

Yes, if you have 12 months in a listed job within the last 3 years. IRCC counts that experience whatever your primary occupation is.

Can I be in more than one group?

Yes. If your experience fits two groups, or you also have strong French, you can be invited in any round you qualify for. Being in a group never stops you from being invited in a round open to your program.

What CRS score do I need?

There is no fixed pass mark. Each round invites the highest-scoring people who qualify for it, so the cut-off is only known afterwards. The rounds on this page show where recent cut-offs have fallen.

Express Entry category for researchers with Canadian experience

Last updated October 20, 2026

University professors and lecturers, and post-secondary teaching and research assistants, who have worked at least 12 months in Canada in the last 3 years are in a 2026 Express Entry category of their own. IRCC has not held a researchers round yet.

Latest researchers round

IRCC has not held a researchers round yet.

No rounds in 2026 so far.

For comparison, the latest Canadian Experience Class round, open to anyone with a year of skilled work in Canada, cut off at 519.

Work out your CRS score

Who qualifies

At least 12 months of full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in one of the jobs below within the last 3 years, done in Canada. Work abroad does not count for this group. The months do not have to be in a row.

IRCC checks that the work matched the job's description in the National Occupational Classification: its lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties, including all the essential ones. A job title alone is not enough.

You also need a profile in the Express Entry pool, which means qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class program. The group decides which round you can be invited in; your CRS score decides whether you are.

The 2 jobs on the 2026 list

Express Entry category for researchers with Canadian experience
Occupation	NOC 2021	TEER
University professors and lecturers	41200	1
Post-secondary teaching and research assistants	41201	1

Codes, titles and TEER levels as IRCC publishes them (NOC 2021).

What this means for you

It is for people already teaching and doing research at Canadian universities and colleges. Experience abroad does not count for it.

IRCC holds a round only when it needs to, and may not hold one for a category if enough of its people are invited in other rounds. Until a researchers round happens, the regular rounds for your program are your way in.

Every researchers round

No round has been held for this group yet. When IRCC holds one it appears here within a day.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a job offer to be invited in a category round?: No. A category asks for recent work experience in a listed job, not a job offer. You do need a profile in the Express Entry pool, which means qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class program.
My main job is not on the list. Can I still qualify?: Yes, if you have 12 months in a listed job within the last 3 years. IRCC counts that experience whatever your primary occupation is.
Can I be in more than one group?: Yes. If your experience fits two groups, or you also have strong French, you can be invited in any round you qualify for. Being in a group never stops you from being invited in a round open to your program.
What CRS score do I need?: There is no fixed pass mark. Each round invites the highest-scoring people who qualify for it, so the cut-off is only known afterwards. The rounds on this page show where recent cut-offs have fallen.