STEM jobs for Express Entry in 2026
Latest STEM round
491
Lowest CRS score invited
- Date
- April 11, 2024
- Invitations
- 4,500
- Round
- #293
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.
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, in Canada or abroad. The months do not have to be in a row, and they count even if this is not your main job.
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 11 jobs on the 2026 list
| Occupation | NOC 2021 | TEER |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture and science managers | 20011 | 0 |
| Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 | 1 |
| Civil Engineers | 21300 | 1 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 21301 | 1 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 | 1 |
| Industrial and manufacturing engineers | 21321 | 1 |
| Geological Engineers | 21331 | 1 |
| Civil engineering technologists and technicians | 22300 | 2 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 22301 | 2 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 | 2 |
| Insurance agents and brokers | 63100 | 3 |
Codes, titles and TEER levels as IRCC publishes them (NOC 2021).
What this means for you
The list covers civil, mechanical, electrical and electronics, industrial and manufacturing and geological engineers, the matching technologists and technicians, architecture and science managers, cybersecurity specialists, and insurance agents and brokers. It replaced the longer STEM list used in earlier years, and software engineers, software developers, programmers and data scientists are not on it.
If your work is in software or data, your way in is the regular rounds for your program, French if you have it, or a provincial nomination. Engineering is regulated in Canada: to work as a professional engineer you need a licence from the provincial association, which is separate from your visa.
Every STEM round
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.
Last updated October 20, 2026