Latest Draw #450|CRS: 435|French Language|5,000 ITAs|Oct 16, 2026

Express Entry Program

STEM Express Entry

Canada's tech sector is booming. Engineers, engineering technologists, cybersecurity specialists, and other listed STEM professionals can be invited in STEM category-based rounds, and software developers and data scientists still have CEC, FSW, and provincial tech routes.

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Processing

6 months or less

Recent Cutoff

491

Last Draw

4,500 ITAs

Max CRS

1,200 pts

Program Overview

About STEM Express Entry

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations are in high demand across Canada. STEM is one of the ten 2026 category-based selection categories, though IRCC has not run a STEM-specific draw since April 2024 and the February 2026 overhaul cut the eligible STEM occupation list to about eleven engineering and technical roles.

Canada's tech hubs in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa compete globally for talent. Express Entry STEM draws, combined with provincial tech programs like BC PNP Tech, create multiple pathways for tech professionals.

The 2026 STEM list covers civil, mechanical, electrical, industrial, and geological engineers, engineering technologists and technicians, cybersecurity specialists, architecture and science managers, and insurance agents and brokers. Software developers, data scientists, and IT managers are no longer on it. The three STEM-only rounds held so far (July 2023 to April 2024) closed at 481 to 491, below the all-program rounds held the same weeks.

Key Benefits

Eligible for STEM-only rounds

High demand in tech hubs

Provincial tech programs available

Strong job market post-landing

Competitive salaries

Fast processing (6 months)

Free CRS Assessment

Find out your CRS score and which Express Entry rounds you could be invited in.

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RCIC License: R515110

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

Meet these requirements to qualify for STEM Express Entry.

STEM Occupation

You need 12 months of work in the past 3 years in one listed STEM NOC, no matter your primary occupation. The 2026 list covers engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, industrial, geological), engineering technologists, cybersecurity specialists, architecture and science managers, and insurance agents and brokers.

Express Entry Program

Must be eligible under FSW or CEC programs. Meet all program requirements including work experience and language.

Work Experience

Sufficient work experience in your STEM occupation as required by your program.

Education

STEM occupations often require post-secondary education in relevant fields. ECA required for foreign credentials.

CRS Scoring

Comprehensive Ranking System

Your CRS score determines your ranking in the Express Entry pool.

Category Eligibility

STEM-only rounds

Only eligible STEM candidates are ranked. The three STEM-only rounds (July 2023 to April 2024) closed at 481 to 491; none has been held since.

Standard CRS

1200 points

Same CRS calculation. STEM occupation enables category-specific draws.

Education

150 points

STEM workers often have advanced degrees that boost CRS.

Provincial Nomination

600 points

Tech-focused PNP programs (Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, BC Skills Immigration) add significant points.

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Draw History

Recent Express Entry Draws

Track recent CRS cutoffs to understand your chances.

Apr 11, 2024STEM

491

CRS Cutoff

4,500 invitations

Dec 8, 2023STEM

481

CRS Cutoff

5,900 invitations

Jul 5, 2023STEM

486

CRS Cutoff

500 invitations

How to Apply

Application Process

Step-by-step guide to applying for STEM Express Entry.

Verify Occupation

Confirm your occupation is in an eligible STEM NOC category.

Gather Documents

Collect educational credentials, ECA, work reference letters with technical details.

Take Language Test

Complete IELTS, CELPIP, or French equivalent. STEM workers often have strong language skills.

Create Profile

Submit Express Entry profile with your STEM work history included. It does not need to be your primary occupation.

Consider Provincial Programs

Explore Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, BC Skills Immigration, or other provincial tech streams.

Receive ITA

IRCC has not held a STEM-only round since April 2024. If you are invited, submit your application within 60 days of the ITA.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about STEM Express Entry

Does STEM come under CEC?

STEM is a category-based selection lane within Express Entry, separate from CEC, FSW, and FST programs. A STEM candidate must first qualify under one of the three base programs (CEC, FSW, or FST) and then meet the STEM occupation list for category eligibility. CEC requires 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs. FSW uses a points grid with at least 67 points. After the February 2026 overhaul, STEM category eligibility requires 12 months of experience in one occupation on IRCC's shortened STEM list (about eleven engineering and technical NOCs). Confirm the live list on canada.ca. Go Far Global verifies both layers.

What is considered STEM in Canada?

After the February 2026 overhaul, IRCC shortened the STEM Express Entry category to about eleven engineering and technical occupations, down from the older 24-code list that still circulates online. Confirm the live National Occupational Classification (NOC) table on canada.ca before you treat any occupation as STEM-eligible. Category eligibility also requires 12 months of experience in one listed occupation. Go Far Global verifies each NOC against IRCC's current list.

Is the STEM category removed?

STEM is still on the 2026 category list, but IRCC has not run a STEM-specific draw since April 2024. The February 2026 overhaul kept STEM while cutting its NOC list to about eleven engineering and technical occupations (down from roughly thirty) and raising the minimum work experience to twelve months. Healthcare, French, trades, and the new senior-managers and physicians categories have taken priority, so the long STEM pause has continued through mid-2026. Candidates should keep a STEM profile ready but plan around general or Provincial Nominee routes given the pause. Go Far Global, a licensed Toronto RCIC firm, monitors IRCC's draw schedule and category changes weekly to advise clients on whether to wait or pivot.

How to apply for STEM Express Entry?

Step 1: confirm eligibility under CEC, FSW, or FST. Step 2: check that the candidate has 12 months of experience in one occupation on IRCC's current STEM list (about eleven engineering and technical NOCs after the February 2026 overhaul). Step 3: complete language testing (CLB 7+ for FSW, CLB 5-7 for CEC depending on TEER), education credential assessment if foreign-trained, and police certificates. Step 4: build the Express Entry profile with the qualifying occupation. Step 5: wait for an Invitation to Apply. IRCC has not run a STEM-specific draw since April 2024, so plan around CEC, French, or a provincial nomination as well. Go Far Global handles document preparation and profile submission for STEM applicants.

Which fields come under STEM?

STEM still means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but the Express Entry category is now a short IRCC list of engineering and technical occupations, not the older 24-code table. Confirm your exact NOC on canada.ca. Matching a job title in tech is not enough; IRCC reviews lead duties against the listed code, and category experience must be 12 months in one eligible occupation. Go Far Global confirms candidate fit by matching job duties to the current IRCC table.

What are the 4 STEM majors?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In Express Entry, the operational definition is IRCC's current STEM occupation table, which the February 2026 overhaul cut to about eleven engineering and technical NOCs. Older pages that still list 24 codes are out of date. Confirm the live list on canada.ca before you treat a software, science, or architecture job as category-eligible. Go Far Global cross-checks academic credentials and duties against the current table before profile submission.

Is STEM in demand in Canada?

STEM occupations remain in demand, but a STEM job is not the same as a STEM Express Entry invitation. IRCC has not run a STEM-specific round since April 2024, and Ontario closed its former Express Entry tech streams in the 2026 OINP redesign. Alberta still runs an Accelerated Tech Pathway under AAIP, and British Columbia still nominates tech roles through Skills Immigration. For federal Express Entry, STEM candidates with 12 months of Canadian skilled work experience can be invited in CEC rounds (CRS 507 to 523 in 2026); others should look at French or a provincial nomination. Go Far Global, a Toronto RCIC firm, lines up federal and provincial tech pathways for clients.

Is TR to PR coming again?

IRCC has not announced a new TR-to-PR public policy as of September 2026. The 2020-2021 program closed after admitting 90,000 essential workers and graduates. The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets PR admissions at 380,000 in 2026, suggesting tighter intake rather than a new mass-conversion program. Temporary residents inside Canada still have routes: CEC, PNP, Atlantic Immigration Program, Rural Community Immigration Pilot, Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, and category-based Express Entry draws. Go Far Global, a licensed Toronto immigration consultancy, watches IRCC bulletins daily and contacts clients within hours of any TR-to-PR policy announcement.

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Explore Other Express Entry Programs

FSW

Federal Skilled Worker Program

CEC

Canadian Experience Class

FST

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Category-Based

Category-Based Express Entry Draws

View All Express Entry Programs

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.