Researchers and Professors: New Express Entry Category 2026

Canada's universities and research institutions are among the most productive in the world, consistently ranking in the top tier for scientific output, innovation, and graduate education. Maintaining this position requires a steady influx of talented researchers and academics from around the globe. In 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched a new Express Entry category-based selection round targeting university professors and post-secondary research assistants who have gained work experience in Canada. This guide explains the new category in full detail and outlines the steps you need to take to qualify.

For a broader look at all 2026 Express Entry updates, visit our Complete Guide to Express Entry 2026.

Why a Dedicated Category for Researchers and Professors?

Canadian universities rely heavily on international talent. According to Statistics Canada, a significant share of full-time university faculty members are foreign-born, and the proportion is even higher among post-doctoral researchers. These academics contribute not only to teaching but also to research that drives economic growth, medical breakthroughs, and technological innovation. Losing them to competing countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia weakens Canada's knowledge economy.

Before 2026, researchers and professors had no dedicated immigration pathway through Express Entry. They competed in general draws alongside all other skilled workers, and many struggled to accumulate enough CRS points, particularly if they were early in their careers or lacked factors like a provincial nomination or a high-paying job offer. The new category addresses this by allowing IRCC to hold targeted draws specifically for academic professionals, with category-specific CRS cutoffs that are typically lower than general round thresholds.

The IRCC category-based selection page provides the official framework for how these targeted draws operate within the Express Entry system.

Who Is Eligible?

The researchers and professors category targets two primary groups of academic professionals.

University Professors

This includes individuals employed as professors at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The category covers assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors across all academic disciplines, from humanities and social sciences to engineering, medicine, and natural sciences. Adjunct professors and sessional lecturers may also qualify, provided their work hours meet the minimum threshold and their employment falls under the appropriate NOC classification.

Post-Secondary Research Assistants

Research assistants employed at Canadian universities, colleges, and affiliated research centres are also included. This covers individuals who support research programs, conduct experiments, manage laboratories, analyze data, and co-author publications. Post-doctoral fellows conducting research at Canadian institutions typically fall within this category as well, depending on how their position is classified under the National Occupational Classification system.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the researchers and professors category-based selection round, you must meet the following criteria.

• Qualifying occupation: Your current or recent employment must be classified under a NOC code for university professors or post-secondary research assistants. Ensure your job title, duties, and responsibilities align with the official NOC descriptions.
• Canadian work experience: You need at least one year (1,560 hours) of qualifying work experience in Canada in one of the eligible occupations. This experience must have been gained within the three years before the date of your Express Entry application. The hours can be accumulated through full-time employment, or through an equivalent combination of part-time work.
• Express Entry eligibility: You must be eligible for at least one of the three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Most researchers and professors will qualify through either the FSWP (if they have a strong educational background and foreign experience) or the CEC (if they have sufficient Canadian work experience).
• Language proficiency: You must meet the minimum language requirements for your chosen program. For the CEC, this means at least CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations. Many researchers also benefit from French proficiency, which provides additional CRS points and may qualify them for the separate French-language category.
• Educational Credential Assessment: If your highest degree was obtained outside Canada, you need an ECA from a designated organization such as WES, IQAS, or the University of Toronto Comparative Education Service.

How the Selection Process Works

Once you have created an Express Entry profile and entered the pool, your profile is assessed for both general draws and any category-based draws for which you qualify. When IRCC decides to conduct a researchers and professors draw, the system filters candidates who have declared eligible work experience in the relevant NOC codes. A category-specific CRS cutoff is then applied, and candidates at or above that cutoff receive an Invitation to Apply.

After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. This application must include proof of your work experience (reference letters, contracts, pay statements), language test results, educational credentials, police certificates, and immigration medical examination results. Processing times vary but typically range from six to twelve months for Express Entry applications.

Stay updated on draw results and CRS score trends at CIC News, which publishes analysis after every Express Entry round.

Preparing Your Application

Academic professionals should take several proactive steps to maximize their chances under the new category.

• Confirm your NOC code: Review the National Occupational Classification descriptions carefully. Your employer's HR department or immigration office can often help confirm which NOC code applies to your position. Misclassifying your occupation can result in your profile being excluded from category-based draws.
• Document your work hours: Keep records of your contracts, appointment letters, and pay stubs that clearly show the dates and hours of your employment. If you work part-time across multiple appointments (for example, teaching at one institution while conducting research at another), ensure you can demonstrate at least 1,560 total hours of qualifying work within the relevant three-year period.
• Obtain strong reference letters: Request detailed reference letters from your department head, principal investigator, or supervisor. These letters should describe your job title, duties, hours worked per week, and the duration of your employment. IRCC uses reference letters as primary evidence of work experience.
• Boost your CRS score: Consider improving your language test scores, obtaining additional education, or exploring provincial nomination options. Even with the category-based draw offering lower cutoffs, a higher CRS score improves your chances.

If you have international credentials that need assessment, our credential recognition tool can help you determine which organizations are designated to evaluate your qualifications.

Provincial Nominee Programs for Academics

Several Canadian provinces operate immigration streams that specifically target researchers and academics. British Columbia's Tech Pilot, Ontario's Human Capital Priorities stream, and Alberta's Accelerated Tech Pathway have all been used to nominate researchers and professors. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, making it one of the most effective strategies for securing an ITA. Contact the immigration office at your university, as many institutions have dedicated staff who help international faculty and researchers navigate provincial nomination processes.

For province-by-province details, visit the Immigration.ca PNP resource centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do post-doctoral fellows qualify for this category?

Post-doctoral fellows may qualify if their position is classified under an eligible NOC code for university professors or post-secondary research assistants. The key factor is how the position is formally classified, not the informal title. Check with your institution's HR department to confirm your NOC classification.

Can I combine work experience from multiple institutions?

Yes. You can combine work experience from different Canadian employers, as long as all positions fall under eligible NOC codes and the total hours add up to at least 1,560 within the past three years. Ensure you have reference letters from each employer.

What if I am on a research grant rather than a salaried position?

Grant-funded positions still count as qualifying work experience, provided you are formally employed by a Canadian institution and your work falls under an eligible NOC code. Independent contractors or self-employed researchers may face additional challenges in demonstrating qualifying employment.

Is teaching experience counted separately from research?

For university professors, both teaching and research duties are part of the same NOC classification. You do not need to separate these activities. The requirement is that your overall position falls under the professor NOC code and that you have worked the minimum number of hours.

Get Started with WelcomeAide

The new Express Entry category for researchers and professors is a significant step forward for Canada's academic community. If you are a researcher or professor working in Canada and considering permanent residence, WelcomeAide can help you navigate every step. Ask Aida, our AI assistant, for personalized guidance, use our resume builder to create a Canadian-format CV for academic or industry opportunities, and track your progress with our newcomer checklist. Your research has already made an impact in Canada, and now it is time to make Canada your permanent home.