STEM Occupation Express Entry Draws
STEM occupation rounds invite Express Entry candidates with skilled work experience in eligible Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics NOC codes. IRCC runs these category-based draws selectively based on labour-market needs.
Since 2023, IRCC has run 3 STEM rounds, issuing 10,900 invitations to apply. CRS cutoffs have ranged from 481 to 491, averaging around 486.
Last updated April 11, 2024 — reflects draws through round #293. Source: IRCC Express Entry rounds.
STEM CRS cutoff trend, 2024–2026
Every STEM round plotted by date and CRS cutoff. Hover or tap any point for round details.
Each line traces one round type's CRS cutoffs over time. Hover or tap any point to see round details. 1 rounds plotted.
Who qualifies for STEM Express Entry draws
STEM candidates need at least six months of continuous full-time skilled experience in an eligible NOC within the last three years. The 2025 list covers software engineers and designers, software developers and programmers, computer systems analysts, database analysts, data scientists, electrical and electronics engineers, mechanical engineers, cybersecurity specialists, mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries.
Why STEM CRS cutoffs look the way they do
STEM category rounds were introduced in 2023 but have run less frequently than healthcare or French draws. IRCC trimmed the eligible STEM NOC list in 2025 to focus on occupations with clearer labour shortages. Cutoffs generally sit in the 480 to 530 range, higher than French and healthcare but below general rounds.
Want to know where your profile would land? Use the CRS calculator to estimate your score against these rounds.
High-Wage Occupations: STEM is the cleanest match for the new CRS factor
If IRCC adopts the high-wage occupation factor in the shape laid out at its April 2026 information session, STEM candidates are positioned more cleanly than almost any other category. The design measures the candidate's NOC against the overall Canadian national median wage. Most STEM NOCs eligible for category draws — software engineers (NOC 21231), software developers (21232), data scientists, electrical and electronics engineers, mechanical engineers, cybersecurity analysts, mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries — sit comfortably above the national median, often by 1.3 to 1.5 times. The C.D. Howe Selection Matters research that motivated the design is built on twenty years of earnings data showing that university-educated economic immigrants in technology and engineering occupations close the wage gap with Canadian-born workers fastest. The strategic takeaway: confirm your NOC mapping is airtight, because the high-wage points are likely to attach to the NOC code, not the candidate's job title or self-described role. A defensible NOC selection — duties match the lead statement, employer can confirm responsibilities, salary aligns with industry — is the cheapest insurance against scoring volatility under the reformed CRS.
STEM Express Entry CRS cutoffs — all 3 rounds
Newest first. The CRS column shows the lowest-ranked candidate invited in each round. Looking for a different round type? Jump to Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, French Language, or all categories.
| # | Date | Round type | Invitations | CRS cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 293 | April 11, 2024 | STEM occupations (Version 1) | 4,500 | 491 |
| 274 | December 8, 2023 | STEM occupations (Version 1) | 5,900 | 481 |
| 254 | July 5, 2023 | STEM occupations (Version 1) | 500 | 486 |
Frequently asked questions about STEM Express Entry draws
Which STEM occupations qualify for Express Entry category draws?
Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231), software developers and programmers (NOC 21232), database analysts, data scientists, computer systems analysts, cybersecurity analysts, electrical and electronics engineers, mechanical engineers, mathematicians and statisticians, and actuaries. The list is narrower than most candidates expect.
Does general software development experience qualify?
Yes, provided the role maps to NOC 21231 or 21232 and meets the full-time skilled threshold. Web developers working on software products typically qualify; roles that are purely technical support or QA often do not.
Why are STEM draws held less often?
IRCC allocates category slots based on ongoing labour-market analysis. Since 2024, healthcare and French have received more category-draw slots than STEM.
Is remote work for a non-Canadian employer eligible?
Yes, if the work meets full-time skilled criteria in an eligible NOC and can be documented. International experience counts the same as Canadian experience for category eligibility.
What is a typical STEM CRS cutoff?
Recent STEM-specific rounds have landed in the 480 to 530 range. That is lower than general all-program draws but higher than French-language rounds.
Other Express Entry draw categories
Estimate your CRS score
The Comprehensive Ranking System assigns points for age, education, language, and work experience. Calculate yours, then check which of these STEM rounds you would have qualified for.
Open the CRS calculator