What this category means
This category supports the retention of research and academic talent already working in Canada.
Category eligibility comes after Express Entry eligibility
You must first qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program and have a valid Express Entry profile. A category does not replace those program rules.
Who may qualify
- Be eligible for at least one of the three federal programs managed by Express Entry.
- Have a valid profile in the Express Entry pool when IRCC holds the round.
- Meet every requirement in the ministerial instructions for that specific round.
- Within the 3 years before the round, have at least 12 months of full-time work experience—or an equal amount of part-time experience—in one listed occupation. The experience does not need to be continuous and may be gained in canada.
Eligible occupations
IRCC uses the 2021 NOC codes below. Match the lead statement and actual main duties—not only a similar job title.
| Official occupation title | 2021 NOC | TEER |
|---|---|---|
| University professors and lecturers | 41200 | 1 |
| Post-secondary teaching and research assistants | 41201 | 1 |
The Canadian research-experience requirement
The category is limited to two post-secondary NOCs and requires at least 12 months of qualifying work experience acquired in Canada within the previous three years.
Two eligible NOCs
University professors and lecturers (41200), and post-secondary teaching and research assistants (41201).
Research title is not enough
The duties, employment relationship, authorized Canadian work, dates and hours must match one listed NOC. Researchers in private industry, hospitals or separate scientific NOCs are not included merely because they conduct research.
The qualifying 12 months must be in one listed NOC and in Canada. The periods do not need to be continuous, but volunteer activity and work outside Canada do not satisfy this category-specific threshold.
Researcher-category round status
No dedicated researcher round published yet
IRCC’s official round list through August 7, 2026 does not show a Researchers with Canadian Work Experience invitation round. The category is current, but IRCC explains that a dedicated category round may not be needed if enough category-eligible candidates are invited through other round types.
Being eligible for a current category does not guarantee a category-specific draw. There is therefore no researcher invitation total, CRS cut-off or tie-breaking rule to report as of August 10, 2026.
Check IRCC’s official roundsHow category-based selection works
- 01
Qualify for Express Entry
Meet the minimum rules of CEC, FSWP or FSTP and create an accurate profile.
- 02
IRCC identifies eligible profiles
IRCC checks the profile information against the requirements of the announced category.
- 03
Candidates are ranked by CRS
Eligible category candidates are still ranked against one another using their CRS scores.
- 04
Highest-ranking candidates may be invited
The number invited, cut-off, tie-breaker and exact category rules are set for the individual round.
- 05
Submit the permanent-residence application
An invited candidate must prove both program and category eligibility with documents and remain admissible to Canada.
Documents to prepare
- Canadian employer letters with detailed duties, dates, hours and pay
- Work authorization and evidence you were physically working in Canada
- T4 slips, Notices of Assessment, pay records or contracts where relevant
- Evidence matching the claimed 2021 NOC
- All documents required by the underlying Express Entry program
Important limits
- Meeting a category requirement does not add separate CRS points and does not guarantee that IRCC will hold a round for that category.
- The category occupation list, work-experience period and round instructions can change. The live IRCC page and the instructions for the exact round control.
- An invitation does not remove the need to prove the underlying Express Entry program, the CRS score claimed, category eligibility and admissibility.
- A job title alone is not enough for an occupation category. The evidence must support the correct NOC lead statement and main duties.
Frequently asked questions
Does any research job qualify?
No. The current list contains only NOC 41200 and 41201. Research roles under other academic, medical, government or private-sector NOCs are not included by the word “researcher” alone.
Can foreign research experience count?
Not for this category’s 12-month requirement. The qualifying experience must be acquired in Canada. Foreign experience may still affect the underlying Express Entry program or CRS.
Can I combine professor and research-assistant experience?
No. The qualifying 12 months must be accumulated in a single listed occupation, though periods in that same NOC do not need to be continuous.
Can a graduate student’s work count?
Not automatically. The work must be authorized, meet the applicable immigration-program rules and match the NOC duties. Student status or a research stipend alone does not decide the issue.
Does part-time Canadian experience count?
An equal amount of qualifying part-time experience may count if hours, dates and duties are properly documented.
Does unpaid research count?
The category instructions refer to work, but the underlying Express Entry program has its own requirements. Volunteer or unpaid activity should not be assumed to qualify without a full program-specific analysis.
Does category eligibility add CRS points?
No. Eligible researchers are ranked by their existing CRS score in any relevant round.
When will the first researcher round happen?
IRCC has not published a guaranteed schedule. The current category can remain relevant even if category-eligible candidates are selected through other round types.
Official government sources
General information only. This page was reviewed on the date shown, but IRCC may change categories or instructions without notice. Verify the live government source before relying on any requirement.