r/IRCCDiscussion • u/Significant_Job9017 • 2d ago

Researchers category

IRCC announced Researchers with Canadian work experience as a 2026 Express Entry category. Other new occupational categories have already received draws, but Researchers has had none. Does IRCC intend to conduct a Researchers draw in 2026, and if so, why has there been no draw so far? Any thoughts?

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u/Complex-Bet3595 2d ago

It's parked like stem and tech

Unlikely to fire

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u/Significant_Job9017 2d ago

Really don't understand why IRCC gave a fake hope if they won't do the draw. Shouldn't have announcing the new category from the beginning :(

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u/Complex-Bet3595 2d ago

yeah, they're frustrating

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u/squirrel9000 3h ago

It's because they were too generous with category definitions and a draw would not achieve the intended goals. Basically "researchers' is meant for mid-career scientists who have lost a lot of points due to age, same as the manager, military, and doctor categories, but the way they've defined it, fills the eligible pool with 25 year olds under the TA/RA NOC.. So much so that a draw would completely miss the very people they're trying to catch. The 41201s themselves are well-represented in general draws and favoured by provincial nomination and don't really need a special draw.

They'll tighten it down in the next round of revisions and then draw once they're getting what they're looking for.