The Government of Canada has announced sweeping changes to its Express Entry immigration system for 2026, introducing new priority categories aimed at drawing top-tier global talent, addressing labour gaps and strengthening economic growth.
Details of the overhaul were published on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Diab, outlining the reforms on Thursday as part of the country’s International Talent Attraction Strategy.
Diab said the adjustments are intended to restore balance and reinforce public trust in Canada’s immigration framework, while ensuring that new arrivals are equipped to contribute meaningfully from the outset.
She explained that Express Entry remains central to Canada’s strategy for recruiting and retaining skilled workers required to drive national development.
The online platform manages applications for three permanent residence streams the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Under the revised structure, category-based invitation rounds will continue, targeting candidates in the Express Entry pool whose qualifications match critical sectors of the economy.
Existing priority streams retained
Healthcare and social services professionals including nurse practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, psychologists and chiropractors will continue to receive priority consideration.
Skilled trades such as carpenters, plumbers and machinists, alongside STEM professionals like engineers and cybersecurity experts, also remain eligible.
French-language proficiency will remain a significant selection factor, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec.
New focus areas for 2026
The 2026 update introduces additional categories aligned with Canada’s evolving economic and security priorities.
Foreign-trained medical doctors with Canadian work experience will now have a clearer pathway to permanent residence, a move aimed at easing persistent healthcare shortages.
Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience are also being prioritised to enhance innovation and economic expansion, supported by a $1.7bn federal drive to attract globally recognised researchers.
Transport professionals, including pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and inspectors, have been added to reinforce trade, supply chain stability and economic resilience.
In addition, skilled military recruits such as doctors, nurses and pilots holding job offers from the Canadian Armed Forces will be considered under a new stream to support national defence and the country’s Defence Industrial Strategy.
Tighter eligibility criteria
Authorities have raised the minimum work experience requirement for most categories from six months to 12 months.
Applicants must have obtained this experience within the past three years, whether in Canada or abroad.
Cooks have been removed from the eligible trades list and will no longer qualify under Express Entry draws.
Boost for Francophone immigration
Canada has surpassed its Francophone immigration targets outside Quebec for four consecutive years, recording nearly nine per cent of admissions in 2025.
For 2026, the government plans to admit more than 30,000 French-speaking newcomers annually, with a long-term target of 12 per cent by 2029.
Economic and system stability goals
Diab stressed that a predictable and transparent immigration framework benefits employers, provinces and communities alike.
By prioritising candidates with skills aligned to labour market needs, the government aims to close workforce gaps in healthcare, infrastructure, housing, technology and cybersecurity.
The first Express Entry invitation rounds under the new categories are expected in the coming days, beginning with foreign medical doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Applicants will continue to be assessed under a points-based ranking system measuring education, language proficiency, work experience and other human capital factors to ensure alignment with Canada’s economic priorities.