Canada’s immigration system is evolving. On February 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the 2026 Express Entry selection categories designed to attract and retain highly skilled immigrants who can address labour shortages and contribute to long-term economic growth. These changes are part of the government’s broader International Talent Attraction Strategy, which aims to focus economic immigration on the professions Canada needs most while maintaining sustainable immigration levels.
Context and Policy Objectives
Express Entry remains Canada’s flagship mechanism for managing applications for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. In recent years, category-based selection has played a growing role, allowing IRCC to invite candidates with specific skills and experience rather than selecting solely by ranking score.
Under the 2026 changes, Canada’s immigration system is prioritizing economic outcomes and labour market alignment. Two policy goals are central: addressing critical labour shortages in priority sectors, and stabilizing immigration to sustainable levels in response to pressures on housing, infrastructure, and public services.
New and Renewed Priority Categories for 2026
The 2026 Express Entry categories comprise a mix of new targeted streams and continued priority areas. The changes reflect consultations with provinces, territories, employers, economic planners, and labour market stakeholders.
New Priority Categories
IRCC is introducing the following new categories in 2026:
- Medical Doctors with Canadian Work Experience
This category targets foreign medical doctors who have worked in Canada, creating a clear pathway to permanent residence. It is intended to support the health care sector by helping retain physicians who already have Canadian work experience. - Researchers with Canadian Work Experience
Recognizing the importance of research and innovation to Canada’s economic competitiveness, this category invites researchers with relevant Canadian experience. The change aligns with broader federal efforts to grow Canada’s research ecosystem, including a $1.7 billion initiative to attract world-leading researchers. - Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
This category targets individuals with substantial management experience gained in Canada. Senior managers play a role in business expansion, innovation, and strategic leadership, especially in sectors facing growth pressures. - Transport Occupations
Canada is including professions such as pilots, aircraft mechanics, and inspectors under a new category. These occupations are critical to maintaining supply chains, moving goods across the country, and supporting economic resilience. - Skilled Military Recruits with a Job Offer from the Canadian Armed Forces
This category is unique. It invites foreign-trained recruits with job offers from the Canadian Armed Forces, including roles such as doctors, nurses, and pilots. This change supports Canada’s defence and national security objectives by attracting highly skilled personnel vital to military readiness.
Continued Priority Categories
In addition to new streams, IRCC will continue existing priorities that were effective under the 2025 framework:
- French-Language Proficiency — Candidates with strong French skills continue to be selected. This supports demographic and economic goals related to Francophone and bilingual workforce development.
- Health Care and Social Services — Professions such as nurse practitioners, pharmacists, psychologists, and chiropractors remain priority occupations.
- Education and STEM Occupations — Educators and professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math fields will remain focus areas due to their crucial role in economic growth and innovation.
- Trade Occupations — Skilled trades such as carpenters, plumbers, and machinists continue to be included because of their importance in construction and infrastructure projects.
Changes to Work Experience Requirements
IRCC has also updated work experience criteria for eligible categories. Minimum experience requirements have increased from six months to one year, gained either in Canada or abroad within the past three years. This adjustment is intended to strengthen the selection of candidates most likely to succeed in the Canadian labour market.
Policy Rationale and Economic Significance
These policy changes reflect a targeted, evidence-based approach to managing economic immigration. By inviting candidates with specific skills, Canada aims to fill gaps in critical sectors, support innovation and competitiveness, and help employers plan long term. Targeted selection is seen as more responsive to labour market demand than a purely score-based ranking system.
The International Talent Attraction Strategy underpins the changes, reinforcing Canada’s intention to strengthen its workforce while balancing immigration flows. At the same time, stabilizing immigration within sustainable levels gives policymakers greater predictability and control.
Implications for Applicants and Employers
For prospective immigrants, the new categories offer clearer pathways to permanent residence if they have in-demand skills and Canadian experience. Candidates already in Canada, especially those with language skills or education and experience in targeted sectors, may find improved opportunities through category-based invitation rounds. Employers benefit from a more predictable pipeline of skilled workers to fill roles where domestic supply is insufficient.
Long-Term Outlook
Canada’s 2026 Express Entry changes should be seen within the broader context of immigration planning. The federal government’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan stabilizes permanent resident admissions while emphasizing economic immigration and labour market needs. As economic conditions evolve, the categories may be adjusted to reflect emerging priorities in the Canadian economy.
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The 2026 Express Entry priority categories represent a significant shift toward targeted economic immigration. By focusing on top talent across key sectors, Canada aims to support labour market needs, strengthen its competitiveness, and maintain a sustainable immigration system. Prospective applicants and employers should monitor these changes and consider how they might affect express entry pathways in the coming months.
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