Canada Expands Express Entry Categories to Prioritize Top Talent in 2026

Ottawa, February 18, 2026 — The Government of Canada has announced significant updates to its Express Entry system, introducing refined and expanded categories aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals to address critical labour shortages and support long-term economic growth.

The announcement was made by Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the 2026 changes align immigration selection with Canada’s most pressing workforce needs.

The reforms are part of Canada’s broader strategy to return immigration levels to sustainability while maintaining competitiveness in the global race for talent.

In addition to continuing key priority sectors, Canada is introducing and strengthening targeted categories for:

Foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience

Researchers with Canadian work experience

Senior managers with Canadian work experience

Transport professionals, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors

Highly skilled foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces, including military doctors, nurses and pilots

The first invitation round for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience took place yesterday, 19th February 2026, inviting 391 physicians. The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 169, and candidates were required to have created their Express Entry profiles before 3:25 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026.

Current Express Entry Categories (2026)
The following categories are currently prioritized:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations
• Transport occupations
• Physicians with Canadian work experience
• Senior managers with Canadian work experience
• Researchers with Canadian work experience
• Skilled Military Recruits

Strengthening Canada’s Workforce
Immigration accounts for nearly 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, making Express Entry a critical tool in addressing shortages across healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, education and high-level management.

Minister Diab emphasized that refining Express Entry ensures newcomers are selected based on skills that directly support communities and provincial labour market priorities, allowing them to contribute from day one.

Express Entry remains Canada’s primary system for managing permanent residence applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and portions of the Provincial Nominee Program.

The government confirmed that Canadian Experience Class draws and French-language category draws have continued into early 2026, prioritizing candidates already contributing to Canada’s economy.

These updates reinforce Canada’s commitment to attracting and retaining world-class talent while strengthening economic resilience and national growth.Canada Expands Express Entry Categories to Prioritize Top Talent in 2026

Ottawa, February 18, 2026 — The Government of Canada has announced significant updates to its Express Entry system, introducing refined and expanded categories aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals to address critical labour shortages and support long-term economic growth.

The announcement was made by Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the 2026 changes align immigration selection with Canada’s most pressing workforce needs.

The reforms are part of Canada’s broader strategy to return immigration levels to sustainability while maintaining competitiveness in the global race for talent.

In addition to continuing key priority sectors, Canada is introducing and strengthening targeted categories for:

Foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience

Researchers with Canadian work experience

Senior managers with Canadian work experience

Transport professionals, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors

Highly skilled foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces, including military doctors, nurses and pilots

The first invitation round for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience took place yesterday, 19th February 2026, inviting 391 physicians. The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 169, and candidates were required to have created their Express Entry profiles before 3:25 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026.

Current Express Entry Categories (2026)
The following categories are currently prioritized:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations
• Transport occupations
• Physicians with Canadian work experience
• Senior managers with Canadian work experience
• Researchers with Canadian work experience
• Skilled Military Recruits

Strengthening Canada’s Workforce
Immigration accounts for nearly 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, making Express Entry a critical tool in addressing shortages across healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, education and high-level management.

Minister Diab emphasized that refining Express Entry ensures newcomers are selected based on skills that directly support communities and provincial labour market priorities, allowing them to contribute from day one.

Express Entry remains Canada’s primary system for managing permanent residence applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and portions of the Provincial Nominee Program.

The government confirmed that Canadian Experience Class draws and French-language category draws have continued into early 2026, prioritizing candidates already contributing to Canada’s economy.

These updates reinforce Canada’s commitment to attracting and retaining world-class talent while strengthening economic resilience and national growth.

Ottawa, February 18, 2026 — The Government of Canada has announced significant updates to its Express Entry system, introducing refined and expanded categories aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals to address critical labour shortages and support long-term economic growth.

The announcement was made by Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the 2026 changes align immigration selection with Canada’s most pressing workforce needs.

The reforms are part of Canada’s broader strategy to return immigration levels to sustainability while maintaining competitiveness in the global race for talent.

In addition to continuing key priority sectors, Canada is introducing and strengthening targeted categories for:

Foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience

Researchers with Canadian work experience

Senior managers with Canadian work experience

Transport professionals, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors

Highly skilled foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces, including military doctors, nurses and pilots

The first invitation round for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience took place yesterday, 19th February 2026, inviting 391 physicians. The draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 169, and candidates were required to have created their Express Entry profiles before 3:25 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026.

Current Express Entry Categories (2026)
The following categories are currently prioritized:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations
• Transport occupations
• Physicians with Canadian work experience
• Senior managers with Canadian work experience
• Researchers with Canadian work experience
• Skilled Military Recruits

Strengthening Canada’s Workforce
Immigration accounts for nearly 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, making Express Entry a critical tool in addressing shortages across healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, education and high-level management.

Minister Diab emphasized that refining Express Entry ensures newcomers are selected based on skills that directly support communities and provincial labour market priorities, allowing them to contribute from day one.

Express Entry remains Canada’s primary system for managing permanent residence applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and portions of the Provincial Nominee Program.

The government confirmed that Canadian Experience Class draws and French-language category draws have continued into early 2026, prioritizing candidates already contributing to Canada’s economy.

These updates reinforce Canada’s commitment to attracting and retaining world-class talent while strengthening economic resilience and national growth.