published on 23 February 2026 @ 4:22 pm · COMMENT

Canada Updates Express Entry for 2026: Who’s Being Prioritized

Canada is updating its Express Entry system in 2026 to focus on highly skilled workers who can fill critical labor shortages. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the changes on February 18, 2026, emphasizing the government’s goal of attracting talent with Canadian work experience in high-demand sectors.

The updated Express Entry system introduces three new occupational categories for permanent residence:

• Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience;
• Candidates with work experience in transport occupations; and
• Skilled military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces.

The first draw for physicians with Canadian work experience, a category added in December 2025, is scheduled for this week. Other priority categories, such as French-language speakers, healthcare and social services workers, and skilled trades, will continue. The agriculture and agri-food category has been retired.

To qualify for the new categories, candidates must have at least one year of work experience within the past three years, up from six months previously. Military recruits have extra requirements: they must have 10 years of foreign military service, a full-time Canadian Armed Forces job offer for at least three years, and a post-secondary credential of at least two years.

The senior manager category includes jobs in construction, transportation, production, trade, broadcasting, health, education, social services, and finance. The researcher category covers university professors, lecturers, and teaching/research assistants. The transport category focuses on pilots, flight engineers, automotive and aircraft mechanics, and avionics specialists. The military category targets operations members, specialized personnel, and commissioned officers.

Express Entry uses category-based selection (CBS) to issue invitations to candidates who meet specific occupational criteria. Since April 2024, CBS has been the primary route for foreign nationals without Canadian work experience or provincial nominations. Other draws occur under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which requires at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience.

The 2026 Express Entry priority categories reflect the government’s commitment to strategic, skills-based immigration, targeting professions essential to economic resilience, healthcare, research, and national security. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review their eligibility carefully, particularly in the newly prioritized occupational categories.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE