Canada Reshapes Express Entry with New Targeted Occupation Streams for 2026

February 19, 2026
CIC News Update
Canada, Express Entry
0

In a major update to its economic immigration strategy, the Government of Canada has unveiled three new occupational priority categories under the Express Entry system. The announcement was made on February 18, 2026, by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab during a speech in Toronto.

The newly targeted categories include:

Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience
Transport-related occupations
Skilled military personnel

These additions are part of a broader recalibration of category-based selection under Express Entry and reflect Canada’s evolving labour market and national development goals.

Also Read Canada Introduces Three New Express Entry Priority Categories for PR

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One-Year Work Experience Now Required

A key change accompanying the new categories is an increase in the minimum work experience threshold.

Applicants must now demonstrate at least one year of eligible work experience within the past three years. Unlike previous requirements, this work experience does not need to be continuous. Previously, some categories allowed qualification with six months of uninterrupted experience.

This revision applies across all occupational categories under category-based selection.

Senior Managers with Canadian Experience

Canada is prioritising high-level leadership roles across major sectors. The following occupations are included under this category:

Senior Managers – Eligible Occupations

Occupation	2021 NOC code
Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities	00015
Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services	00014
Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organisations	00013
Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services	00012

These roles reflect Canada’s need for experienced decision-makers capable of supporting infrastructure growth and economic expansion.

Researchers with Canadian Work Experience

The government is also placing greater emphasis on academic and research talent trained or employed within Canada.

Research-Focused Occupations

Occupation	2021 NOC code
Post-secondary teaching and research assistants	41201
University professors and lecturers	41200

By prioritising these professionals, Canada aims to strengthen its research ecosystem and maintain competitiveness in innovation-driven sectors.

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New Skilled Military Recruits Category

Another newly introduced pathway targets foreign military professionals.

Skilled Military Occupations

Occupation	2021 NOC code
Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces	43204
Specialised members of the Canadian Armed Forces	42102
Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces	40042

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Candidates under the military category must meet further criteria beyond the one-year work experience requirement:

A minimum of ten years of continuous service in a recognised foreign military
A full-time job offer of at least three years from the Canadian Armed Forces
A post-secondary qualification from a program lasting at least two years

These measures are aligned with Canada’s broader defence workforce objectives.

Introduction of a Revamped Transport Category

A newly structured transport category has also been introduced. Notably, this version does not include occupations from the previous transport stream that was discontinued in early 2025.

Transport Occupations

Occupation	2021 NOC code
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors	72600
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers	72410
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors	72404
Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors	22313

This revised category supports Canada’s aviation, logistics, and mechanical sectors.

Physicians Category to Hold First Draw

The government also confirmed that the first draw for the “Physicians with Canadian Work Experience” category, introduced in December 2025, will take place this week. This stream was created to address Canada’s ongoing healthcare workforce shortages.

Categories Continuing and Categories Retired

While several new categories have been introduced, others remain central to Express Entry selection.

The government will continue prioritising:

French-language proficiency
Healthcare and social services occupations
Trade occupations

However, the Agriculture and Agri-Food category has now been formally discontinued.

How Category-Based Selection Works

Under category-based selection (CBS), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) specifically to candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet the requirements of a chosen occupational category.

Since April 2024, most non-provincial draws have been restricted to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), meaning applicants generally require at least one year of skilled Canadian work experience to receive an ITA outside of category-based rounds.

Candidates must also:

Intend to reside outside Quebec
Qualify under one of the three federal programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Have skilled work experience classified under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
Meet minimum English or French language requirements

All profiles are ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores candidates out of 1,200 points based on age, education, language ability, work experience, and other factors.

Overview of Category-Based Selection Rounds

Below is a summary of category-based Express Entry rounds since their introduction:

Round type	Number of draws held	Total ITAs issued
Agriculture and agri-food occupations (Version 1)	3	1,150
Education occupations (Version 1)	2	3,500
French language proficiency (Version 1)	26	79,700
French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2	1	8,500
Healthcare and social services occupations (Version 2)	7	14,500
Healthcare occupations (Version 1)	6	15,850
STEM occupations (Version 1)	3	10,900
Trade occupations (Version 1)	4	6,100
Trade occupations (Version 2)	1	1,250
Transport occupations (Version 1)	3	2,645
Total	56	144,095

These figures illustrate how category-based selection has become a central mechanism in Canada’s permanent residence system.

Asylum Reform Also Highlighted

During the same address, Minister Diab discussed ongoing asylum reforms under Bill C-12. She stressed that Canada maintains clear economic immigration pathways and that the asylum system is intended strictly for individuals in genuine need of protection.

The proposed legislation has passed the House of Commons and is currently under review in the Senate. It must complete the remaining legislative steps before becoming law.

Strategic Direction of Express Entry

The latest updates demonstrate Canada’s continued shift toward targeted, occupation-driven selection under Express Entry. By focusing on leadership roles, research talent, transportation specialists, and experienced military professionals, the government aims to address critical workforce gaps while advancing national economic and defence priorities.

Further details and draw results are expected in the coming days as implementation begins.

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