The Canadian government has officially announced the 2026 Express Entry priority talent categories.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab unveiled the updated selection criteria, signaling a major shift toward high-level leadership, research, and defense capabilities.
The update on the 2026 Express Entry priority talent categories was also disclosed in a statement issued by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada dated February 18, 2026.
The changes come as Canada seeks to align immigration with labour market needs while managing intake levels and strengthening economic resilience.
In the statement, Diab, announced new selection categories that will guide invitations issued through the Express Entry system.
“Canada’s future depends on a workforce ready to meet the challenges of a changing economy. By refining Express Entry to focus on the skills our communities truly need, we are strengthening our labour market, supporting provincial priorities, and ensuring newcomers can contribute from day one.”
The 2026 categories introduce a new pathway for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience and add priority streams for:
- Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Transport professionals, including pilots, aircraft mechanics, and inspectors
- Highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces for critical roles such as doctors, nurses, and pilots
Immigration authorities will also continue targeted invitation rounds for candidates with strong skills and those with work experience in the following categories that were in place in 2025:
- Health care and social services, such as nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, and chiropractors, and trades such as carpenters, plumbers, and machinists
- French-language proficiency and applicants with work experience in healthcare, social services, and skilled trades.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Canada’s Express Entry system has been the country’s primary application management platform for permanent immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and part of the Provincial Nominee Program.
Recent draws in early 2026 prioritised Canadian Experience Class candidates already contributing to the economy, alongside French-language proficiency draws aimed at strengthening bilingual capacity.
The new categories build on Canada’s International Talent Attraction Strategy, designed to position the country competitively amid intensifying global competition for skilled workers.
IRCC also introduced stricter eligibility criteria, increasing the minimum work experience requirement for renewed occupational categories from six months to 12 months.
The requirement applies to healthcare and social services, education, STEM, and trade occupations and can be gained in Canada or abroad within the previous three years.
In addition, cooks have been removed from the trade occupations list for 2026 and will no longer qualify for trade occupation Express Entry draws. Officials say the changes are intended to select candidates more likely to succeed in Canada’s labour market.
