Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially published a priority occupation list for accelerated work permit applications for 2026.
The priority occupation list for the work permit applications targeted essential roles in healthcare and agriculture to address ongoing labour shortages.
Taking effect from February 1, 2026, this initiative introduces expedited processing for employer-specific work permit applications in designated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, allowing qualified foreign workers to enter the Canadian workforce much faster.
According to IRCC guidance posted on the official website of the Canadian government, applications correctly identifying these roles are routed to specialized processing teams, with many decisions expected within 10 business days—far shorter than the standard 60-day service benchmark for most employer-specific permits.
Priority occupations for accelerated work permit applications in healthcare include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing coordinators and supervisors (NOC 31300), personal support workers, nurse practitioners, medical laboratory technologists, pharmacists, and paramedical professionals. These roles are vital for maintaining public health services amid an aging population and increased demand for care.
By fast-tracking these applications, IRCC said it aims to support healthcare employers in delivering timely and reliable services to Canadians.
In the agriculture and agri-food sector, priority occupations for accelerated work permits cover positions such as butchers (retail and wholesale, NOC 63201), meat cutters, farm supervisors, livestock workers, harvesting labourers, and fish and seafood plant workers. These jobs are essential to Canada’s food supply chain, from primary production to processing and distribution. The accelerated pathway helps agricultural businesses respond quickly to seasonal and year-round labour needs, reducing disruptions in food production and export activities.
The statement reads in part: “The Global Skills Strategy (GSS) allows certain highly skilled temporary workers (like those in the engineering or technical field) to start work in Canada faster.
We aim to process eligible and complete GSS work permit applications within 2 weeks. Jobs that require a labour market impact assessment (LMIA) and jobs that are exempt from this requirement may be eligible for faster processing through GSS.”
This expedited processing covers employer-specific work permits, including but not limited to:
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permits;
- Francophone Mobility Work Permits; and
- International Experience Canada (IEC) work permits.
Below are the occupations covered under the new initiative:
Healthcare occupations
- Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- Specialists in surgery
- Police investigators and other investigative occupations
- General practitioners and family physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
- Other professional occupations in health, diagnosing and treating
- Pharmacists
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
- Medical radiation technologists
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- Licensed practical nurses
- Paramedical occupations
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Butchers – Retail and wholesale
- Meat cutters and fishmongers – Retail and wholesale
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- Livestock labourers
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
- Harvesting labourers
- Nursery and greenhouse labourers
- Fish and seafood plant workers
- Labourers in food and beverage processing
- Labourers in fish and seafood processing
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers
How can applicants in these occupations receive priority processing?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) occupation-based priority processing is not a separate application stream you apply for—it’s triggered by how you complete your work permit application.
To be considered, you must be applying for an employer-specific work permit in an eligible occupation (based on IRCC’s priority NOC lists).
In practice, applicants should:
- Use the exact NOC code tied to the job offer (the NOC your employer used in the Employer Portal offer of employment or on the LMIA, if applicable).
- Enter only that NOC code in the work permit form’s “Job title” field under Details of intended work in Canada ( “Box 4” on the PDF form).
- Ensure consistency across documents (job offer/LMIA, role duties, and the NOC code) so the file can be routed correctly.
