The government of Canada has officially updated the eligibility criteria for its popular immigration pathways.
As of February 18, 2026, Canada has increased the work experience requirement for Express Entry applications within all occupational categories.
The update, announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab, specifically impacts category-based selection draws.
Under the new rules, candidates must now demonstrate at least 12 months of work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years to qualify for these targeted rounds.
Previously, candidates needed only six months of continuous work experience in the past three years to qualify under a category. So the bar has effectively doubled.
The new work experience requirement for Express Entry applications will also be based on total hours.
To qualify, applicants must have full-time work of at least 30 hours per week, ornan equivalent amount of part-time work.
However, any hours worked above 30 per week will not be counted toward the requirement.
In simple terms, an applicant cannot speed up the process by working 50 or 60 hours weekly. Only 30 hours per week will count.
Also, the 12 months of work experience must relate to a single eligible occupation. You cannot combine different occupations to reach the total.
The experience must also fall within the last three years. This applies whether the work was done in Canada or abroad, unless a specific category requires Canadian work experience.
For those who studied in Canada, there is a key restriction. Work experience gained while enrolled as a full-time student does not count. This includes co-op placements, internships completed during full-time study
Category-based selection within Express Entry gives certain occupations priority. If an applicant’s job falls under a targeted category, the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence can increase.
By raising the work experience requirement from six months to 12 months, Canada is tightening eligibility for these targeted draws.
For many candidates, especially newer workers, this could delay eligibility. For others who already meet the new threshold, it may not change much, except that competition could narrow slightly.
This update applies to all Express Entry occupational categories starting February 18, 2026.
