The Government of Canada has updated its Express Entry system for 2026, expanding category-based selection to target key sectors facing persistent labour shortages. The changes were announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, as part of its ongoing effort to align economic immigration with workforce demands.
Express Entry remains Canada’s primary system for managing applications under three federal economic immigration programmes, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Since the introduction of category-based selection in 2023 under amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, IRCC has had the authority to invite candidates based on specific economic priorities rather than solely on Comprehensive Ranking System, CRS, scores.
For 2026, IRCC has confirmed adjustments to targeted occupational categories, reflecting updated labour market data and consultations with provinces, territories, and industry stakeholders.
Background To Category-Based Selection
Category-based selection was formally introduced in 2023 following legislative amendments that allowed the Minister of Immigration to conduct draws focused on specific attributes. These attributes include work experience in priority occupations, French-language proficiency, or other economic characteristics identified as critical to Canada’s labour market.
The policy was implemented under the authority of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and is administered by IRCC. At the time of its launch, then Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser stated that the new approach would make the immigration system more responsive to economic needs. His successor, Marc Miller, has continued to oversee the system and refine its application.
Under the previous model, candidates in the Express Entry pool were ranked solely by CRS score, which is calculated based on age, education, language ability, work experience, and additional factors such as arranged employment or provincial nomination. Category-based selection allows IRCC to invite candidates who may have lower CRS scores but possess work experience in sectors identified as essential.
New Categories For 2026
For 2026, IRCC has updated the list of targeted sectors based on national labour shortages and economic forecasts. The revised categories focus on the following broad sectors:
Healthcare Occupations
Canada continues to experience shortages of doctors, nurses, personal support workers, and allied health professionals. Healthcare remains a top priority category. Eligible occupations include registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, pharmacists, and medical laboratory technologists.
Skilled Trades
Skilled trades remain essential to infrastructure, housing development, and manufacturing. Trades such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders, and heavy equipment technicians are included. The housing supply crisis has reinforced the importance of attracting construction workers through targeted immigration.
STEM Occupations
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics roles continue to be prioritised. Software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, civil engineers, and electrical engineers are among the occupations eligible under STEM-focused draws.
Transport And Logistics
Supply chain resilience remains a national priority. Occupations such as truck drivers, aircraft mechanics, and logistics coordinators are included within this category.
Agriculture And Agri-Food
Food security concerns and rural labour shortages have led to continued inclusion of agricultural workers, butchers, and farm supervisors.
In addition to occupational categories, French-language proficiency remains a distinct priority category. Candidates with strong French-language skills may receive targeted invitations regardless of occupation, supporting Canada’s objective of strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec.
IRCC has clarified that category lists are subject to periodic review and may be adjusted based on updated labour market information.
How The 2026 System Works
The Express Entry system continues to operate through regular draws from the candidate pool. For 2026, draws will occur under two main formats:
General Draws
These invite candidates with the highest CRS scores, regardless of occupation.
Category-Based Draws
These invite candidates who meet eligibility criteria for designated sectors or language categories. In these draws, CRS cut-off scores may be lower than in general draws.
To be eligible for a category-based draw, candidates must first qualify under one of the three federal programmes managed by Express Entry. They must also demonstrate at least six months of continuous full-time work experience, or equivalent part-time experience, in a listed occupation within the past three years.
The CRS remains the ranking tool within category-based draws. However, candidates are ranked only against others in the same targeted category rather than the entire pool.
Alignment With Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan
The 2026 update aligns with Canada’s multi-year Immigration Levels Plan, which sets annual targets for permanent resident admissions. The plan, tabled annually in Parliament by the Minister of Immigration, outlines projected intake levels across economic, family, and humanitarian streams.
Economic immigration remains the largest category, reflecting Canada’s strategy of addressing demographic decline and workforce gaps through skilled migration. Category-based selection is designed to fine-tune intake within that broader target.
Statistics Canada data show that population growth in recent years has been heavily driven by immigration, with economic migrants forming a significant share of permanent resident admissions.
Provincial And Territorial Coordination
While Express Entry is federally managed, provinces and territories continue to operate Provincial Nominee Programs, PNPs. Many provinces use Express Entry streams to nominate candidates aligned with local labour market needs.
The 2026 category adjustments were developed in consultation with provincial governments, employer groups, and labour market analysts. This coordination aims to reduce duplication and ensure that federal and provincial selection priorities complement each other.
Provincial nominations remain highly valuable within Express Entry, as they award candidates an additional 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Impact On Applicants
For prospective immigrants, the Canada Express Entry 2026 update creates both opportunities and strategic considerations.
Candidates working in priority sectors may benefit from lower CRS cut-offs in targeted draws. However, those outside designated categories may face increased competition in general draws.
Applicants are advised to ensure that their occupational classification aligns precisely with Canada’s National Occupational Classification, NOC, system. Misclassification can result in ineligibility for category-based draws.
Language testing, credential assessments, and accurate documentation remain mandatory components of the application process.
Broader Economic Context
Canada faces structural labour shortages driven by an ageing population and declining birth rates. According to federal projections, a growing share of Canada’s population is approaching retirement age, placing pressure on healthcare systems, pension schemes, and skilled trades.
By targeting immigration toward sectors experiencing acute shortages, IRCC aims to stabilise economic growth and maintain public service capacity.
However, immigration policy remains politically sensitive. Public debate continues regarding housing affordability, infrastructure capacity, and integration challenges. The government has stated that immigration levels are reviewed annually to balance economic needs with social capacity.
What To Watch In 2026
IRCC is expected to publish detailed instructions outlining draw frequencies and specific eligible occupations for each category. Candidates should monitor official announcements to stay informed of changes.
Further refinements to CRS scoring or category definitions are possible if labour market conditions shift during the year.
The Canada Express Entry 2026 update represents an evolution rather than a replacement of the system. The core structure remains intact, but the increasing use of targeted draws signals a more interventionist approach to economic immigration.
For applicants in healthcare, trades, STEM, agriculture, transport, or those with strong French-language proficiency, 2026 may offer enhanced pathways to permanent residence. For others, maintaining competitive CRS scores through education, language improvement, or provincial nomination remains essential.
As Canada continues to rely on immigration as a central pillar of its economic strategy, Express Entry will remain the primary mechanism through which skilled workers are selected and admitted. The adjustments for 2026 reinforce the government’s intention to link immigration policy more closely with measurable labour market demand.
