The federal government of Canada has published a new set of priorities for permanent residency via the Express Entry immigration system for the year 2026, indicating a change in the types of work experiences that will receive emphasis when inviting applicants.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab has highlighted that this year, three occupational groups will take precedence: researchers and senior managers with experience in Canada, as well as professionals in transport and skilled military personnel.
Under the updated framework, the requisite work experience for all prioritized groups has been raised to a minimum of one year, an increase from the previous six months. The required experience does not have to be continuous but must have been acquired within the last three years.
The category-based selection (CBS) under Express Entry enhances the likelihood for foreign candidates in eligible occupations to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Since April 2024, CBS has become the sole route for applicants lacking Canadian work experience or provincial nominations, with non-CBS selections now limited to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Diab emphasized that these modifications aim to bolster Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, which is a vital element of the economic development initiative led by Mark Carney. The Minister also stressed that asylum applications should not be regarded as an alternative entry point to immigration and reminded visitors attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 to adhere to standard entry requirements.
The newly established priority occupational categories and corresponding example jobs include:
-Senior Managers with Canadian Experience
-Researchers with Canadian Work Experience
-Post-secondary teaching and research assistants (NOC 41201)
-University professors and lecturers (NOC 41200)
\- Skilled Military Personnel
\- Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces (NOC 43204)
\- Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces (NOC 42102)
\- Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces (NOC 40042)
Requirements specific to the military classification include a minimum of 10 years continuous service in an accredited foreign military, a full-time job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces for at least three years, as well as a post-secondary education credential that spans two years or more.
\- Transport Positions:
\- Air pilots, flight engineers, and flying instructors (NOC 72600)
\- Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics, and mechanical repairers (NOC 72410)
\- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors (NOC 72404)
\- Aircraft instrument, electrical, and avionics mechanics, technicians, and inspectors (NOC 22313)
This week will also mark the inaugural Express Entry draw for physicians with Canadian work experience, a newly introduced category as of December 2025.
The government continues to prioritize candidates with proficiency in the French language, alongside those in healthcare, social services, and skilled trades, but has retired the agriculture and agri-food category.
Express Entry remains the primary mechanism through which Canada selects permanent residents. Candidates undergo evaluation via the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assesses parameters including work experience, education, language proficiency, and age. The CRS also takes into account a foreign spouse's Canadian work experience, education, and language capabilities in the overall scoring.
Since the introduction of category-based selection in May 2023, the system has seen numerous updates, with certain categories added, removed, or modified. Historical records indicate that more than 144,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been issued via CBS since its launch.
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