Canada plans three new Express Entry job categories for 2026, focusing on senior managers, scientists and researchers, and military personnel. If adopted, the changes could make it easier for skilled workers in these areas to qualify for permanent residence in Canada.

The proposals were outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in a public consultation notice recently posted online.

If implemented, the new categories would become part of the existing Express Entry system, Canada’s federal immigration platform for processing skilled worker applications for permanent residence.

While IRCC has not yet announced a timeline for further details, the consultation period is open until September 3, 2025.

Proposed New Job Categories

Leadership And Executive Positions

As Canada plans three new Express Entry job categories for 2026, the first one is leadership and executive positions. 

According to IRCC’s consultation notice, senior managers are ‘highly skilled workers who oversee the operations of a company or organization and lead a team of employees.’

IRCC believes that welcoming such leaders could introduce innovative strategies, accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, enhance productivity, and help Canadian businesses achieve their long-term strategic goals.

The department also notes that attracting high-level executives could improve Canada’s global competitiveness and stimulate sustained economic growth.

Specialists In Research And Innovation

IRCC highlights that research and innovation are powerful drivers of productivity, performance, and economic development. Skilled individuals in this sector can contribute to groundbreaking discoveries, technological advances, and solutions to national and global challenges.

The consultation notice did not yet specify which scientific disciplines or research roles might be prioritized, leaving room for further discussion during the consultation period.

National Defence And Security Roles

The third proposed category would focus on military professionals from allied nations who could join the Canadian Armed Forces.

The aim is to fill critical defence roles, strengthen Canada’s military readiness, and ensure that the Armed Forces have the highly skilled personnel needed to meet evolving security challenges.

What Could Continue In 2026?

French-Speaking Immigration Outside Quebec

IRCC has signalled that Francophone immigration outside Quebec is expected to remain a focus in 2026.

Under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada has set annual targets for the percentage of French-speaking permanent residents settling outside Quebec:

  • 8.5% in 2025
  • 9.5% in 2026
  • 10% in 2027

This policy supports the government’s commitment to strengthening Francophone communities across Canada.

Sectors With Ongoing Labour Shortages

Canada continues to face labour shortages in several sectors. IRCC may maintain a focus on these fields within the category-based selection framework:

  • Healthcare
  • Skilled trades (including construction roles critical for addressing housing shortages)
  • Education
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
  • Agriculture and agri-food

These sectors are already included in the 2025 category-based selection priorities.

As part of the consultation process, IRCC is also asking industries experiencing staffing shortages whether Express Entry should prioritize candidates already living in Canada or those applying from abroad.

Potential Implications For International Students

Changes to Express Entry categories can influence Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility for graduates of non-exempt postsecondary programs.

Field of study requirements, introduced in 2024, aim to align the education of international graduates with Canada’s labour market needs.

Currently, 119 fields of study qualify for PGWP eligibility and 178 programs were removed from the list earlier in 2025.

Any adjustments to Express Entry categories in 2026 could lead to updates in the PGWP-eligible field list. IRCC intends to publish the revised list in early 2026.

Notably, graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs remain exempt from these field-of-study restrictions.

Understanding Category-Based Selection

As Canada plans three new Express Entry job categories for 2026, it is vital to know about category-based selection. 

What It Is?

Category-based selection draws, introduced in 2023, help Canada address specific labour market needs by targeting Express Entry candidates with in-demand skills or certain language abilities.

The categories are reviewed each year to ensure they remain relevant to Canada’s changing economic and workforce priorities.

Current Categories For 2025

For 2025, the Express Entry categories include:

  • French language proficiency
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Agriculture and agri-food
  • STEM
  • Skilled trades
  • Education (added in 2025)

Among these, the top priorities are:

  • French-language proficiency
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Skilled trades
  • Education

How It Works?

In a category-based selection draw, IRCC invites candidates who meet the criteria for a specific category to apply for permanent residence.

This is in addition to other draw types, such as:

One key benefit of category-based draws is that they often have lower CRS cut-off scores than general draws, making it easier for eligible candidates to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

For example:

  • The most recent Canadian Experience Class draw required a CRS score of 534.
  • The latest healthcare and social services draw had a cut-off score of 475, enabling more healthcare professionals to secure ITAs.

By adding new categories in 2026, IRCC aims to ensure Express Entry continues to align with Canada’s economic needs, while giving skilled professionals in certain fields a greater chance of receiving invitations.

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