Canada | 2026 Express Entry categories announced

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced the 2026 Express Entry categories, which enable Canada to invite skilled, experienced candidates to fill critical labor gaps.

Key takeaways:

Express Entry is an online system used to manage immigration applications from skilled workers. Candidates who fall under specific categories are invited to apply for permanent residence.

The new categories for 2026 include:

• Medical doctors, researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience
• Experienced transport professionals, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors
• Skilled military recruits with a job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces, including military doctors, nurses and pilots

The renewed categories include those with a strong French-language proficiency and those with work experience in healthcare, social services, education, science, technology, engineering, math and trade occupations.

The minimum work experience required for all renewed categories is now 12 months rather than six months.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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