New Jobs and Categories Under Express Entry
What Are the New Jobs and Categories Under Express Entry 2026?
Canada’s immigration system will be in a new phase. The most recent changes to the Express Entry system make it clear that the focus has shifted to candidates who are already helping the Canadian economy. However, it is still possible for highly skilled professionals from other countries to come to Canada in priority sectors.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has made Express Entry 2026 more focused, competitive, and in line with Canada’s long-term plans for the labour market by adding new job categories, changing the work experience requirements, and making other policy changes. These changes are meant to make sure that new workers are not only qualified on paper but also ready to join the workforce quickly. This means that applicants need to be more prepared, accurate, and strategic than ever before.
This detailed guide tells you everything you need to know about applying for Canada PR in 2026, or if you are already in the Express Entry pool. It covers new Express Entry categories for 2026, eligibility requirements, NOC codes, CRS strategy, and how to increase your chances of getting an ITA. If you fully understand these updates, you might get an invitation sooner than you thought, instead of waiting in the pool for months.
Understanding the Canada Express Entry System in 2026
The Canada Express Entry system remains the primary pathway for skilled immigration under three federal programs:
Candidates create an online profile and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on their age, education, work experience, language skills, and adaptability. If you have a high CRS score, you are more likely to get an Invitation to Apply in a general or category-based draw. However, as category-based selection becomes more common, the type of job and the amount of experience someone has are now much more important than they used to be.
IRCC no longer considers only high CRS scores since it started using category-based selection draws. Instead, it also holds targeted draws to invite people who work in high-demand fields, which helps fill job openings in all provinces. This method lets Canada quickly fill gaps in the workforce in fields like healthcare, technology, defence, and skilled trades.
What Changed in Express Entry 2026?
They reflect Canada’s economic immigration priorities for the next decade. The updates clearly show that Canada wants immigrants who can immediately contribute to productivity, innovation, and community development.
1. Three New Category-Based Streams Introduced
- Senior Managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled Military Recruits
All three categories need at least one year of recent work experience in Canada. This requirement ensures that applicants are already familiar with Canadian laws, professional standards, and workplace norms. It also makes it easier to fit in after getting permanent residency.
2. Restart of the Transport Category
The Transport category came back in 2026, but the list of NOC codes that were acceptable was completely different. Advanced automotive and aviation jobs are now more important than general ground transportation jobs. This realignment shows how Canada is putting money into advanced vehicle technologies, supply chain resilience, and aerospace.
3. Getting rid of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Category
The Agriculture and Agri-Food stream is no longer available, according to the rules. Candidates who were hoping to get into this stream now need to consider other categories, like healthcare or trades, depending on their NOC. This change makes candidates think carefully about whether they are still qualified and look into other careers that are in high demand.
4. More Need for Work Experience
The minimum amount of qualifying experience for all category-based streams has gone up from six months to a year, and it must have been gained in the last three years. The experience must meet the TEER 0 to 3 classification standards, but it doesn’t have to be continuous. This higher standard is meant to make sure that selected applicants have a lot of real-world experience in their field.
This change has a big effect on who can apply for Express Entry in 2026, especially for new graduates and temporary foreign workers. Before hoping to be eligible for a targeted draw, applicants should carefully plan their schedules to make sure they meet the one-year requirement.
Full List of Express Entry Categories 2026
Here is a full list of the active Express Entry category-based selection streams in 2026. Each category has been carefully chosen to fill specific job openings and meet long-term national goals. Before you enter or update your profile, you need to know where your job fits in.
1. Transport Occupations 2026
This new category is for aviation and automotive experts who will help Canada’s supply chain, air travel, and advanced manufacturing industries. As more people want to fly and more planes are built to fix planes, skilled aviation workers are becoming more and more valuable.
Eligible NOC Codes include:
- 72600 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
- 72410 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics
- 72404 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- 22313 Aircraft instrument and avionics technicians
2. Physicians with Canadian Work Experience
This category was created to help with the lack of doctors in rural and underserved areas. It is for licensed doctors who are already working in Canada. Access to health care is still a top priority for the country, especially in smaller provinces and remote areas.
Eligible NOC Codes:
- 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
- 31101 Specialists in surgery
- 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
3. Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience
Eligible NOC Codes:
- 00015 Senior managers in construction, production and utilities
- 00014 Senior managers in trade and services
- 00013 Senior managers in health, education and social services
- 00012 Senior managers in financial and business services
Candidates must show that they have held high-level management jobs in Canada. For this stream, detailed reference letters that explain who has the power to make decisions and how they affect the organisation are very important.
4. Researchers with Canadian Work Experience
This category is for academics and R&D professionals who want to improve innovation in AI, clean tech, biotech, and advanced research. Canada keeps spending a lot of money on research infrastructure and partnerships with universities.
Eligible NOC Codes:
- 41201 Postsecondary teaching and research assistants
- 41200 University professors and lecturers
5. Skilled Military Recruits
Eligible NOC Codes:
- 43204 Operations members of the Canadian Armed Forces
- 42102 Specialised members of the Canadian Armed Forces
- 40042 Commissioned officers
6. French Language Proficiency Category
Candidates who have NCLC 7 or higher in French can take advantage of special draws and lower CRS cutoffs. This helps Francophone immigration outside of Quebec. Even in general draws, having strong French skills can greatly improve your CRS scores. This is still one of the best ways for people with moderate CRS scores to get ahead. Better French skills can help you get invitations to events that are otherwise very competitive.
7. Healthcare and Social Services
Nurses, paramedics, social workers, counsellors, and other healthcare professionals still benefit from targeted draws. The healthcare system is still under a lot of stress because the population is growing and getting older. People applying in this stream should make sure that their professional licensing and credential evaluations are all done. Meeting the rules set by the province ahead of time can help you avoid delays after getting an ITA.
8. Trades Occupations
There is still a high demand for skilled trades because of Canada’s housing goals and plans to expand its infrastructure. There is a steady need for workers across provinces because of construction projects. Electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, and heavy equipment operators still get a lot of help from category-based draws. This path is faster for many tradespeople to get permanent residency than the regular Express Entry draws.
9. STEM Occupations
People who work in technology and engineering are still very important to Canada’s digital economy. Long-term competitiveness depends on innovation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. This group includes software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity experts, and engineers. STEM professionals still have good chances of getting a job in the Canada. because there are still not enough tech workers.
10. Education Occupations
Teachers and other education professionals help fill gaps in provinces, especially in early childhood and secondary education. The growing population has made the need for qualified teachers greater. People who want to apply to this group should check the requirements for provincial certification ahead of time. Having the right paperwork and teaching credentials can make your overall profile more credible.
Who Is Eligible for Express Entry 2026?
- Be eligible under FSWP, FSTP, or CEC
- Have a valid IELTS, CELPIP, TEF or TCF language test
- Possess at least one year of skilled work experience in TEER 0 to 3
- Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment if applying under FSWP
Candidates who don’t have valid language results, the wrong NOC classification, or enough experience won’t be able to enter category draws. Before you send in your profile, make sure to carefully review it. This can help you avoid expensive errors and missed chances.
5. Skilled Trades
Carpentry, wiring, cooking, and plumbing are in big demand. They are never “white-collar,” yet well-paying and with a path to a visa.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Express Entry 2026
- Step 1: Create or Update Your Express Entry Profile
Make sure that your CRS score is correct and takes into account your new language scores, Canadian job expertise, and NOC code. Even small differences in positions or dates can make you ineligible. If you keep your profile up to date, you’ll be considered for every draw.
- Step 2: Find the Right Category
- Step 3: Improve Your CRS Score
To increase your chances:
- Retake IELTS for higher CLB levels
- Apply for a Provincial Nominee Program
- Secure a valid LMIA-supported job offer
- Gain additional Canadian experience
- Step 4: Submit PR Application Within 60 Days
Monthly Intake Levels: 2024 and 2025
| Category | Jan–Jun 2024 | Jan–Jun 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Study Permits | 20,839 | 6,070 |
| Work Permits | 40,865 | 19,872 |
Study Permit Changes
- Territorial and provincial study permit quotas
- Increased proof of funds requirement
- Stricter Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility requirements
- Limited off-campus employment privileges
- Closure of express student streams such as the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and the Nigerian Student Express
How to Get an LMIA: What Employers Need to Know
LMIA Application Process:
Step 1: Submit Application to ESDC
Employers or the company should first open the job in Canada by advertising through various portals and make genuine efforts to recruit domestically. This should be for four weeks at least. They also have to provide details about job duties, wages, and employment conditions, along with the required processing fee.
Step 2: Wait for the LMIA Decision
Step 3: Share LMIA with the Worker
Is Express Entry 2026 More Competitive?
Picking the right NOC code, meeting the new work experience requirements, and putting your profile in the right place based on current Canada immigration trends are all important for success in Express Entry 2026. In this changing immigration landscape, those who plan, improve their credentials, and keep up with IRCC announcements will have a clear edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
