Canada prioritizes top talent in 2026 immigration Express Entry categories

February 18, 2026—Ottawa— Canada is taking back control to return immigration to sustainable levels, while ensuring it continues to support the economy. As global competition for skilled workers intensifies, Canada's immigration system is focused on attracting and retaining highly skilled immigrants through the International Talent Attraction Strategy.

Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the 2026 categories under the Express Entry system. This allows Canada to invite candidates with the skills and experience needed to fill critical labour gaps in key sectors and occupations.

In addition to a new category for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, Canada will introduce new categories for

researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience
candidates with work experience in transport occupations, including pilots, aircraft mechanics and inspectors
highly skilled foreign military applicants recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces in key roles such as military doctors, nurses and pilots

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will continue holding invitation rounds to select candidates with strong French skills and those with work experience in the following categories that were in place in 2025:

health care and social services, such as nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and chiropractors
trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and machinists

Quotes

"Canada's future depends on a workforce ready to meet the challenges of a changing economy. By refining Express Entry to focus on the skills our communities truly need, we are strengthening our labour market, supporting provincial priorities and ensuring newcomers can contribute from day one."

– The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

Immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada's labour force growth, helping to address labour shortages in key sectors.
Express Entry is Canada's flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
The first round for foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience will be in the coming days. Canadian Experience Class draws continued through early 2026 to prioritize candidates already contributing to Canada's economy. So did draws for the French-proficiency category.
Canada is working to attract and retain the best talent to our country. Today's announcement builds on important work to strengthen Canada's economic resilience through targeted measures for medical doctors, graduate students and researchers, as well as Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy.