New Proposed Occupational Categories for Express Entry in Canada, set for 2026
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced several changes to its immigration policies, focusing on addressing long-term labor shortages in key sectors and prioritizing the selection of highly skilled individuals.
PGWP Eligibility Changes
As of now, there are 119 fields of study eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), while 178 were removed from eligibility earlier this year. However, the department has announced that it will make the next announcement on PGWP-eligible fields of study in early 2026.
Graduates of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs are exempt from field of study requirements for PGWP eligibility.
Express Entry Changes
IRCC is considering creating new Express Entry categories for senior managers, scientists and researchers, and military personnel. The public consultation for these proposed changes is open until September 3, 2025.
The department believes that scientific research and innovation can enhance productivity and performance, and 'stimulate economic growth.' These sectors are already part of the 2025 Express Entry category-based selection, along with healthcare, skilled trades, education, and agriculture and agri-food.
Category-Based Selection
Category-based selection draws were introduced in 2023 to fill labor market gaps by focusing on Express Entry candidates with specific in-demand skills or language abilities. The CRS score for category-based selection rounds is often lower than that of general or Canadian Experience Class draws. For example, the most recent Canadian Experience Class draw had a CRS cut-off of 534, whereas the most recent healthcare and social service occupations draw had a cutoff of 475.
The priority categories for category-based selection are French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, trades occupations, and education occupations.
Francophone Immigration
Francophone immigration will likely remain a priority, outside Quebec, as per Canada's 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. IRCC is also considering prioritizing the selection of certain researchers and scientists.
Prioritizing the Canadian Armed Forces
IRCC is also considering supporting the Canadian Armed Forces by prioritizing the selection of highly skilled military recruits from allied countries.
These changes aim to make it easier for foreign nationals in these professions to obtain Canadian permanent residence and contribute to the Canadian economy. The government has not announced when any further details will be shared about its decision on the proposed new categories.
IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who meet specific category criteria, alongside general draws and program-specific rounds for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The government is also collecting feedback from stakeholders and considering whether Express Entry should focus on talent already in Canada versus overseas.
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