The federal government is considering expanding Express Entry in 2026 with three new occupational categories that could make it easier for foreign nationals in specific high-demand fields to secure permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched a public consultation on the proposed additions, which include senior managers, scientists and researchers, and skilled military personnel from allied nations. The consultation remains open until September 3, 2025.
The proposed senior manager category would target experienced leaders responsible for overseeing organizational operations and managing teams. IRCC believes attracting high-level executives could enhance productivity, accelerate digital transformation, and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness in the global economy. The research and innovation category would prioritize certain scientists and researchers to boost innovation and stimulate economic growth, though specific fields have not yet been identified. The national security and defence category would focus on highly skilled military recruits to support the Canadian Armed Forces.
These new categories would join ongoing priority areas from 2025, including Francophone immigration outside Quebec, healthcare, skilled trades, education, STEM, and agriculture. Under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan, the government aims to increase French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec from 8.5% in 2025 to 10% by 2027. IRCC also continues to evaluate whether category-based selection should focus more on talent already in Canada or on attracting candidates from abroad.
Changes to Express Entry categories could also influence Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility rules. Current PGWP policies tie certain eligible fields of study to Canada’s labour market needs, and IRCC plans to announce updates in early 2026. While graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs remain exempt from field restrictions, category changes could affect other programs.
Category-based selection, introduced in 2023, allows IRCC to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with in-demand skills or language abilities, often at lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores than general draws. In 2025, priority categories included French language proficiency, healthcare, trades, and education, with CRS cut-offs in targeted draws sometimes dozens of points lower than those in general rounds. The proposed 2026 changes aim to keep the program aligned with evolving labour and security priorities.
