Canada Adds Three New Express Entry Categories for 2026
The federal government has confirmed three new occupational priorities for permanent residence under the Express Entry system. The 2026 update will emphasize candidates with Canadian work experience in research and senior management roles, transport professionals, and foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced the new categories during a speech at the Canadian Club in Toronto on February 18, 2026. The announcement marks the first major Express Entry update of the year and aligns with ongoing efforts to address labour market needs across multiple sectors.
- New categories include researchers and senior managers with Canadian experience, transport occupations, and foreign military recruits.
- The next draw for physicians with Canadian work experience is scheduled for this week.
- Transport occupations will cover pilots, aircraft mechanics, and inspectors.
- Military applicants must be skilled recruits of the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Category-based selection continues to be a key tool for targeted immigration admissions.
Program Overview
The Express Entry system manages applications for three main federal immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Category-based selection, introduced in 2023, allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to target candidates with experience in specific sectors or skill sets aligned with Canada’s labour priorities.
Under the latest update, researchers and senior managers with Canadian experience, along with transport professionals and foreign military personnel, will receive priority consideration in future draws. The government stated that these categories reflect critical workforce demands and national recruitment goals.
Details of the New Categories
The transport category will include licensed pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, and aviation inspectors. The military category will apply to skilled personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces, such as pilots, nurses, and military physicians. The researchers and senior managers category will focus on individuals with Canadian research experience or executive management backgrounds.
Draw for Physicians
Minister Diab also confirmed that the first draw under the “Physicians with Canadian work experience” category will take place this week. This stream, introduced in December 2025, forms part of Canada’s broader strategy to strengthen the healthcare workforce through targeted immigration pathways.
Background on Category-Based Selection
IRCC first implemented category-based Express Entry draws in May 2023 under then-Minister Sean Fraser. The initial launch included six categories: French-language proficiency, healthcare, science and technology (STEM), trades, transport, and agriculture-related occupations. These categories were designed to attract workers in sectors experiencing persistent shortages.
In February 2025, IRCC restructured the program to include a new education category and remove the transport category. The February 2026 update effectively reintroduces transport occupations while expanding eligibility to additional groups, including foreign military personnel.
Historical Summary of Express Entry Categories
Since the inception of category-based selection, IRCC has conducted more than 50 targeted draws, issuing over 140,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across multiple categories. The largest share of invitations to date has gone to candidates with strong French-language proficiency and healthcare experience.
The reintroduction of transport occupations and the inclusion of military recruits signal a renewed emphasis on national security and infrastructure needs. These areas have been identified as priorities within Canada’s long-term immigration and labour market planning frameworks.
Relevance for Provinces and Programs
Provincial immigration programs, including the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), often align their nomination streams with federal priorities. Updates to Express Entry categories can influence provincial selection strategies, particularly for candidates with experience in transport, management, or research occupations that support local economic growth.
How Category-Based Draws Operate
Express Entry candidates selected through category-based draws must meet both general eligibility requirements and specific occupational or language criteria defined by IRCC. Those invited through these targeted rounds can apply for permanent residence under the relevant federal program. Candidates without Canadian work experience remain eligible through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, though most recent draws have focused on the Canadian Experience Class.
Looking Ahead
The addition of three new occupational categories represents an ongoing adjustment to Canada’s immigration priorities, designed to match evolving labour demands. Further details on eligibility requirements and draw schedules are expected as IRCC releases updated program instructions later in 2026.
For continued coverage on Express Entry and provincial nominee updates, including draw results and policy announcements, follow the latest reports published through Canada’s immigration news network.