Canada Proposes Major Express Entry Overhaul
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has outlined plans to significantly restructure the country’s Express Entry system. The proposal would eliminate the current federal economic immigration programs managed under Express Entry and introduce a single, consolidated pathway.
The changes were detailed in IRCC’s Forward Regulatory Plan for 2026 to 2028. The document sets out regulatory initiatives the department expects to develop or finalize over the next two years.
If implemented, the proposal would represent a major shift in how permanent residence applications for economic immigrants are managed at the federal level.
- IRCC plans to replace three existing Express Entry programs with a single new class
- The Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Skilled Trades programs would be repealed
- The proposal is part of the 2026–2028 Forward Regulatory Plan
- Consultations with stakeholders and the public are expected in spring 2026
- The new system aims to simplify application requirements and processes
Overview of the proposed changes
The regulatory plan indicates that IRCC intends to repeal the three federal immigration programs currently managed under Express Entry. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Class.
In their place, the department proposes creating a single immigration class with streamlined eligibility criteria. Detailed requirements for this new category have not yet been released.
IRCC states that the objective is to create a system that is easier for applicants, employers, and partner organizations to navigate. The department also links the proposed changes to efforts aimed at addressing labour market needs across different sectors.
Consultation and timeline
The proposal remains in an early stage and has not yet been implemented. IRCC has indicated that consultations with provinces, territories, stakeholders, and the public are expected to take place in spring 2026.
Further information is anticipated to be published through the department’s official consultation channels during that period. Regulatory changes would follow standard federal processes before coming into effect.
Background on Express Entry
Express Entry was introduced in 2015 as Canada’s primary system for managing applications for economic immigration. It operates as an online selection system that ranks candidates and issues invitations to apply for permanent residence.
To enter the system, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria of at least one of the existing federal programs. Once admitted to the pool, candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience.
Invitations to apply are issued through periodic draws. Candidates who receive invitations are given a limited timeframe to submit complete applications with supporting documentation.
IRCC has stated that most Express Entry applications are processed within approximately six months. In 2025, nearly 118,000 invitations were issued across various draw categories.
Current federal immigration programs
Canadian Experience Class
This program is designed for individuals with recent skilled work experience in Canada. Applicants are generally required to have completed at least one year of qualifying work within the previous three years, along with meeting language requirements.
The pathway has been used by candidates who have already participated in Canada’s labour market and demonstrated integration through employment.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program targets individuals with skilled work experience, whether gained in Canada or abroad. Applicants must typically demonstrate at least one year of continuous work experience within the past decade.
Selection is based on multiple criteria, including education, language proficiency, work experience, and other human capital factors.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
This program focuses on candidates in specific skilled trades occupations. Eligibility generally includes at least two years of relevant work experience in the past five years.
Applicants must also meet language requirements and hold either a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian authority.
Role of provinces and parallel pathways
While Express Entry manages federal programs, provinces and territories operate their own immigration streams through nominee programs. These programs enable regional governments to select candidates based on local labour market priorities.
Some provincial streams are aligned with Express Entry, allowing candidates to receive additional ranking points. Others operate independently using separate application systems.
Programs such as Manitoba’s nominee pathway continue to function alongside federal systems, with tools such as the Manitoba PNP points calculator used to assess eligibility under regional criteria.
Significance of the proposed reform
The introduction of a single immigration class would mark one of the most substantial changes to Canada’s economic immigration system since Express Entry was launched. The current structure has operated with multiple program-specific criteria for nearly a decade.
IRCC has signalled that the proposed approach is intended to support a broader range of labour market needs while simplifying program design. However, specific eligibility rules, selection methods, and implementation timelines have not yet been disclosed.
Further updates are expected following public consultations and regulatory development. Additional details will clarify how the proposed system will function and how it will integrate with existing immigration pathways.
Ongoing coverage of federal and provincial immigration developments provides further context on how Canada’s selection systems continue to evolve.